Sunday, August 28, 2011

Butterflies and caterpillars

I snapped the picture of this Queen caterpillar yesterday. Today it is a chrysalis.

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Aren’t the colors beautiful? It really is much more beautiful than the Monarch caterpillar. The one below is at least 3” long. Should be heading for the top soon.

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Here are  a Monarch and Queen caterpillar, side by side, about the same size….about an inch long…so they haven’t gotten their full color yet.

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I’ve had several butterflies in the yard today…Monarchs, Giant Swallowtails, Yellow Sulphurs….none of them were posing for pictures.

This Gulf Fritillary on the Buddleia  plant cooperatered a bit.

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There were 3 Queens flying around. I love their deep color.

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I have 15 Queen caterpillars and 22 Monarch caterpillars  in the Butterfly House.  I think I only had 2 Queens in the 250 that were in there a few months ago.

I want to get a Dutchman’s Pipe vine plant and see if I can get Pipeline Swallowtails here too.

3 comments:

  1. You have really scored on the caterpillars. That Queen is gorgeous. Not that they all aren't.

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  2. I have not seen any up here this year and there are no butterflies either. So I am missing both stages.

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  3. You're certainly attracting the butterflies.
    A great feeling to be helping nature along like that.

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