Whew, I played with my new camera and had a glass of Peach Lemonade. Things are all right in the world.
First up, I was checking my host plants when I saw frass on the Rue. (Frass is insect poop.) I got excited, but then suspicious because that frass is pretty big. I would see a caterpillar that size. And sure enough, on my nearby Salvia 'Black and Blue" I found a Tussock Moth.
I then checked the Pipevine, and because it's growing through the fence, I walked around to check the little bit that's growing on the other side. Good thing I did because I found two eggs and one just-hatched baby caterpillar! They eat their egg as their first meal so that's what he's doing.
I didn't want to lose anyone, so I brought the cats back in the house. And while I was in there, I took photos of everyone! The smaller of the Red Admiral cats is about to molt again. See how his head capsule is detached and he's forming a new (and larger) one underneath?
The other one became a chrysalis!
One chrysalis that always gets a lot of attention at MOSI is the Zebra Longwing. Yeah, they look crazy. And people are always like, "Are those horns on it?" I think it's just trying to look scary.
The other Zebra Longwing is still a caterpillar. You can see where the shed skin is from the other one that made the chrysalis.
My Pipevine Swallowtails are looking plump and juicy! And I mean that in a good, healthy way. I love fat caterpillars!
Break time was over so I went back outside. I found a few Gulf Fritillary cats in need of transport to a larger plant.
Duskywings are back! I hadn't thought about it until I saw this one, but it's been a while. They really get mad if I don't have Spanish Needles for them. I've seen them on other plants, but that seems to be their favorite.
My Ceraunus Blues are looking a little worn!
This Dainty Sulphur was giving me fits. Would not hold still!
The whole time I was out there I saw a Gulf Frit that seemed like it wanted to lay eggs, but kept dancing all around the Corkystem Passion Vine but never actually landing on it and laying an egg. It finally stopped for one second to hit up the P. 'Lavender Lady'. Then, it went back to flying around the host plant like it couldn't quite figure out what to do.
