Geni,
That looks like a Queen to me! A very happy one, too. :) Soldier larvae are striped with yellow (two yellow stripes outlined in black with a thick white stripe) whereas the Queen has those little 'dots' of yellow in a sea of black and white stripes. Does that make sense?

CalSherry

Here's a pic of a Danaus eresimus larva...

Here is a link that might be useful: Soldier cat

Is the weather cool/cold down there, Geni? Cooler weather slows down all cats, makes each instar take longer.
Sherry

The nights have been quite chilly. In fact, I think we must have had a freeze Friday night because all the new leaves on my little pomegranate tree were dead this morning and some of the new leaves on the lantana. The days are beautiful, clear and warm, but the house stays cool unless I open the curtains and let the sun in.

I've been seeing quite a few butterflies already. Mostly Texan Crescents, Dainty Sulphurs and Reakirt's Blues, but also the occasional orange fritillary (not Gulf, probably Mexican but possibly Variegated), Mourning Cloak, Cloudless Sulphur and Tiger Swallowtail. Oddly, I rarely see Monarchs here except as logos on taxis and on Michoacan license plates. I may start to see a few over the next month as they begin the northward migration, but I'll probably leave before they do this time.

Thanks for the ID, Sherry and Larry.
g.

gcertain, What Tiger Swallowtail do you get? It it the Three Tailed Swallowtail or what kind? Do you have all the host plants for the butterflies you see( the ones you listed above)

Danny, the Tigers I see here are the most elusive I've ever encountered. I've never gotten close enough to get a positive ID or even a decent picture. I intend to have zinnias this summer (if it kills me!), so maybe I will be able to attract them to linger instead of just zooming past my yard on their way to better feeding grounds.

My efforts so far at gardening here have been, shall we say, less than optimal. I keep planting things and they keep dying. Part of the problem is that I have to leave them before the start of the rainy season, so they don't get enough water. My neighbors do water for me, but it's a big favor to ask, so I try to limit my request to the trees and let the flowers fend for themselves. My plan for the zinnias is to prepare the bed and sow the seeds before I leave around the first of March and let the rain bring them up in early June. They when I get back in July, they should be well established.

So the answer to your question about host plants is no. The host plants for these butterflies are close by, but they are not in my garden. The only for-sure host plant that I have been able to grow is the local "romero" milkweed (Asclepias linaria). I've found two other milkweeds and collected seeds. I will try to grow those this summer and determine the species. I've also found that a very common local shrub is plain-looking croton that seems to be a host for Tropical Leafwing (Anaea aidea). There's no need to plant it, because it is everywhere outside the fence. I have also grown parsley, dill and fennel for the Eastern Black Swallowtails, but the plants didn't make it through the fall. I'll replant in the summer.

One problem for me in asking about host plants is that I don't know the common names in Spanish, and the people who work in the local viveros rarely know the Latin names. If I can't recognize a plant by its looks, I have little hope of being able to ask for it.

geni {{gwi:454191}}Butterflies and Moths of Michoacán

I would like some seeds of the two unknown Milkweeds. Do you have enough seeds? If not that is okay. Tiger Swallowtails are rare here and I would like to raise them. There has only been like one record of one here if any, but it is found north, west, and south of where I live. I would like to find someone who would not mind mailing my eggs or caterpillars. I would pay postage for a a small box. I just need to find someone with seeds of the Tiger Swallowtail host plant. Cool photo. :-) How often do you see Morning Cloaks? Those are a bit more common that Tiger Swallowtails but are still rare. They are found only to the far west of the Rio Grande Valley where I live.

I try to be professional when I visit this forum but I have to say ... that is the cutest thing! I love your picture. A well loved little caterpillar.

Edna

The cat seems to be doing fine and really likes to go outdoors every day. I put him next to the plant and he climbs right up. And now he seems to be getting used to leaving the plant and coming inside for the night. But he still hasn't changed his skin.

Edna, I told him you thought he was cute and you should have seen him preen. (Like you, I try not to anthropomorphize.)

Danny, it is forbidden to bring seeds across the border. However, if you are open to any and all milkweeds, I think I still have some A. tuberosa and A. perennis seeds in Alabama that I will send you when I get back in March. E-mail me your mailing address.

geni

Geni,

Seems like Sherry (LA) has mentioned having Gulf Frits that took all winter to eat and pupate. I had Am Lady cats last winter that appeared in my garden in January! They grew really slowly. It will be interesting to see if it pupates soon. I really hope so, as I know how much you want to see the BF before you leave.

Makes you think there is probably a mechanism that keeps the cats barely alive through the winter so they can repopulate in the spring. Wonder if Ladobe can explain this.

Sandy

gcertain, I want the A.Perennis seeds. I will e-mail you.

did you get the e-mail I sent you about the Milkweed seeds?

did you get the e-mail I sent you about the Milkweed seeds?

Danny, geez. I'm sure the seeds will get to you. Give people a break. Every time I see seeds mentioned in this forum you become obsessive and overly persistent.

Danny,

I think Geni is probably busy getting things ready to come home. I have some A perennis seeds that she sent me. I'll be glad to send half to you if you will email me. Then I think you've just about gotten all the seeds we have!

Sandy

Danny, I did get your message and I thought I responded to it. However, I can't see the reply in my Sent folder, so I guess it didn't go through. Internet service here is my one complaint. It works unpredictably, and sometimes I think it's working when it isn't.

Anyway, I will definitely send you some A. perennis seeds when I get back to Alabama. I'm leaving here in about 10 days. The trip takes four days, but I plan to stop off at the beach for a few days, so I don't know exactly when I'll be home. But don't sweat, they'll be in the mail and I'll e-mail you when I send them.

The Happy Cat, btw, went to butterfly heaven. But I have seen two Monarchs, so that helps.

geni

Ohhhhh, that made me sad to hear. Sounds like you are in your last busy days. And it sounds like the Monarchs are starting to stir.

Next winter, I am planning to make the trip to see the overwintering site of the Monarchs. There is a group from Georgia that goes every year, and my friend and I are on the list. As you can tell, I'm excited!

I hope you have a wonderful final 10 days in Mexico.

Sandy

Sandy, a few years ago I ran into a tour group from Monarchs Across Georgia at El Rosario Monarch Sanctuary and got acquainted with Susan Meyers, who was organizing the trips at that time (and probably still is). Is this the organization with whom you'll be traveling? If it is, I'm sure your trip will be fantastic.

g.

Yes, this is the group. I think Susan is the person I've communicated with. I hope the situation in Mexico is so that we can travel next year. It will be the journey of a lifetime!