You've got good eyesight (which I don't). When they grow a bit, it will be easier for me to see. But thanks for the ID.

Dang, Char got one of each! Super jealous! I agree with Kurt's ID. See the little bits of orange on the top one? That means it's a Black ST.

And no pressure to anyone who doesn't want to raise caterpillars. Just planting for them is enough and let nature's cycle work itself out in your garden. I find it lots of fun, but there are times I don't want to get out of bed to go fetch them food in 90 degree weather.

David, you have many years to look forward to! And we can spend all winter planning and looking at the beautiful butterflies that I post! Oh yeah, and the other Southerners. I hope our international friends join in, too!

Josephine is right. It started with a Gulf Fritillary...and now I moderate this forum!

Jack, I hear your Pearl Crescent singing "I Will Survive"!

I got this today . Yesterday I was watching sulphurs near a parking lot field

A different looking woolly bear

Just dropping in to let you guys know we were the sixth most active thread on the site last week! Keep up the good work!

Couple days ago I discovered a swallowtail cat getting ready to transform on my small Tulip Poplar tree. It had laid out some silk. Then it went into a holding pattern and looked the same for the past 30 + hours. After it has formed chrysalis I am torn whether to leave it in peace or at least bring it into my garage.

Well, if it was on Tulip Poplar I'd say it's a Tiger Swallowtail. That's what they host on in WV, probably because there's so much of it. Not big trees, though. They cut all those down. Your call, but at least taking care of a chrysalis is the easy part! Worst case scenario, it's parasatized or diseased. FYI, did it turn brown? Because Tiger cats are green and white until they're about to pupate. Then, they turn brown and white. Also, you didn't take pictures?

could be a Spicebush ST , they use Tulip Trees as host plants too.

I've never found a Spicebush on Tulip Poplar. They like Sassafras and Spicebush too much, I think! And of course, down in FL they use Red Bay, Swamp Bay, and even invasive Camphor Tree. I still can't figure out why the caterpillars that eat the nicest smelling food have the most foul smelling stinkhorns.

well if my tulip tree sprout ever grows up they both better use it for a host plant

If you plant it, they will come...

[quote="mellielong" FYI, did it turn brown? Because Tiger cats are green and white until they're about to pupate. Then, they turn brown and white. Also, you didn't take pictures? [/quote]

It is still green. He crawled away for a day and then returned. He has put some silk out, but not a lot. Otherwise, it does look healthy still.

We did get a new camera and I got some pics. So far we have not figured out how to download the pics. 12 pages of instructions It is a royal pain! Previous camera, hooked a cable and they started downloading.

I promise - I will have some pics.

Well y'all are talking to me today! This tulip poplar was a volunteer in my yard and I transplanted it to a sunny spot this spring. I saw one of the leaves was turned under and I found this fella. My camera doesn't do too hot on close ups but here it is anyway. None of the leaves have been eaten.


And my pride and joys, Black Swallowtails cats. Enlarge to see them all!

Kabby
LOL you certainly got Egg Bombed! I counted something like 19. I can almost hear them chewing.
Oh and 25 in the other photo-- Whoa

Jim, Love that Tiger Moth caterpillar. He IS an unusual color!!! Wonder why? Mine here this year are all redheads so far:

A few days ago I spotted some large frass pellets and thinking it was from the huge Black Walnut tree above, I took pics and tried to imagine what large moth cat could be over my head.


Right away I looked at the photo on my phone to see if was blurry like it so often is ,,,,but then I spotted something over to the far left. Well :doh:
The culprit was practically right under my nose :



And now for the sad but still happy parting. This was my last Monarch butterfly released last week. Since David named his "Only child" Alpha, I'm going to name this last of the many Monarch children, this strapping large male, "Omega"

Kabby, that looks like some kind of moth on the Tulip Poplar since that looks like a cocoon. And that's a ton of Black Swallowtails!

Cheryl, glad to see you're still seeing some action. I wish your Monarch safe travels!

Enjoy your vacation, Melanie! I was in town for a plant swap on Saturday and spotted something interesting on my way there, so later I stopped on my way home to investigate. Parked in a parking lot in front of San Antonio's new aquarium was this trailer hooked up to a vehicle. The older guy fiddling with the hitch said he raises the butterflies, so I asked him if I could go in and look around, happened to have my camera in the car, so asked if I could take that also. He said it was okay, and asked if I'd like to spray some water from the green bottle inside, because it was a bit hot. So I did! I discovered that the Monarch cats were in two separate places, first in a butterfly tent enclosure and also in a separate section at the far side of the trailer that had a screened door. And the adult Monarchs were free inside the trailer.

That is quite interesting, a traveling Monarch farm, I wonder if he releases them or raises them to sell the eggs.

I wonder if I can change my title to "traveling non-profit butterfly farmer". Like Johnny Appleseed, but I will plant the land with milkweed and release Monarchs along the way! Also, if I saw that parked somewhere I would be having a major freak out of happiness.

Okay, time to finish packing the bags and get ready to hop in the car. Can't check in until 3pm so I get to take it leisurely. After last night's debate, I was yelling, "I need a vacation!" I was exhausted just watching that mess!

mellielong said:

Okay, time to finish packing the bags and get ready to hop in the car. Can't check in until 3pm so I get to take it leisurely. After last night's debate, I was yelling, "I need a vacation!" I was exhausted just watching that mess!

Hmmmmm ok....... spare time until 3pm, post not made until 10:30 today, staying on the left coast. Approx 3 hours from Tampa to the Naples area. Maybe Sanibel?? Nah that's a sheller thing, I would do. Maybe another hour and a half to the Everglades for an airboat ride and a swamp crawl?? That'd be really special with photos to boot. Unless of course you head north to Wakulla Springs about 3 or 4 hours??/ The suspense is getting to me!

Linda, How neat was that! I wonder if he does it for an organization or on his own? That would so such a fun job! Thanks for sharing with us.