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Florida Gardening

Butterfly and Moth Sightings

irma_stpete_10a

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Shall we list strange and wonderful Lepidoptera as we find them?

Rustic Sphinx Moth

Today, this giant black & white speckled moth, clinging (barely alive) to the creeping fig on a south-facing wall. Not far from my blooming Coconut Pie Orchid that's been blooming for almost 2 weeks. Maybe he was sipping there at night?

Yesterday, I picked up without thinking, a hairy black ball - apparently the caterpillar of this family. So, it's Sphinx time in my yard!

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Manduca-rustica

Featured Answer

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b

6 years ago

FWIW, moths are sort of "asleep" during the daytime & may seem to be expiring when they're not.

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Comments (6)

Pea
6 years ago
Its been so windy today i don't think i saw any. But i have not been looking. The birds were putting on the show today so i was watching them this eve as i split up and repotted a kalanchoe.
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
6 years ago
Not exactly within the criteria, but I have had lots of hummingbirds. They are in the salvias and tall pentas.

Carol in Jacksonville
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Glenn Jones(9b)
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I'm just not seeing the butterflies. Normally I have plenty but I haven't seen any for weeks.
Pea
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Thats nearly my experience. Hardly any butterflies this year. There are a few small pale yellow and greys ones flitting in the weeds but the usual crowd seems to be missing.
irma_stpete_10a
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Carol, when I nudged it, it didn't respond. Was in hot sun, not camouflaged. But, might have flown away later?

Glenn, because of the rain you recently had, maybe you'll see some soon.

I've had plenty lately, with no rain. But, I (hand) water almost every day.

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