This was a surprise for me when I planted pansies last year. The Varigated Fritilary uses a variety of plants like passiflora lutea, incarnata, assorted flax plants, and violets and pansies. So don't get upset when your pansies look "eaten", just watch for the caterpillars and then the butterflies that will follow.

This picture was taken March 22, 2009....but I am looking for them to arrive as soon as warm weather approaches.

This was another unexpected find in the yard one year. It was pupating on a peach tree underneath a Hackberry tree.

Mourning Cloak taken 4-23-07

I will hold off posting my older pictures and wait on the 2010 butterflies from gardens around Texas.

So....if you got'em post'em!!

Well, I've seen this one lately...not sure it's still there, but maybe...the Red Admiral on a plant that blooms early!

Lovely Red Admiral Linda.

This slightly ragged Common Buckeye was resting on a water hose and let me get near enough to take this pic.

I love the buckeyes, but don't get to see many. I would love to see one tattered wing or otherwise.

There's quite a few around. Maybe they're headed that way!

A Bordered Patch nectaring on Buttonbush near a lake area.

And one holding onto a concrete bridge as the wind picks up.

Caught this Pipevine flirting session. Rain moved in before we had any action. But I was excited about the rain so I didn't cry.

Yes, I would be happy if it rained also...it hasn't! This beauty was flitting through the garden...and I suspected what it was, but then it made a beeline for the Spicebush, and I knew. Thing is, I've already got cats on it! So had most of it covered with my screened cage! She fluttered in front and back of that thing, couldn't get to it. So what the heck, I uncovered it! And then the butterfly met the plant, and an egg was laid. She'd already put two eggs on the uncovered itty bitty plant that just about died last year.

You can see the leaves that are already folded on it. Four times eggs were laid already, I think?

Sheila_FW,
I just joined cubits about 2-3 weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised to see this section.
For many yrs. I have been tending, along with birds, butterflies such as planting larval host plants and adult food sources.
What I have dubbed my butterfly bible is, "Butterfly Gardening for the South" by Geyata Ajilvsgi and credit this book with what I've learned and I yet still have so much to learn.
Because I do so love butterflies, I do so hope to be a part of this cubit and learn even more from the people on here.
Thank you,
Kevin 51

Welcome, Kevin 51! If we all share with each other, think how much we can learn! One of the six fall Monarchs that were raised and released here. This was one of the females...hope she'll survive to return in the spring!

LIndaTx8,
Thanks for the warm welcome. Yes, with all of us putting our heads together will help. In an earlier post, I named a book about butterflies and still consider it an all around book for me.
Might you suggest another one? The Fall/Winer will give me time to read through it in time for the Spring/Summer.
Since I made a conscious decision to not use pesticides/herbicides, I've noticed more butterflies than in the past. The only time I use a pesticide is on the fire ant nests which can become quite abundant here. I sprinkle acephate ( I know, don't scream. LOL ) and cover the treated mounds with a milk crate. I've tried all the recommended treatments but to no avail.
The pic. of the Monarch is beautiful. Is is true that all of them have a designated place in Mexico to which they gather during the Winter or are there other places?
Thanks, Lee.

Well, these are my books that help ID butterflies (and some moths) and their caterpillars, as well as giving info about life cycle and such:
Butterflies through Binoculars, The West by Jeffrey Glassberg
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Butterflies
Caterpillars in the Field and Garden, a field guide to the butterfly caterpillars of North America by Allen, Brock, and Glassberg
Caterpillars of Eastern America, by David L. Wagner
And this is a truly great book that tells why we need native plant habitats in our yards or on our properties:
Bringing Nature Home, How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Douglas W. Tallamy

Welcome Kevin....So glad to share experiences with you along the way.
One website that I enjoy is www.dallasbutterflies.com because of the list of host plants by butterfly. Look on the tab called butterfly gardening on that site.

I had this butterfly come through my yard last week or two. My hubby took a great shot....
It is the Goatweed Leafwing...a first for me.

This was my year of the goatweed, I think. Never got to raise any before.

I didn't raise this one or even see it in person...DH grabbed the camera and said something about a question mark butterfly and went out the door. Only later when I saw the picture did I realize it was new to me.