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countrycarolyn

Butterfly larvae?

15 years ago

Well all of the most wonderful pictures of butterflies from you guys have really got me interested in growing plants for my butterflies. Well I was checking out my milk weed and I discovered these little egg looking things.

Is this butterfly larvae??

{{gwi:375399}}

Please do not look at my weeds that need to be pulled. This bed has been neglected badly but I am going to get started on it this week......maybe. lol

Comments (9)

  • 15 years ago

    Sure looks like it to me, Carolyn! They will probably be Monarchs. Why don't you post this pic over on the butterfly forum-those people are really knowledgeable about butterflies, and very helpful too.
    I wouldn't be in a hurry to get rid of the weeds; butterflies like meadowy, weedy, can't think of the right word, but I don't think the weeds will bother them!
    Shirley!

  • 15 years ago

    Yes those look like Monarch eggs. Have you seen Monarchs flying around your yard? I've read over on the Butterfly forum that many Monarchs were blown farther north than they usually are this Spring, by a storm system. People are saying that their Milkweed isn't ready for them yet! Your Milkweed looks pretty sizeable though.

    I love rearing Monarchs and am very jealous that you have eggs already. Are you thinking about bringing some eggs in to raise?

  • 15 years ago

    Looks like it to me too.
    Watch them closely,they hatch really quick, bring some inside and raise them,it is so much fun. Now we need Tiffy
    cAROL

  • 15 years ago

    Awesome ya made my day!! I just went outside and looked at my plant and it looks like now it is just the casing of what was the larvae, so cAROL I think some have already hatched. I have about 5 more on the plant that actually look like there is something there.

    As far as bringing them inside I don't dare do that, I am scared I will kill them from the lack of experience of dealing with butterflies. I have been noticing butterflies for about 3 weeks. I spotted a few monarchs but mostly out in the woods, so Shirley that advice about cleaning out the bed is a perfect excuse that I totally buy. LOL

    Now lets hope my fennel and rue get a bit bigger or at least a good root before they are spotted!! Yippeee!!

  • 15 years ago

    CC, if you go to the butterfly forum, they can help you raise them inside, it does not take long, and it is so much fun,check out my FB page, I have some pictures of the ones I raised last year.
    They pretty much take care of themselfs.
    Other wise, just enjoy,and have fun watching them outdoors,you should be able to see them now, if they opened already,they will be Very Tiny.
    Good luck.
    cAROL

  • 15 years ago

    Congratulations! Carolyn!

  • 15 years ago

    Carolyn - Rue is an excellent host plant, I had Black Swallowtail cats on mine. I am amazed at the easy to grow plants that are good host plants, like fennel, dill and parsley. I'm trying to grow carrots in a container this year, because I read somewhere where they are a good host for the black swallowtails too.
    I've never had the nerve to try and raise the cats inside; supposed to be easy.
    The more host plants you have, the more types of butterflies will show up at your house!
    Shirley!

  • 15 years ago

    Carolyn, raising butterflies is pretty easy and SO much fun! You would probably love it. There are some issues and sometimes they die from disease or mishaps, but the mortality rate is very much higher outside where there are numerous predators and hazards for the larvae. Supposedly only about 1 out of every 100 eggs will make it to an adult butterfly.

    Last year I reared Monarchs and Black Swallowtails and this year I'm winter-sowing several milkweeds, as well as Rue, Fennel, and Parsley (Dill will hopefully reseed).

  • 15 years ago

    Carolyn, I followed the butterfly forum last year and learned a lot. I tried to get a lot of host plants WS last year and couldn't believe the number and varieties of butterflies I had. You plant them and they will come. I watch a monarch form a chrysalis out the window and within a day it had been broken into by some critter and was hollow. Maybe if I had brought it in, I could have saved it. I plan on trying my hand are raising some butterflies this year. Let us know if you do too. I'm going to start small. :)

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