Thanks for the sympathy, Terri. I'm used to losing cats but not whole batches of them. Booooo!
MJ, I like the plant AND the butterfly! I've seen more Tiger STs lately but usually when I'm driving. I keep checking my host plant, though.
Today's pictures are caterpillars because I was at the movies most of the day. Did a double feature - "The Signal" and "The Rover". Because if you don't support independent films, Hollywood will keep making "Transfomers" sequels. Ok, I'll probably see that one, too. Loved that cartoon growing up. Anyway, by the time I made it outside to pick food it was getting pretty cloudy. I hope we get some rain. I had a lady come by the house the other day and talk to my dad and she liked my Angel's Trumpet so much she wanted a cutting. That's the first time in 10 years anyone has ever wanted a cutting from my garden. So cool! She gave me a potted Angel's Trumpet from her yard and brought a bloom from it so I could see the color. Apparently, she doesn't have one in my shade (pink?) and wanted it. Well, Dad forgot to tell me she brought me a potted plant and so it didn't get watered for a few days and it's June in Florida...but I think it's gonna make it. I was just so tickled someone wanted something from my garden and appreciates my flowers (sniff, sniff).
Ok, enough of my blathering on. Here's some pictures! I was up late last night and noticed the Long-Tailed Skippers had come out of their hidey-holes. So here's what they look like.
And today the younger Polydamas cats were snuggling, as Mom says. Did you know a group of caterpillars is called an "army"? Personally, I think the Polydamas should be modified to a "cluster". They seriously hang out like this until they're pretty much in their last instar. It's weird. And yes, I got to clean all that frass and yes it smells like Pipevine. I did upgrade them to a new home today so they have more room to roam.
My Sulphurs are most definitely Orange-Barreds and I found them a new friend today out on the Senna.
Ok, ignore the Orange-Barred Sulphur cat on the left of this picture. I only have so many hands! I wanted to show the three tiny Long-Tailed Skippers preparing to make their homes. You can see how they've each cut into the leaf. Next, they will silk it up and fold the flap over to create their nest.
But when they get really big they make really big nests with multiple leaves. This guy is so big he might be getting ready to make a chrysalis soon. And that is the face of an angry caterpillar. He's mad I ripped apart his home. They're such good architects, too! Just look at all that silk!
And here's a couple of Monarchs because, why not? I don't have hordes of them anymore, but I've got a good, steady population going.
