Ants most definately eat butterfly eggs and 1st instar caterpillars (See below a section of an abstract). In fact, many plants, such as Senna, have what are called "extra floral nectaries". These are areas (usually little protruberances) that secrete nectar to attract ants. The ants in turn protect the plant from herbivores. There are lots of other things that eat eggs as well, ladybugs, tree crickets, lacewing nymphs. In addition, small wasps called chaclids, can lay their eggs inside butterfly eggs. This is why we often collect eggs and bring them to a safe place to raise. By the way, I have see a lot of chrysalises eaten by ants as well. They leave a nice neat hole, a little smaller than a pencil eraser. -Elisabeth Abstract I investigated variation in the effect of ants at extrafloral nectaries on the plant reproductive success among three populations of Cassia fasciculata (Leguminosae) in northern Florida. Results show that the possession of extrafloral nectaries can lead to increased reproduction. Density of ants and removal of experimentally placed Drosophila larvae were far higher on C. fasciculata than on nonnectariferous background plants. Ants preyed on eggs and small larvae of lepidopteran herbivores. C. fasciculata plants from which ants were excluded had more larvae of the major seed pod predator Phoebis sennae (Pieridae; Lepidoptera), suffered higher pod predation (at one site), and had lower reproductive output (at two sites) than did control plants to which ants had access. Effects of extrafloral nectaries on reproduction of C. fasciculata varied among the three populations, due apparently to differences in density of ants and potential herbivores.

Hey everyone, there are actually 2 very very simular looking caterpillars and they both feed on Hackberry..: the first one is the TAWNY EMPEROR caterpillar: it is mostly green and has 2 wide yellow stripes on its uppersides and straight yellow bands on its lower sides.The adult has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. the second one is the HACKBERRY BUTTERFLY caterpillar:it looks very much like the first one mentioned,but this one has yellowish V-markings along the sides,the narrow bands on upper sides are more narrow.The knobs on the head are usually longer than the ones from the Tawny Emperor. This Butterfly is with his 2 inches wingspan a lil smaller than the T.E. and also the colors are a lil lighter. The Hackberry Butterfly is more common.. Butterfly-Greetings Susanne(SUE) Hackberry Butterfly: http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg284.html Here is a link that might be useful: Tawny Emperor

I'm live in PA and agree with mostone about the tropical milkweed. It's the only kind I have here anymore. I don't have to worry about it spreading all over the place, the butterflies prefer it here to any other milkweed I've tried, and it blooms up until the frost. That takes care of the Monarchs. Now, it just depends what kind of butterflies you want to attract and you can go from there with what kind of plants to plant. Both Black Swallowtails and Giant Swallowtails lay their eggs on rue (make sure it's Ruta graveolens). False nettle is a host plant for Red Admirals, Question Marks, and Eastern Commas. Cassia hebecarpa is host for Clouded Sulphurs, Clouded Sulphurs, Little Yellows, and Sleepy Oranges. Lupinus perennis is host for various types of butterflies. Violets are a host for various types of fritillaries. The Variegated Fritillary cats will also eat passionvine (as does the Gulf Fritillary, but you probably don't get those there). Baptisia australis (wild indigo) hosts a bunch of different kinds of butterfly cats. If you want to attract Zebra Swallowtails, plant paw paw trees, and you'll have the bonus of getting fruit from them. I could name many more garden plants, bushes and trees for you that are butterfly host plants, but I really don't know what you're looking to attract. For nectar plants I highly recommend Verbena bonariensis, which is a prolific seeder, but the butterflies just love it. I get more butterflies and a greater variety of them on that plant than any other kind that I have in the garden. Today I had dozens of Common Buckeyes and skippers on mine. Cathy

Hi Angie, I'm glad to hear that the Pawpaws are doing well. Yours are bigger than mine because I didn't get mine in the ground as soon as I had wanted to, but at least they're living. I hope that if I do get ZSTs that they hold off until the trees are bigger. I'd hate to run out of food for the caterpillars. My trees are maybe 1-1/2 ft tall. I know that yours look great! I have 12 growing in our backyard and a bunch more growing in the woods. I get the idea that Pawpaws aren't very well known around here; I don't know of anyone who has planted them, but surely someone around the area besides me has planted some. I just never hear anyone talk about them. Congrats on seeing your first Viceroy! I saw my first one last year, and I saw one here this year too. Thank goodness I had my phone in my pocket when I was outside or another picture opportunity would have been missed. It's not the greatest picture, but at least a person looking at it would be able to tell that it's a Viceroy and not a Monarch. Both times I saw one I had to do a double take. I think it's pretty easy to see right away that it's not a Monarch because I think something about the coloring is just a little bit off of that of the Monarch. Not much, but it's there. I haven't seen Zebras yet at all, but I'll just be patient. I'm trusting that they'll find me someday. I think it's great that you got to see one last year, and I hope it won't be too long before you see them again. I've only even seen Mourning Cloaks here a few times and none this year. I gave up on the rotted fruit trick here because I don't have much success with it at all except for attracting lots of flies, yellow jackets and other undesirables. I did get a Question Mark on it one time a few years ago, but I can see them anyway when I raise them. Right now I have a cat on a hackberry tree. I hope it grows in time before it gets too cold here; it's not all that big yet. I wouldn't blame it if it thinks it has plenty of time; it was 91 deg. here yesterday, low 80's today, and 92 predicted for tomorrow. After that though it's supposed to go down to the seventies, which is what it usually is here this time of the year. This year has been really strange! I'm sorry to hear that you ran out of food for the SBST cats, but thank goodness at least there was an alternative closeby. I still think it's neat how you and Rachel are both into butterfly gardening! It was nice to hear from you. Sorry I don't post much, but I read pretty many posts. I think about you a lot and hope that things are going well. Cathy