Monthly Archives: August 2022

Diving in

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I have read that the populations of gulf fritillaries peak from August through November in the southern states and Texas. I had six flying in the garden this morning, each visiting a nectar plant.

This butterfly cannot survive in weather that is below 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

This butterfly is among the “brush-footed” family. They get this name from the short hairs on the front of their legs.

They are a lot of fun to watch as they have an erratic flight getting to their destination. If you’re fast enough, you can capture some great photos when they stop on a nectar plant.

Two more

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Did you know that the legs of a butterfly contains bristly hairs, which are used as their smell and taste sensors? It definitely tickles when they walk on your fingers. The legs also have a hook at the end, which helps the butterfly hang on.

I have also read that a butterfly can fly anywhere between 5 to 12 miles per hour, compared to skippers who can fly up to 37 miles per hour.

Another interesting fact I read . . . the female monarch butterfly, which is pictured above, will lay up to 100 eggs and if lucky two of those will make it through all stages and become a butterfly. That statistic alone makes me feel good that we are raising caterpillars into butterflies, helping the success rate of the monarch butterfly.

Rest after molting

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The polydamas, also known as the gold rim swallowtail, tailless swallowtail and scientific name Battus polydamas lucayus, lays its eggs on the Dutchman pipe. The three Dutchman pipe plants have tons of caterpillars once again.

The caterpillar will go through four instars, 19 to 24 days, before it’s ready to form its chrysalis. The caterpillars are mostly dark purple brown with orange tubercles, but can come in a lighter version as well. They have a black head, prothorax top is orange and short dark stripes.Each time it molts its skin, the caterpillar will consume its exoskeleton to conserve the nutrients.

The polydamas swallowtail caterpillars feed in groups when they are small, devouring the youngest leaves, as well as flowers before moving onto the older portions of the Dutchman pipe. The caterpillars grow up to 2.1″ in length. Caterpillars can be found throughout the year in southern Florida.

The white caterpillar is back

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The zebra longwing caterpillar is back in our garden munching away. The caterpillar will molt five times before creating its chrysalis.

An interesting fact about this species is the zebra longwing males mate with a female before it emerges from its chrysalis, which is often hard to find due to its brown leaf like coloring. Once found, the male, through its senses, will continually perch on the chrysalis after it is determined a female. The male will fend off other males by opening its wings. For several hours the mating takes place, and the female emerges expanding her wings during the process, according to the Florida Museum of National History. While mating, the male transfers its repellent, claiming her as his.