Congrats, Susan! You'll have fun raising those cats or watching them raise themselves. I like to raise black swallowtails myself, because they seem to be a wasp favorite. Plus, they're so easy to raise, at least when they're eating rue, which holds up well in water, even rooting, as I'm sure you know!

I let the mock bishop's weed come up in a bed in my garden, even put a little chicken manure around it. The black swallowtails have used it in the past - it looks like dill and fennel, and it's in that family - and it comes back every year, even spreading freely by seeds. So, the black swallowtails will have a choice in my garden - rue or mock bishop's weed. The MBW started blooming a few weeks ago, so I wish the swallowtails would show up - you know how they like those flowers!

Sherry

Susan,

Send that female my way. I still haven't seen a Black Swallowtail. But, i'm sure it's just a matter of time.

Congrats on your eggs.

Sandy

I think she's headed your direction. Very late to arrive this year, but better late than never. I've got so much egg laying going on my head is swimming.

Susan

Goodness Susan, you do have a lot going on. I am barely seeing any butterflies in my yard yet. It's been cold here.

Congrats! I've been checking my Bronze Fennel almost daily and still no eggs or cats. : ( There's PLENTY there for them to eat when they do show up. That stuff reseeds like crazy.

I found eggs on the parsley tonight. Finally!! Thanks for sending her my way.

Cool! I've been watching for swallowtails,haven't seen one yet... but what a weird year! I've already got monarch eggs! My bronze fennel stand is going strong after this mild winter and warm spring, so i'm sure i'll have lots of stripey babies.

I haven't seen a black swallowtail, but I have found the eggs and have three caterpillars that have already formed their chrysallis.

~Laura

That is great, Laura. Those sneaky butterflies can come in and leave eggs without us ever seeing them! I didn't see the BSW that laid the eggs I found. No caterpillars yet.

Sandy

Sandy - my biggest problem is that my long haired chihuahua, Maci, loves to eat parsley and dill. I'm afraid she's going to eat the eggs! I'm trying to keep her out of the gardens but it's hard - she's an adventurous little sneak!

~Laura

I would love to see Maci. She must like her greens. Libby, my long haired chi, loves veggies. I haven't caught her eating the parsley or dill--just grass.

Bring the eggs in when you see them, and stick the stem in water. Dill and parsley do well in water or picks. And the cats don't start wandering until they get pretty large. I've had large "bouquets" on the kitchen counter covered with caterpillars.

Sandy

this is Maci last summer - sneaking back out through the lantana.

{{gwi:462640}}

Oh my goodness! She and Libby could be sisters. I see she is a tricolor as well. How much does she weigh? I've included a link to photos of Libby.

Sandy

Here is a link that might be useful: Libby's gallery

Maci is a rescue... got her from Pet Adoption League when a breeder (aka puppy mill) had to surrender all their dogs. She weighs about 7 pounds.

~Laura

OMG - love it when y'all post photos of your babies! So so adorable. Having met Libby in person, I can vouch she is a precious companion, Sandy! Laura, your Maci is equally sweet!

Thanks for sharing!

MissSherry needs to post photos of her sweetie pies, too. Love those cuties, too! We should have an OT Pet Thread so we can drool over everybody's little darlins'!!

Susan

Your dogs are precious - I just LOVE dogs!

Since we're posting tricolors -

{{gwi:456601}}

{{gwi:462644}}

Sherry