The birthday wish

Posted on July 17, 2023 by SweetButterfly Bliss

I don’t know who was more excited, my daughter, or I, for this year’s birthday destination, a trip to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Florida.

In 1986, Butterfly World began building its sanctuary in Broward County within Tradewinds Park. I read that Butterfly World keeps 20,000 butterflies on display, although there are often more that can be seen. At any given time there are up to 50 tropical species, with more than 150 different species throughout the year. Along a wall there were glass enclosures with a great deal of chrysalis, as well as some newly emerged drying its wings.

Every where you looked there were dozens fluttering by, all beautiful vibrant butterflies of various sizes. A few times they landed on us, as they were making their way to their next destination. Of course, my little butterfly whisperer had the beautiful blue butterfly (a morpho species) sit on her finger as she beamed uncontrollably.

It was such a special occasion to see her walking around pointing out different butterflies that caught her attention, a few of which we have seen either in our garden, or at Butterfly Estates in Downtown Fort Myers.

It was definitely worth the trip. A trip that may have to be taken again someday. It was hard to choose some of my favorites. Enjoy the 20 images below of the few that caught our attention.

Well, hello

Posted on September 22, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

The zebra longwing, or zebra heliconian, butterfly sipping on some blue porterweed. This beauty was named after the stripped pattern of the wings, which also is a warning to predators that it is toxic. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History the cyanogenic glycoside chemicals taste bitter, and come from the passion vine host plant.

This butterfly is unique as the male zebra longwing will mate with a female before it emerges from its chrysalis. Once the female is found, the male will visit the chrysalis repeatedly. The female will emerge during the process, expanding her wings as the mating goes on for several hours.

The butterflies can be found from Peru to as far north as Texas and Florida.

Nectar and pollen, please.

Posted on September 13, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

This graceful flyer flew around me multiple times while I stood in the garden going from our lantana plant (nectar) to the maypop passion vine (host) to the blue porterweed (nectar). This zebra longwing butterfly was not bothered by me at all watching her eat and lay eggs.

This butterfly is very intelligent, as they can remember where they last fed, returning daily to the same source.

So many eggs

Posted on September 5, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

More eggs!! I found all of these eggs on my maypop passion vine, which is sprouting up all over the garden a good distance from the original plant. Both the gulf fritillary and zebra longwing butterflies lay yellow eggs on this host plant. It will be exciting to see what hatches.

Patience, they will come

Posted on August 29, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

A zebra longwing butterfly landing on a maypop passionvine, one of its host plants, laying eggs. If you look closely you can spot the yellow egg she left behind.