Cat, I would think it's probably the Texas Crescent...although I can't remember exactly what they look like at that stage...my memory only gets worse the older I get. I think the only other one I know of that uses the Flame Acanthus is the Crimson Patch.

I've not seen any Crimson Patches lately - just the Texan Crescent. They don't look like the CP caterpillars - so am hoping to have a new species to raise from my yard - come on TC!!! :o)

I found this big cat while watering. I've got some kind of wild dill that grows around here and that was what it was on. A couple of smaller cats on the same kind of plants, too. I had seen a dark butterfly flying around lately. Today I saw the BST laying eggs on one of the Italian parsley, which has gotten tall and is blooming.

Oh, this was one of the AL chrysallises.

And the first AL to emerge was released yesterday.

A 4th instar Two-tailed Tiger cat, the largest of the 3 cats from the Hop Tree.

WOOHOO LINDA!!! Awesome!!!

That one is eating just about nonstop. Even steals food from the other 2 cats. The other two are turning green also.

Nice shots Linda. I had some of the black BST cats one year. Didn't see any diff when they emerged though.

The first one of the TTST cats that were on Hop Tree leaves is pupating now. I took this while it was still moving around. Oh, two of the cats on the black cherry have turned green enough to show eyespots and they look like two-tails also. I'm wondering...are any of those cats on the black cherry leaves TST cats? This seems to be the year of cats on black cherry trees. Not very many on Hop Trees.

Gulf Fritilary liked to feel the breeze next to the AC unit.

Stopped off at the HEB gas station on my way to work this morning. There is booth for the cashier and six sets of pumps. There were hundreds of Checkered Whites perched all over the pumps, concrete columns, display for oil and injector fluid, the booth and even the cashier!!!

He was outside drying off the booth windows as they were covered with dew. He said I should have been there at 5:45am because there were even more Checkered Whites on the windows.

I guess the night time fluorescent lighting attracted them. Okay, no way I'm going to get on the road that early...but I did get a photo of a couple clinging to one of the concrete barricades when I was there around 7:30 this morning.

~ Cat

Vertical puddling?? LOL!

Nice picture Linda, you need to load that one in the database on DG too.

I have seen a lot more action in the air but having gotten pictures. We saw two red admirals this afternoon and earlier a question mark and lots of whites. I need to get some cabbage plants, I intended to put some out earlier this fall and forgot. I have host plants for almost everything else that comes through or my neighbors do; but keep forgetting the whites. Guess that they have found something nearby though since I do see an abundance nectaring.

Anyone from Texas know where I can get a Hop tree? Thanks.

Is it possibe you're going to the RU in San Marcos? I have a few little ones.

This cat really has me wondering. The eyespots of this cat don't look like anything I've seen before. Maybe just a variation or a mutant cat?

Linda...they do look strange, but then I have never seen them in person.
Hey if you have an extra hop I would love it. I plan on coming to San Marcos ...just to meet you!!

I'll save a plant for you, Sheila! Glad you're able to come!

Me too..... now if Cat would drive up I would get to meet her too!

:o) What, are ya'll afraid to drive down to the southern border?

I really need to take time off from work and go on a road trip!!! I keep saying that every year and when I do take days off I get distracted by all the butterflies out here :o)

Trouble is...Texas is so danged big! It takes me about 11 driving hours whether I go north, west or east to get out of the state!!! Funny when I think of the time it takes me to drive to the ranch I could traverse the state of Rhode Island!!!

One of these days...one of these days...hopefully before I croak!!!