We came from here: The thread "October 2015 Butterflies, Moths & Larva" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

I may be biased, but this was really the best photo I got today at MOSI. So enjoy a Zebra Longwing all month long as your thumbnail! They're just so cooperative. It just sat there and let me put the camera right up to it; I didn't even use the zoom!



I have a feeling my bosses made a trip to visit their friend at the butterfly farm in Plant City. Between last week and this week, we mysteriously acquired loads of chrysalises. Most of them were Julias.



I found an Orange-Barred Sulphur on the ceiling.



I released a few Monarchs in the flight cage.



And they were also flying around outside.



I released a Long-Tailed Skipper in the flight cage but I also found one outside.



Back in the flight cage we had a really torn up Luna Moth.



This is one of the palest Sleepy Oranges I've released.



I released a Buckeye, too. They're so pretty when they're fresh.



We still had a couple of Malachites flying. Or eating, as was the case with this one.



And finally, here's what a Malachite caterpillar looks like. It's like a bigger version of my White Peacock with more prominent orange spots. They don't sting, but they sure are prickly. I don't like to move them unless I have gloves on.

I have never seen a Julia before and they are stunning!!!!!
Probably the prettiest butterfly I've seen so far!
Anywhere.

WooHoo!!!! I saw 2 separate Monarchs. November 1 in St. Joseph Missouri. I was talking to my neighbor and I said - those are monarchs right? Yep. They flew from one of her Butterfly Bushes to one of my Butterfly Bushes. Watched them for several minutes. BTW - it was ~ 70 degrees here today.

My my heart go pitter patter.



Melanie - your posts are always so Awesome. And this was beyond a doubt one of the awesomest (a word?) ever.

Critter, glad you like the Julias! We had dozens of them in the flight cage. My bosses obviously went to the butterfly farm. We trade with a lady there. She gives us her "seconds" - chrysalises that aren't quite good enough for her to charge customers for. But they generally come out just fine. Julias don't come quite this far north; I've never seen one in the wild. I hear Sarasota (about an hour south of here) is about their limit. The caterpillars eat passion vine like the Zebra Longwings and Gulf Frits. So we grow lots of passion vine at MOSI!

David, tell those Monarchs to get a move on! Today is the Day of the Dead in Mexico and that's when they're supposed to be arriving!

Wow pictures! Love them all! The Julia is another one that is only found in the deep south, I think! Although, I think I've seen one before... going to look for the picture.

Oh well, I guess it was wishful thinking! I'm pretty sure I was thinking of this Gulf Fritillary butterfly.

wildflowers said: Gulf Fritillary butterfly.

Lovely as well!

Well, they are both passion vine eaters as caterpillars. So they're like cousins, right?

Sure, if you say so....

Probably, Julia and Gulf fritillary have the same wing shape too, and the cats do look similar; they must be related.

mellielong said:Well, they are both passion vine eaters as caterpillars. So they're like cousins, right?

I should have Passionflowers vine of size by next summer. Can you assure me I will see both?

Sorry David, you can ignore the zones but the butterflies tend to keep within their boundaries. Even I don't get Julias and I'm in Florida! Just too far north in Florida. BAMONA has reports of Gulf Fritillaries in MO, but not many. I think it would be a rare visitor for you. The Fritillaries in your area tend to eat Viola species so I'd plant some Violets if I were you. Or visit areas that have violets growing.

:-(( My heart is broken, but I did sorta know that, :-)

I have thousands of wild violets - those count?

I have a spicebush that obviously was eaten by something this summer, but I never saw anything. Prob a stoopid grasshopper.

Next summer I will also have some pipevine that I will grow over in my basement. Started from seed this summer.

And Dill and Fennel.

So aside from my milkweed, I hope to entice some new butterflies to stop by.

Yes, wild violets are absolutely what they would be laying eggs on. Remember, the grass is always greener on the other side! There are many butterflies you get up there that I don't see down here. That's why it's fun to visit this thread and share the experience with everyone!

David, you might get Variegated Fritillaries on your passion vine. They use a wider variety of plants including violets. I've only seen them in the wild here once in Florida, but we've raised them at MOSI a few times. I saw one in WV, once when visiting Grandma. They're more likely to be in your area so it's possible someone will be chowing down on your passion vines!

I just started my interest in butterflies a couple of years ago. I have focused mostly on Monarchs and by next summer should have over 100 MW plants of at least 10 varieties.

But I also want to offer off many other things that I know the love.

Hopefully by next Summer I will be a bit more up to speed.

Well, you've come to the right place! We are here to help.

Cool. I have 5 p. incarnata which is the only one hardy here. They have been in the ground for several months and range in size from 12" to nearly 3 feet. They should take off next summer.

And no - I will not be growing the more tender varieties and wintering over indoors. My wife is yelling at me for my Ylang Ylang vine (Artabotrys hexapetalus). heh Not sure if any butterflies like it. WAIT!! Green triangle. OOPS - Australia. Tailed Jay! Yikes - Far East/India

I will also have 7 types of Bauhinia. WAIT. They are all Bonsai (ranging in size from 4" - 10" they will be 2 YO trees next summer) - do they serve as host for any micro sized butterflies?

First year here , I had 50 species of butterflies visit , since then 6 or 7 a season is all I seem to get ,

On the lighter side , of hair Tingling ?
Here comes the Tiger , Tiger Moth Larvae that it

These two today








This was watching one of them

Well, obviously if I want to see any Monarchs up close, I'll have to visit the San Antonio nurseries on a good weather day! Today I was way on the the northside and stopped by a nursery where two Monarch were nectaring. Although I did see a single Monarch fly above my place last week...I don't think it stopped here. Most butterflies are avoiding my place like the plague lately.