And Kurt's a good Butterfly Whisperer!

Okay, here's my big news, the first one of the Monarch cats is just today a new chrysallis! And here it is before, when it was a cat, eating Antelope Horns buds. I had found two on roadside milkweed, about 3rd instar at the time, The second one is now hanging in a J.

I also have 3 more Monarch cats. Then there's a little Queen cat, which I found as an egg on my own milkweed.
It has 3 pairs of feelers instead of 2 pairs for Monarchs.

Raising the Crimson Patch cats has been quite a experience!

I've been raising about 30 or so. Most look 5th instar now, so shouldn't be long. But today I was pruning out some dead branches on the Flame Acanthus plants outside and one part look bad...then I spotted frass! Yep, there's more outside! How did I not see them?

Oh, yeah, the tigers! Three Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtails changed colors and now they are in the process of pupating. One was smaller and has now turned green. One cat before it turned color to pupate and one afterward.


Okay, sorry...left off the Monarch cat eating Antelope Horns buds:

Linda you are really lucky and busy, I envy you all that fun.

Very impressive, Linda! I'd love to see a Crimson Patch!!!

You never know, GrammaChar! The Crimson Patch may end up moving north a ways!

I am holding my fingers crossed for the Crimson Patch as well.

Story from Austin: http://www.greatstems.com/2011...
And that is from 2011!

Not the best pic, but it is my 2nd BF this year - Painted Lady

BST Male #10 emerged a little later then normal ,
I'm glad I went back and checked before dark. I offered him a finger to climb on , held him up in the air and away he went.



yesterday's male and female stayed on the parsley all night and I did see a male flying around the yard today.

I have my first gulf ftit ready to emerge. Havent gotten the swallowtails to leave me anything yet. Monarchs not as plentiful as last year, but release about one or two a day. Im really having a hard time with the lizards this year getting first dibs.

I haven't seen any here in W Washington except a tiny blue one - but we just returned from a trip to Texas (Fredericksburg area) and there were wildflowers and butterflies everywhere! Here is a Variegated Frittillary Butterfly -

Beautiful butterfly Patty but that is a Variegated fritillary.

Here is an Orange Mint Moth about the size of your little fingernail ,

Pretty little moth.

Oops! Thanks for the correction, Josephine! I read the name that was under the image instead of on top - and didn't double check it.

I am still seeing some Red Admiral here , thought I saw a BST a few days ago

Patty we all get corrected or similar here once in a while , My early times here , That Millie Girl uh - hum , Named Melanie , and my expression of calling Larvae ,little green worms ..
Melanie was quick to correct me and a few ID's also .. to Melanie

Melanie is on sabbatical. Bad depressive episode, but feeling better now. Leaving for Amsterdam tomorrow. Almost today. Monday. Anyway, someone be sure and start a new thread for May because I don't get back until the 6th and I'll probably go comatose for a few days to recover.

Patty, we all make mistakes, no problem at all

Mellie, I hope you will have a good trip, maybe it will cheer you up.