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Butterfly Garden

Guess the season is over

16 years ago

My last group of Zebra Longwing cats didn't make it though to chrysalis stage. I don't know if the vine wasn't in good enough shape to nourish them or if the temps were just cool enough to stop their development. I did release 3 butterflies the other day but then it has turned cooler so I don't know if they moved south or if they will return. Either way, I don't think any more eggs will hatch even if they lay.

Polydamas and Gulf Frits are still laying and I have seen babies on the vines (Suberosa now for the GFs.) Polys usually leave when the weather turns cooler and stays cooler while I see GFs all winter on warm days.

There is an occasional Monarch flying around but haven't seen any cats.

I have 7 Spicebush in chrysalis, 1 Pipevine, 1 more ZLW.

Well, it is November now so I guess I should count my blessings for the fact that the season has lasted as long as it has.

Seems like the postings are dropping off here too. I will check back to see whats going on with everyone else.

Have a good one.

Mary

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Comments (7)

jwink246
16 years ago
I have 7 Monarch Chrysalids and two cats in the 4th instar and one in the 3rd instar. I hope they make it.
mboston_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
If you are in zone9 in Florida, then you should be okay.
They don't overwinter as Swallowtails do but will emerge this time of year.
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bigthicketgardens
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I've had monarchs overwinter(or nearly) in my garden as pupae. They emerged in late winter on a warm day. They were pupae for over two months.
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I have several 1st instar Queens, and too many to count PVS cats in all stages. I'm still seeing quite a few queens, monarchs, sulfurs, QM, goatweed leafwings, and red admirals flying. Of course, our weather has been dry with temps into the mid 80's. We're hoping to get some rain soon...
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16 years ago
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tdogmom
16 years ago
I'm STILL collecting Monarch eggs. My two GST eggs hatched this morning. For me, this has been a most UNUSUAL fall. I am collecting eggs fairly regularly, on a daily basis. True, I am not collecting a LOT but still...to be collecting ANY is a boon. :)
biophilia
16 years ago
My most common current residents are a gazillion Gulf Fritillaries. I'll go out and see how many eggs I can count on one Passionvine leaf, later. We also have Ocala Skippers, a few Monarchs, Variegated Fritillaries, very few Spicebush Sw., lots of Buckeyes, lots of Common Checkered Skippers, some fiery Skippers, Long-tailed Skippers, Viceroys and a couple of American Painted Ladies which just started showing up for the first time in months.

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I keep finding Longtailed Skipper eggs on the wrong things, like my Pipevine and even my Matalea gonocarpa (more closely related to Milkweed than to legumes)! The cats make little tents, then die out. I tried moving little cats to Wisteria, but they didn't eat it. I was successful at moving their eggs to Wisteria, though, and when they hatched they ate it happily.

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?what to do with this little guy?

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