After a slow start to the butterfly season I finally saw a few leps other than the silver-spotted skippers (SSSK) that have been buzzing around the Museum this summer. But, even the SSSKs have been fewer in number this year. The paucity in leps may have been caused by the late cold of this past winter and spring.
Whatever the reason, there have been far fewer butterflies this year. I keep parsley on my back porch just for the black swallowtails who lay eggs on the plant. I have four plants with no caterpillars. I’m usually on my second bunch of caterpillars by now and wondering how I’m going to feed them all after they’ve munched the parsley clear to the ground.
Here’s a collection of photos of some of what’s out and about now.
And lastly, a few non-lepidopteran arrivals.
Perhaps the two small milkweed bugs will find each other and we’ll have both small and large milkweed bug nymphs covering the seed pods of the butterfly weed in a few weeks.
I share all your sentiments on the unusual butterfly season, however, I am very pleased to say I counted 18 caterpillars on my parsley a little over two weeks ago (last seen) Today I saw a newly-hatched Black Swallowtail flitting around the remaining parsley! Saw my first Monarch 8/17/14. I recently planted some swamp milkweed (I think), hope it finds the plant.
Greg Dodge says:
Author
Good for you, and the black swallowtails. Last year I had way too many caterpillars on my parsley and they literally ate themselves to death. I couldn’t supply them with enough food and most of them perished. I hope yours do well.
Thanks,
jpo says:
This morning I found that the Black Swallowtail I saw flitting around my remaining parsley has laid eggs which have hatched. I hope they don’t run out of parsley as they have (like yours) done in previous years.
I share all your sentiments on the unusual butterfly season, however, I am very pleased to say I counted 18 caterpillars on my parsley a little over two weeks ago (last seen) Today I saw a newly-hatched Black Swallowtail flitting around the remaining parsley! Saw my first Monarch 8/17/14. I recently planted some swamp milkweed (I think), hope it finds the plant.
Good for you, and the black swallowtails. Last year I had way too many caterpillars on my parsley and they literally ate themselves to death. I couldn’t supply them with enough food and most of them perished. I hope yours do well.
Thanks,
This morning I found that the Black Swallowtail I saw flitting around my remaining parsley has laid eggs which have hatched. I hope they don’t run out of parsley as they have (like yours) done in previous years.