Monthly Archives: April 2023

15 more

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Today we had 15 more great southern white butterflies emerge in our butterfly house. They had to remain in the house for quite some time as we had a pretty bad storm this morning and the wind was crazy strong. Some of them were super eager to fly away, while others allowed us to bring them to some nectar flowers in our front garden. My daughter was ecstatic that some stayed with her for a while. So special when she talks to them and names them. The passion will continue to another generation.

We had lots of females and males. The females are darker in color and have black cell spots on their forewing, while the males are mostly white.

The best part is we have so many great southern white butterflies flying around all of our gardens. It’s absolutely stunning to spot the white when the males are flying, as well as the darker shades, while the females are fluttering by.

My first

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It was an incredibly successful day in our butterfly house! We had a total of 12 great southern white butterflies emerge, with many more to go. I know I have said this a million times before, but it is incredible to hold a new species, especially when they hang out for a very long time, letting you take a ton of photographs. My daughter even had an opportunity to hold a few at a time.

The great southern white is among the pieridae/whites and sulphur family. The male is white with black forewing apex, while the female is a dirty white to gray with black forewing apex and black forewing cell spot. I have also read that the female become more grayish during the wet season. Their wingspan is about 45-58 mm and can be found in every county in Florida.

Finally done

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As always, it was fascinating to watch the lifecycle of a new species up close and personal in our butterfly house. I am happy to say that our great southern white caterpillars are finally done eating and have all found their final destination to make their chrysalis. They are everywhere inside the butterfly house, some with two or three in a row. I am excited to see them all emerge and flutter away in the garden.

My heart is so happy. Sometimes you have to give yourself credit, so here it goes.

I was surprised with a bouquet of pepperweed today, which absolutely warmed my heart. My daughter found the pepperweed while she was at recess at school and decided to pick it for me because “here, Mom, food for the caterpillars.” The expression on her face was heartwarming. It’s incredible, really, for a 6 year old, to remember what pepperweed looks like among the rest of the grass. This amazing little girl retains so much knowledge.

Almost 3 years ago we began dipping our fingers into the soil planting our first butterfly garden. I have so happy she shares my joy and remembers the names of all the butterfly species, host and nectar plants. The best part – that excitement we share together of this beautiful, rewarding hobby.

So, I think I have finally found a way to regrow the pepperweed after it is picked. I was able to see the seeds when the leaves dried out, which are now in the dirt, hopefully, popping up soon.

Two fat boys

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With my butterfly house currently occupying another species of caterpillars, I am leaving the monarch caterpillars in the garden. It has been fun finding the fat boys either on or near milkweed throughout the garden. The first monarch caterpillar is resting on a coreopsis, the Florida wildflower, while the other was chomping away on the giant milkweed.

Although we have butterflies year round in Florida, the visitors to the garden sure has multiplied since the temperatures have become a consistent 80 to 90 degrees.