Category Archives: Caterpillars
Monarchs vs Predators
I brought a Monarch caterpillar in from the garden thinking I was saving it from a predator. Unfortunately, a predator had already got to it. Below are two pictures of predators. One was on a caterpillar and one was from … Continue reading
Filed under Butterfly, Caterpillars, Predators
1000′s of Butterflies – NOT!
If you’ve ever wondered why there aren’t 1000′s of butterflies flying around, here’s one of the reasons. Painted Ladies lay eggs on my Pearly Everlasting every year and even though they try to pull the leaves together and use silk … Continue reading
Filed under Caterpillars, Predators
Horticulture Magazine Gets it Wrong
In the Feb/March issue of Horticulture magazine they made a beginner’s error. They talked about Rue being a host plant for Black Swallowtails, but then showed a picture of Meadow Rue (Thalictrum), which is nothing like the Rue (Ruta graveolens), … Continue reading
Filed under Butterfly Gardening, Caterpillars, Host Plant
Sweet Bay Magnolia
If you’d like a smaller bush to host your Tiger Swallowtails, Magnolia virginiana, Sweet Bay Magnolia is a good choice. It wants to be a multi-stemmed bush and with a little judicious pruning every year, you can keep it to … Continue reading
Filed under Butterfly Gardening, Caterpillars, Giant Swallowtail, Host Plant, Tiger Swallowtail
Monarch Caterpillar Mouth Claspers
I was taking a picture of a Monarch caterpillar and noticed that besides the regular 6 front legs, the cat has what appears to be 4 front claspers to hold and pull the food toward its mouth. Does anyone know … Continue reading
Filed under Caterpillars, Monarch
