Wedding, Senior, Portrait and Nature Photography located in Martinsville, IN
Monday, April 18, 2011
My sixth Black Swallowtail this year
This little beauty was born today. They are such amazing little butterflies. We overwintered about 20. My kids get such joy out of watching them fly away! (And so do I)
So beautiful. I'd like to know where you get them and what is required to overwinter. I've never given it much thought. Just enjoy the ones that float in to see me :)
Oh Gale, It is truely God's gift. They are beautiful from larva to butterfly. Ok, for black swallowtails you need to plant parsley, dill and or Queen Annes Lace. I plant the host foods near the nectar plants. The adults will lay their eggs on the host plants as they start to grow. (we watch them everyday) When they get alittle bit smaller than your pinky finger we move them into a butterfly habitat (they sale them on line or toys or us and Menards. etc. Anyway, we continue to feed them until they make their chryslis. About 10-14 days later they emerge into adulthood. Its totally increadible. The best part is. After they hatch they need to hang in the sun to dry their wings. We will move them to flowers outside to do this. They can't fly with wet wings so this is when I snap all my pictures. (I have a whole list of host plants for different butterflys. (I THINK I might of even listed them on a earlier post) (I think its in one of the first 7 posts) If it isn't let me know and i'll send you a link.
So beautiful. I'd like to know where you get them and what is required to overwinter. I've never given it much thought. Just enjoy the ones that float in to see me :)
ReplyDeleteOh Gale, It is truely God's gift. They are beautiful from larva to butterfly. Ok, for black swallowtails you need to plant parsley, dill and or Queen Annes Lace. I plant the host foods near the nectar plants. The adults will lay their eggs on the host plants as they start to grow. (we watch them everyday) When they get alittle bit smaller than your pinky finger we move them into a butterfly habitat (they sale them on line or toys or us and Menards. etc. Anyway, we continue to feed them until they make their chryslis. About 10-14 days later they emerge into adulthood. Its totally increadible. The best part is. After they hatch they need to hang in the sun to dry their wings. We will move them to flowers outside to do this. They can't fly with wet wings so this is when I snap all my pictures. (I have a whole list of host plants for different butterflys. (I THINK I might of even listed them on a earlier post) (I think its in one of the first 7 posts) If it isn't let me know and i'll send you a link.
ReplyDeleteDownloading now. I had 5 hatch today. Yes 5. Hey, here's a neat site for you to look at. http://www.butterfliesetc.com/caterpillar-food-plants
ReplyDelete