Butterflies you raise, but do not have

15 years ago

I've had multiple generations of BSTs, but the ONE time I have EVER seen one in my yard (except when releasing them) was a female laying eggs--I never, ever see them just flying around or nectaring. And yet, they must be coming back, because I'll find cats in my herb garden again and again.

I'm trying to increase the number of nectar plants I have (lantana, pentas, mums, salvias, wildflowers--oh GSTS, what else do you want?!) by adding a few every week. Meanwhile, I have to ask--why don't I ever SEE any BSTS?! They obviously live in the area, and they obviously come around my plants. I think they must be ninja-butterflies--you don't know they were there until they're already gone. (I feel like a parent: "I raised you! You ate me out of house and home! You come back and expect me to take care of your babies, but do you ever stop to visit? Nooooo! Why can't you be more like your cousin [gulf frit, which I find to be a very content-to-stay-around butterfly]? You are so ungrateful!"

Does anybody else actually raise butterflies that your garden never seems to have?

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Comments (8)

MissMyGardens
15 years ago
Yes...Monarchs!

LOL...your tsk,tsk narrative is hysterical.

Yesireebob...Monarchs need varying size containers, poop their brains out, get washed milkweed leaves on a silver platter and containers cleaned twice a day. Do they come back to just say "hi"....not a chance...LOL.

The BSTs liked Zinnia best for nectaring. Guess the horrendous foliage, if you can call it that, doesn't bother them...LOL. I didn't see one before finding tiny cats on potted fennel. After I released the 3 males and 1 female I saw BSTs nectaring for a while on Zinnia and then started to see aging BSTs with tails and outter wing parts missing. I have no way of knowing if they were "my babies" but I'm guessing they were. I felt so bad for them looking so tattered and faded. Cycle of life I have to accept for them as they're so relatively short lived...
but I love them.

Alas, the four I raised are gone now and don't seem to have left me any babies to overwinter. I miss them.
texaspuddyprint
15 years ago
Ha! Ha! We must have the same Ninja BSTs!!! I find eggs on my rue and do the raise and release but do I ever see one in my yard nectaring? Noooooooo!!!

Then again, knowing the sense of humor of some butterflies they must be lying in wait until I leave for work :o)

Must agree with newbie - the BSTs love zinnias.

~ Cat
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gcertain
15 years ago
I just checked through my BST pictures, and they divide about equally (those that are not cats or eggs) among Mexican Sunflower, Buddleia and Zinnia. None on Lantana, Echinacea, Salvia, Cassia, Cosmos, or any of the other nectar plants that other butterflies like. They do come to my garden regularly and are very cooperative in posing for pictures, but the ones I've reared don't seem to hang around for long. That's OK, as long as they leave me some eggs.
geni
MissMyGardens
15 years ago
The rabbits and groundhogs at ALL 50 of the Cosmos seedlings I planted. Seeing as how there isn't much sun around my father's (where I plant) I have no idea how they would've grown without full sunlight but it was my first year trying to grow from seed and didn't think I'd have success germinating. I had success but was robbed by the critters again...LOL.

They ate back the 3 Tithonia I grew in a huge container (to place in sunlight) with 3' chicken wire extensions around it until they found more interesting things to eat and entertain themselves... probably making MORE rabbits! Darn things just started blooming last week. At least the bees are happy.
tracey_nj6
15 years ago
Oooooh, I've seen the elusive Ninja BST's. They're soooooo purty.

That truly was hysterical laurellily!
"I raised you! You ate me out of house and home! You come back and expect me to take care of your babies, but do you ever stop to visit? Nooooo!"
susanlynne48
15 years ago
This is the first year I have ever actually SEEN the BSTs in the garden, and they have been all over - the Rue in the backyard, the Rue in the front yard, and the 6 or 7 fennel plants I'm growing as well. I have had them all summer, from late spring until present.

I have been growing their host plants for several years and had never actually seen the mama's laying eggs until this year. So be patient, and once your host plants begin to multiply, you'll be seeing them.

Susan
tiffy_z5_6_can
15 years ago
I used to work all day until 5pm and then this year work from 6am to 2pm, so I'm home by 2:30. Sure makes a big difference!! I have no idea where they go at supper, but they do disappear.

Now I get to enjoy them as soon as I get home. :O)
virginia-garden
15 years ago
When I first found my BST cats, I told the forum that I found Tiger cats. I didn't know they were BST's because I never see them in my yard! I just assumed they were Eastern Tigers because those are the butterflies I see in my garden all the time! I guess the BST's sneak in while I'm at work.

Hmmm....think my boss would let me leave early if I tell her I need to get home to see my butterflies? :)

Butterflies you raise, but do not have

Comments (8)

MissMyGardens

texaspuddyprint

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