Our third Julia butterfly emerged today from our butterfly house. I am so excited the temperatures are warmer and these beauties are making their grand entrance. This one did not want to go, but rather was content on sitting on my finger. So needless to say, I took constant photos, while also admiring the beauty. I have to say raising butterflies is so incredibly gratifying and rewarding.
Our second Julia butterfly emerged before Christmas and the cold weather spell. These butterflies sure are gorgeous. I cannot wait for the rest of them to emerge.
My daughter was super excited that this beauty rested on her hand for a minute before taking its first flight.
The Julia heliconian butterfly is one of three in the heliconian subfamily – a member of the longwing. I read that the Julia’s legs are covered in short bristles. Their elongated wings can stretch to 9.2 centimeters.
The male butterfly is brighter orange with black spots toward the apex, while the female is duller orange with black bars across the apex.
I am so grateful this beauty stayed with me for a little while before it flew into the garden and stayed even longer. It’s an extraordinary moment when a butterfly rests on your finger, or hand, especially one that has never before! I sure hope this species becomes a permanent visitor of the garden.
As promised here are photographs of the Julia butterfly that emerged yesterday, successfully released today.
It’s been a bit cooler and more overcast this past week, which I think had something to do with my first Julia butterfly emerging after 3:30 p.m. yesterday when the sun was up. I am thankful this beauty decided to emerge in the afternoon, as I stuck my head out on the porch at the exact right time . . . the legs were pushing through the chrysalis.
I first brought Julia butterfly eggs home on Nov. 19, with the eggs hatching on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13. This butterfly created its chrysalis on Dec. 7 and emerged on Dec. 18.
I let it rest in the enclosure last night since it did not move away from its chrysalis. The temperature is still a bit cool this morning. I brought it out into the garden on my finger and it did not budge, so I brought the Julia back into the enclosure and will try again when the sun is high and the temps warm up a little. Stay tuned, I may have more photos later.
