I've seen that too. I know that butterflies often use the sun to regulate their temperature, and caterpillars probably do that somewhat also. And some species must be more cold-hardy than others. I know the Monarch caterpillars and some others can tolerate mild freezes. I've seen Gulf Fritillary caterpillars survive freezes and the butterflies sometimes stay well into the winter here. But there must be minimum temps for caterpillars, otherwise reproduction would just continue during the winter. I've got a little Monarch caterpillar I'm raising. Didn't see the mother and there were Queen butterflies around the day I found it, so I thought all the eggs were Queen eggs. I've since seen Monarchs butterflies, two were flying around elsewhere when I was away from home and one also came into my yard for a brief time to nectar. It's sad that there are so few of them. In the past, there were sometimes a lot of them this time of year (it's peak migration time here).

But

angele said:hi everybody. I've got a question for you. Is there a point at which the night time low temperatures become too low for caterpillars? I have a pretty good size black swallowtail cat on the fennel & would prefer to just let it be but our nights are getting pretty cold; low 40s and upper 30s. Then, there are some real small ones on the parsley too. The caterpillars are definitely in torpor first thing in the morning but as soon as the sun hits them they start getting active.

So glad that you popped in Linda! I read Angele's question, and was kind of dumbfounded! I don't know that I'd ever experienced cats in our North Florida 'winters'...

White Marked Tussock Moth cat


Gulf Frit with a badly damaged wing

Ann: That moth caterpillar is so cool! I love the photo of the Gulf Frit on that bloom; it's amazing how they still manage to fly sometimes with damaged wings like that.

I was outside taking sunset pic's a little while ago and there were bunches of big moths buzzing around the Pentas.

Mournful Sphinx Moth:

Cool Sphinx Lin!

That tussock stings like saddlebacks do & it was right where we walk past the car. They may look neat but no touchy!!!!! I already told dh & within 5 mins. he almost brushed his shoulder against it so it has been moved.

Oh my ... I didn't realize they were stingers; something so pretty .... yet so not nice!

A Gulf Fritillary was flitting about the Pentas flowers this morning:

Nice pics. I didn't know thaty about the tussock either.

jmorth said:Nice pics. I didn't know thaty about the tussock either.

I'm a worry wart so I check things out.

We had my 45th high school reunion at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, this past weekend. While there I visited the Day Butterfly Conservatory. There did not seemed to be a great variety there but the Blue Morphs were all over the place. Sorry for the photo quality but I had my travel camera and nothing would really be still long enough for a good photo because of all the people. The only butterfly I am able to identify with any certainty is the Cloudless Sulphur in the last photo.

Wow David! Some gorgeous butterflies! I think 4 & 5 might be Buckeyes. J would be better able to tell us.

Beautiful shots Dave! I especially love that 6th photo; the butterfly with the pretty bright blue in it's wings; I don't know which one it is but it's gorgeous! And photo #1 is a great shot of those beautiful tropical plants!!

I went to Callaway Gardens one summer many years ago; fabulous place ... and I remember that butterfly conservatory well, there were hundreds of B'flies everywhere.

Nice butterflies, Dave! When I go driving around some days, the skies are just alive with many butterflies! We're experiencing one of our periodic influxes of snout butterflies. Tons of them. I know there could possibly be a few other small kinds of butterflies mixed in with them...hard to tell. The influx should drive up business at the carwashes. I saw at least one Monarch flying by today, maybe two. My Monarch caterpillar seems to be doing well so far. I'll soon have my own computer connected back up and updated, so maybe I will be able to post pictures again after that.

Since I post more here than I do anywhere else on the forum I thought that I would share with you that it is a very sad day today at our home, Happily EverAfter. Our beloved Gordon Setter, Maggie, Springset Yesterday Once More, is in total renal failure and we have to say good bye to her. She has been a precious member of our family for 14 years and our hearts are broken. We are thankful for all the joy she has brought us over the years and our memories of her will not fade. If you have the time and the inclination please say a prayer for us tomorrow morning.

Sorry for your loss.

Oh my Dave…What a beauty she is, and my heart is heavy tonight for her, and you. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and she, as you both go through what is sure to be a very difficult time. Prayers are, and will, be said for you, and she, as the hours and days pass.
My prayers to your family, and to your dear Maggie.

Dave, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Maggie, my condolences to you and your family.

Dave, I looked at that picture and I see why you care so much about that dog! Hoping Maggie can be kept comfortable until she crosses over the Rainbow Bridge. So sorry, Dave. My heart goes out to your family.

Dave, for you, and your family,



Sleep


Your suffering shall end soon,
though mine has just begun.
I do not want to let you go,
But I’m told the time has come.

I’ll hold you while you go to sleep,
and wish that I could too–
I do not want to say goodbye;
I want to go with you.

Sleep now, my precious baby,
Dream of your favorite toy,
And hide n’ seek and tug of war–
Those games that brought us joy.

I’ll think how very blessed I've been
For all the years we've shared,
I'd not trade them for anything–
Though this heartbreak would be spared.

© 1993 Kathy S. Doerr

Dave:

You and your family (Maggie included) are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry that you will be losing your beautiful, beloved girl. The following has always brought a bit of comfort when we've had to say farewell to our pets: http://www.indigo.org/rainbowb...