August 23, 2003

Giants may not be Giants after all

While volunteering at the Butterfly House today, I saw a lot of butterflies. Mostly the usuals though, Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, etc. I saw a Zebra Swallowtail also, but wasn't able to get a picture of it. A real pretty Red Spotted Purple was there too, nectaring at a butterfly bush, but again I couldn't get a picture of it in time.


The big news though - I found a small caterpillar on a Hop tree while I was there. I figured it was a Giant Swallowtail and gave it to the entomologist working there for their caterpillar exibit. He said it wasn't a Giant Swallowtail, but instead a Tiger Swallowtail! Anyway, it looked a lot like the two I have at home. So maybe I have Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars rather then Giant Swallowtails too!


Later at home I released two Monarchs that had emerged from their chrysalids. A couple Painted Ladies were flying around too. And of course the usuals, Monarchs, Hackberrys.


I added back some pictures for the Aug. 20 entry.

Posted by butterflygirl at August 23, 2003 10:08 AM