The scorpion tail is an absolute favorite of all the little butterflies. This morning I was thrilled to spot a hairstreak in the garden this morning. My eye sure has become trained to spot such littles. I was even more thrilled it was not bothered by me snapping tons of photographs as it moved its wings.
The garden was alive and well early this morning with newly emerged monarch butterflies drying their wings, while others were sipping nectar and laying eggs. Although we see butterflies all year in Southwest Florida, I love this time of year, as more seem to visit the garden, leaving behind eggs for more generations to come, or stopping in for a treat of nectar.
The first picture of the monarch on the firebush, I am absolutely stoked about. My mom gave me a clipping from her garden more than a year ago. I am happy to say this is the first time I have ever had it flower and it’s filling in the space quite nicely.
This hobby has blossomed in so many ways. For me it has combined my love of butterflies and new found interest in plants. The great thing about gardening is after you establish plants, the majority of the time it keeps giving, as seeds spread, or “root suckers” under the ground spread far.
Here are just a few of the lovely monarchs that caught my attention this morning.
I love the hunt you go on in the garden when you know that caterpillars have reached their final instar, ready for their next stage.
I have a wishing well in the middle of my garden that has a bucket full of bromeliads, which I have noticed has become a good hiding place for an assortment of caterpillars.
Today, my finds were a monarch chrysalis and an orange barred chrysalis. It’s amazing how far caterpillars will travel to find their final resting place before turning into a gorgeous butterfly.
Nature is truly incredible to witness.
I am in awe of the black swallowtail butterfly. It’s always amazing to witness the transformation from a caterpillar to the butterfly, with this species being no exception. I was shocked when I saw it fluttering about the house eager to be released, as I thought it would be in its chrysalis for a longer period of time.
I spotted at least a dozen of the polydamas swallowtail caterpillars on my Dutchman pipe this morning.
These are among my favorites as they eat in clusters when they are younger, only devouring the youngest leaves. Often times when you walk in the garden you see leaves falling, as they chomp away on certain parts, letting the rest fall to the ground.
The female butterfly will lay anywhere between 10 to 14 yellow, to orange eggs in clusters, typically on newly developed stems, or growing tips of its host plant. The caterpillars go through four instars, anywhere from 19 to 24 days, before they are ready to form its chrysalis. The colors of the caterpillars are a bit different during the first instar, with tan and small tubercles. Once the caterpillar molts into the second instar, they become dark brown with larger tubercles.
