Cats galore!

9 years ago

Monarch cats, that is. I was bemoaning having none, then they started hatching and I had more than a dozen! I had enough milkweed this year so that everyone could have his own plant, so they are munching happily away. Some have grown up and gone on to pupate, I suppose. I can never find the cocoons, but I've seen one go all the way across the courtyard to pupate on the giant elephant ear, so I know they are around somewhere.

I have about 7 now, and if anymore hatch, I shall have to cull them -- which is sad, but better than letting them starve to death. Next year, I shall have more and more milkweed for them, after I chop down the leafless stems and root them to plant out next spring, and I also have plenty of seeds, so I shall have loads next year!

Now to get a passionvine for the gulf frits and plant out the cassia for the sulfurs.

Featured Answer

User
Original Author

9 years ago

I wish I had swallotails! There are citrus trees around here, in fact, my next door neighbor has one, but no swallowtails yet. Maybe after I start my butterfly garden next year, they will come. I'm getting so many wonderful things finding my garden -- butterflies, ladybugs, lacewings, and finally honeybees. I think it's going to be awesome next year when I plant more flowers.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Rhonda
9 years ago
Yay Deb! I did not see one monarch in my yard this year :( Tons of queens which was a first for me in Florida, so can't complain too much. Congrats!
Glenn Jones(9b)
9 years ago
I had lots and lots of monarch butterfly cats this year and i have tiny ones right now i also had swallow tails.my girls love them all.
Related Professionals
Birmingham Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Champaign Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Scranton Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Riverside Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Reno Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Vancouver Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Palm Bay Landscape Contractors · Panama City Landscape Contractors · Tulsa Landscape Contractors · Charlottesville Landscape Contractors · Helena Landscape Contractors · Dover Kitchen Remodelers · Sebring Kitchen Remodelers · Bainbridge Kitchen Remodelers · Springfield Kitchen Remodelers
Rhonda
9 years ago
Glenn, I'm so jealous! Glad to hear that you're getting your girls interested in butterflies.

I had tons more butterflies this year than ever before in Florida so I was disappointed that I saw no monarchs.
Glenn Jones(9b)
9 years ago
Rhonda,i haven't had any queens would like to show them to my girls. DG the swallow tails came when i got my satsuma.i would like to get more host plant's. I also keep getting a unknown cat that looks similar to army worms but not quite the same on my night bloom Jasmine.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Silly little cats keep falling off the leaves! I've found several on the ground. I put them all on their own plants, and next thing I know, they are all on one plant. One of them falls asleep at night hanging straight down from his hind legs, just hangs there. Maybe he's practicing for when he makes a cocoon!