Caterpillars

11 years ago

I planted some asters, A. oblongifolius, a few years ago and found my first pearl crescent caterpillars on them last year - I was so excited! A pearl crescent showed up in the garden a couple of weeks ago, but it was so beautifully new looking, I didn't really think it'd had time to mate since emerging. I noticed late yesterday evening that some of the aster leaves had been eaten on the undersides, the way PC cats do, so I turned them over and found a lot of the little caterpillars! It was too dark to take a picture, so I waited until today, although it's so cloudy (rained again) there's really not much light. I used the macro lens of the camera and still had a tough time getting a decent picture, these little cats are SO tiny!

With the macro lens still on, I made this picture of my one and only variegated fritillary caterpillar. I wish some gulf frits would show up and eat the miles of passionvines I've got!

There are sleepy orange cats on their various host plants in my garden. Here's one on Cassia (or Senna) obtusifolia, the 'weed' that seems to be their favorite -

And lastly, there are some tersa sphinx moth caterpillars on my pentas for the first time in several years. They are very small. Here's one that looks much bigger than it really is thanks to the macro lens -

Sherry

Featured Answer

kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)

11 years ago

My Gulf a Fritillary eclosed this morning. So pretty!! Earlier in the day I watched a female GF laying eggs all over my passion vine.

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Comments (11)

kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
11 years ago
YAY FOR YOU!! So many cats!!
MissSherry
Original Author
11 years ago
Here are pictures of two of the pearl crescent chrysalides. They're about the length of the fingernail on your little finger, but slimmer -

I used the macro lens on my camera, to see the details.

Sherry
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MissSherry
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm so jealous! :)

I haven't seen a gulf frit all year - it's about time for them to show up!

Sherry
docmom_gw
11 years ago
I'm still jealous of everyone. Boo Hoo. And to top it off, I injured my foot digging out monster hostas last weekend and won't be able to garden all weekend, unless I crawl outside. I think I will, at least for a tour. Happy Fourth to those celebrating!

Martha
susanlynne48 (OKC7a)
11 years ago
Yea, for your PCs, MissSherry! I brought in 5 Sleepy Oranges this morning. They remind me of grass green velvet! The little female has been flitting around the garden for several days. Their favorite in my garden is Senna bicapsularis - also a favorite of the Cloudless Sulphurs. The Question Marks are numerous this year as well as Red Admirals.

The smallest butterflies I have raised are Grey Hairstreaks - their chrysalis looks like a tiny bean seed - and the Common Sootywing skipper. I have a persistent Silver Spotted skipper that I wish would deposit some eggs on my bush beans. I might not ever find them, though, lol! Still seeing BSTs, as well.

Susan
susanlynne48 (OKC7a)
11 years ago
So sorry for all those dupes!
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
11 years ago
Houzz allows you to delete duplicates. Look in the upper right corner of your message; there's are edit and delete options. Only the post-er can delete or edit their post!
susanlynne48 (OKC7a)
11 years ago
Thanks I will try to remember that! I am not accustomed to using all available features on this site yet.
MissSherry
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm still learning about the features on this new site, too, Susan.

Congrats on your caterpillars! I've never raised any hairstreaks, but, considering the size of the butterflies, I'm not surprised their chrysalis is as tiny as pearl crescents'.

It's good to hear you're still butterflying!

Sherry
MissSherry
Original Author
11 years ago
Yesterday two pearl crescents emerged, and I tried to get a picture of them before they left the cage, but they flew out too quickly.

Here's one that emerged this morning that basked on the azalea by the porch -

Based on my book, Florida Butterfly Gardening by Minno & Minno, I'd say this is a male.

Sherry