We came from here: The thread "February 2017 Butterflies, Moths & Larva" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

Spring should be coming soon! It's come a little too soon down here in Florida where we're running about 10 degrees above normal. My asthma is really bad and I've been using my nebulizer several times per day, along with my Symbicort and albuterol inhaler.

Therefore, we get to look at my moth pupa this month! I'm avoiding the outdoors right now (you should see the oak pollen), and besides, we don't honor the pupa form enough. And since this is kind of an in-between time of year where the moths and butterflies will be emerging soon, it does seem rather appropriate. This is Pinky, my Mottled Prominent. Last time you saw him, he was pupating and had turned green. After he dried, he turned brown. And yes, if I handle the pupa, it will move and roll around which is cool but also a little creepy. Good to know he's alive in there!

Very nice Mellie, I hope you will be better soon

That would be a little creepy to have the pupa rolling around in the hand. I'll take your word for it Melanie. LOL
Feel better soon.

Well, I'm breathing better so I worked out on my stationary bike in hopes those endorphins would make me feel better. My rheumatologist told me to.

I think a lot of people don't realize that pupa (moth or butterfly) can move. They often have a "hinge" that allows them to wiggle back and forth. It's one way to scare off predators or physically dislodge them. Some will move even when you don't touch them, like Gulf Fritillary (aka Espejito) chrysalises. They will swing back and forth. I've heard some people say they move according to the sun, but I don't know if that's really true.

mariposa pavo real (Junonia genoveva hilaris - Southern Buckeye_) in my garden

Another picture of the same butterfly

Hey Texas folks, and everyone else. Isn't Gregg's mistflower one that you guys grow? Or is that another mistflower? Anyway, if anyone has advice for this grower, please answer: The thread "Greggs' Mistflower - Conoclinium greggii - grow in big pot?" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

What is Bleeding Heart Vine?

I will be growing Gregg's mistflower for the first time this season - TX friend sent me some seed.

This is the most common plant called "Bleeding Heart". Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos)

This is the one I grow. Completely different plant. Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

My butterfly capture from yesterday.

Look what I found this morning. The crazy warm weather has given us some early surprises. This Asclepias curassavaca never died down over the winter - probably because we never had winter this year.

Wow, very nice!

Found it while I was watering the plants, never seen one before. What eyes it has!




What's it called?

Oh pretty moth! I think it's a Polyphemus.

I raised a bunch of those once, and boy can they eat. It was a lot of fun.

Yup, Polyphemus moth. Polyphemus, of course, was the cyclops and son of Poseidon and appears in "The Odyssey".

Yesterday's sighting ~ I think its an American Snout.

Being the only butterfly in sight, I took lots of pictures and this is just a few of them.

Yes, it is a Snout butterfly, they are so cute!!

piksihk said:Found it while I was watering the plants, never seen one before. What eyes it has!




What's it called?

I don't know but the second one really looks like my dad!