The great southern white caterpillars have reappeared in the garden. I left the pepperweed growing in the garden. Some that I found growing in the yard, I dug up and plainted in pots, as it is the host plant for this butterfly. I am happy to say some are still green and doing great.
The great southern white butterfly is always a welcome sight in the garden. The pepperweed started popping up everywhere, its host plant, which was followed by an influx of the butterflies, and my favorite – eggs, then caterpillars!
We had 24 butterflies emerge in our butterfly house during the month of March.
My enclosure is full of great southern white chrysalis. They are everywhere, on the plant, the sides of the enclosure, the bottle holding the plant.
The Great Southern White butterflies have returned to the garden. I have noticed them almost daily now hovering and landing on their host plant, Virginia peppergrass (pepperweed). This plant grows freely all over the yard. It probably started pushing through the dirt last month. The best part, it is now growing in numerous places in my designated, safe space, garden area.
The female, which can be a dirty to gray, white coloring, with black forewing apex, and a black forewing cell spot, have sure been busy. The female lays yellow, spindle-shaped eggs, either single, or in clusters. The photographs, below, show the eggs in clusters.
My favorite distinction of this butterfly is the amazing turquoise antennal clubs. They are absolutely stunning. The wingspan of this butterfly ranges from 45 to 58 mm.
I really enjoy wandering through other butterfly gardens to get ideas to further enhance my garden at home. So, another trip to The Butterfly Estates in Downtown Fort Myers was enjoyed. I have to say my gardens are mimicking the same nectar plants and a good amount of the host plants that The Butterfly Estates has, which is great because it supports the butterflies of Southwest Florida.
This time the great southern white butterfly grabbed my attention, as this beauty is becoming more of a regular in the garden.
With the help of a friend, I have identified that its host plant, lepidium latifolium, broad leafed Virginia pepperweed, is growing in my yard! This plant has tiny white flowers at the top. It can reach 6 to 20″ inches tall and likes full sun, dry, well-drained sandy to rich soils.
It is part of the mustard family, which is the primary variety that the great southern white uses to lay its eggs. The butterfly was laying its egg on the cleome plant at The Butterfly Estates. So, I am happy to say that I have two big pots full of the pepperweed in one spot in the butterfly garden, hoping to soon see the amazing life cycle of this beauty. And, I also have seeds to grow another variety of mustard, which I am super excited about.
Here are photographs captured during our visit of the great southern white laying eggs, drinking nectar from porterweed and resting.
