Susan,

That's fantastic! I saw my first, lone GST last week. The rue is gone as the BSTs ate it down to the nub. I keep hoping one will find the ash or the lemon or the lime trees. So far, no eggs. And the GFs haven't made it here this year. : (

I'm still seeing lots of BFs, though, and have raised a lot this year. I'll be in OKC later in the week. I'll give you a call.

Sandy

Do come by Sandy and I'll give you some GST cats! Also, let me know if you want some Walnut Sphinx cats, too. They are fun to raise - very easy, and then you'll have some sphinx emerge next spring!

I can also give you some GFs probably as well. Not near as many showed up this year, but I haven't brought them in to raise this year. If I have some when you get here, you are more than welcome to take them.

Susan

Congrats, Susan! I'm not raising any GST cats at the moment, but I've got lots of chrysalids, and I've been seeing the adults off and on. Don't you love 'em?
Sherry

I do love the GSTs! I did find one that went to the top of the container to molt and then died. The rest are doing fine. I have about 5 of them left. I gave 6 to Sandy and she is raising them. I just think they have a fact that only we butterfly mothers could love! LOL!

There are still about 3 eggs on the Rue in the backyard and I need to check to see if they hatched. They may be "empties".

Susan

Susan,

The GST cats I got from you are doing great. They switched over to the Mexican Lime leaves with no problem. They are growing rapidly. Thanks so much!!!! I love raising these guys. Also the GFs seem to be doing great. I am finding more Monarch, VF, Pipevine, and Cloudless Sulfur eggs and cats. I don't know when it's all going to end this year.

It was good to see you--take care.

Sandy

I have raised more Giant Swallowtails this year than ever before. I did however get some from a gal in Jacksonville. They were eating her orange sapling she had. Then about the same time I found eggs on my wild lime. I have released all but 3 of those but today I collected 10 from my Wild Lime and there are 3 more on there to get tomorrow. Most of what I have released have been males but I did see a pair on Saturday flying around together so I guess they hooked up.

Well, I'm down to 4 now. I lost 2 smaller ones (probably cannabilized), collected 1 more baby. I have 2 that are about ready to pupate and one following closely behind.

Mary, I probably don't see or get as many GSTs as you do in Florida. I know they are considered a pest (beyond my imagination) by farmers who grow citrus, but here they are considered a good but not invasive problem. I love them and only see the actual butterflies on rare occasions. They do leave the eggs, though!

I'm sure they will overwinter as chrysalises so I'll have have surprises next spring!

Sandy, I'm so glad they took to your Mexican Lime. Is that hardy for you, or one you have to take indoors to winter over?

I'm seeing Painted and American Ladies, one lone Buckeye - but he/she was HUGE for a Buckeye - Gulf Frits are still laying eggs; Monarchs still flying, lots of Skippers, and yesterday I had a Dogface and a Clouded Sulphur. This is the first year I've ever seen a Clouded Sulphur in the yard. I did have a Yellow-Collared Scape Moth visit, too. Not near the numbers I saw last year, and so far, no Texas Crescents or Bordered Patches.

Susan

Susan,

I keep the Mexican Lime in the garage. I barely watered it last year and it did fine. It is blooming and putting on little limes currently. The GSTs are all still alive. I only have 4 GFs, so some of eggs probably didn't hatch. They are also doing great.

I really appreciate you sharing these with me.

This morning I saw Monarchs migrating for over an hour until winds got stronger. They were traveling low to the ground. I, too, haven't seen any Border Patches or Texans this fall. But, I'm still hopeful. The Golden Crownbeard is covered with Silvery Checkerspots and Pearl Crescents, which I had not seen earlier this summer.

Take care,

Sandy

Yes, the PCs and SCs have been absent during the heat of the summer - had them earlier in spring. Saw my first PC yesterday outside, along w/American Lady, and Yellow-Collared Scape Moth and an Ailanthus moth. Saw a hairstreak of a different kind. It's wings appeared to have some yellow in them, so have no idea what kind of HS it is.

My two big Giants are getting ready to pupate with the other following closely behind. Most of my Walnut Sphinx have pupated, and still have some medium-large sized ones still consuming pecan foliage.

Lots more butterflies are showing up right now! Yippee!

Susan

There must be something in the airÂit has been a banner year for me, too! I cannot believe the number of GSTs I've raised this year AND the fact that these beauties have been eclosing within a short amount of time. Weird, isn't it? I wonder what's up. I even had an email from one of the gals who lives nearby who worried about some she had raised (and is currently raising) because she is now out of food. She wanted me to come to rescue them until I remembered her next-door neighbor, who works at my school, has a citrus tree or two and uses no pesticides! :) AhhhÂto say she was THRILLED was putting it lightly.

Yes, I imagine, Sherry, that they will be overwintering as chrysalises. As will the walnut sphinx. But, it's so nice to have something eclose in spring when not much else is around, isn't it?

Susan

They must be numerous everywhere this year! There was an article in the Coast paper about giant swallowtails written by the man who writes a birding column. He was finding the cats on his lemon tree and enjoying watching them grow.
I've got more chrysalids than ever, but it looks like they're all overwintering.
Sherry