Category Archives: cassia

Cassius blue

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I have started spotting the tiny cassius blue butterfly throughout the garden. It is such a fast flyer, making it hard to photograph.

In all the years I have had its host plant, plumbago, I have never spotted the caterpillars, or the chrysalis.

Its wingspan is only 15-22 mm. The egg is flattened and blue. The butterfly will lay the egg on flowers, flower buds or the developing seed pods of the plumbago.

There are two eyespots on the margin of the hind wing. The males are pale to bright blue above, while the females have a bluish-white to white above the basal area of the wing, as well as broad dark borders.

The larvae are also small, as it is approximately only .5 inches in length and are green with faint dark markings, or a patterned white faint marking.

Hidden well

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The polydamas swallowtail chrysalis, I think, is very unique. The color often times depends on where they create it, as they can either be green, or brown.

The first one is well hidden in my Bahama cassia tree, resembling the color of a leaf. The last few photos are residing  in my butterfly house and are brown, similar to the color of the branch.

It will be interesting to see how long before the butterflies emerge. The last batch overwintered, which was fascinating because I live in Southwest Florida where the temps usually do not turn too extreme.

The yellow beauty

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This morning I spent quite a few hours in the garden with the company of the orange barred sulphur butterfly.

I have made it to the far section of the garden where my candlestick cassia plant is located, a favorite of the sulphur, with my stone pathway.

She kept fluttering in, flying high and low, close and far away from me. I lost count of how many eggs this sulphur left behind on its host plant.

The plant is already loaded with caterpillars of every instar.

Rain kissed garden

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According to the local news, Southwest Florida is experiencing its greatest drought in 8 years!

It was such a welcome sound to hear the rain coming down this morning, kissing the garden. It did not come down long, but it was an awesome downpour. With the overcast sky, the ground hopefully will stay wet for a while, giving the roots time to soak up the much needed moisture.

Here’s just a few of the butterfly nectar plants.

Zinnia
Penta
Starry rosinweed
Fire bush

The orange-barred sulphur caterpillars were also active on my cassia tree. There are tons yet again munching away.

Happiness

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I love walking out to the butterfly house and seeing new life. Its an instant smile.

The last orange barred sulphur emerged early this morning in the butterfly house.

This butterfly is one of abundance in the garden currently. I always spot multiple ones flying about, laying eggs, or sipping nectar. I have two of its host plants – the bahama cassia and candlestick cassia. They are planted on opposite corners of the garden and are thriving again, as I trimmed them both back. New growth is sprouting, mostly covered in eggs.