Okay, Mom's computer recognizes my camera so here's today's pictures! It's kind of cloudy and a little breezy out there. I should have worked outside today but there's also a 50% chance of rain so that might not have worked out. Anyway, one of my Florida Facebook groups asked what was fluttering around our yards today and posted three pictures of butterflies (Zebra Longwing, Gulf Frit, and a Black ST). Well, I took that as a direct challenge.
First up, I said I was waiting on a Palamedes ST to emerge. You can even see the stripes on its body which is one way to distinguish it from other Swallowtails. Spicebush and Black STs have spotted bodies.
The Zebra Longwing chrysalis on the obelisk emerged! Could it be this one that was flying around the garden this morning?
Then, I got real excited because I found two Giant ST eggs on my rue! I thought to myself, "I should go back in the house and get a container." But I didn't and used my hand instead. I only found two eggs and I knocked one of them off somehow! First, what kind of butterfly only lays two eggs (one on each of the two Rue plants all the way to the right) when I have eight Rue plants? And then said butterfly doesn't use enough egg glue? So now I have one egg.
Maybe she'll come back to visit. Anyway, just so we all learn something...both the Giant and the Black ST use Rue as a host plant which is pretty much why I plant it. More bang for your buck, especially in a small garden. So how do you tell which is which? Pretty easy. Giant Swallowtail eggs are reddish-orange and Black ST eggs are cream colored or yellowish.
Speaking of eggs, the Gulf Frits were doing their acrobatic egg laying on the Passiflora 'Lavender Lady'.
Even though I already have plenty of caterpillars on the vine. Sing it with me, folks! "Ebony, ivory, living in harmony..."
