All the Dirt on Gardening

This afternoon an adult giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) was all over the lantana flowers. They are so shy it is difficult to snap photos of them. Then it flitted rapidly which is usually a sign of eggs.  I checked the Rue and Moon Carrot plants carefully and counted 22 newly hatched caterpillars/larvae. Here's the life cycle in photos - some taken last year and some this year Single eggs are deposited on a leaf Indiviual eggs on leaves Newly hatched larvae A few days later, they have the same appearance but are larger Then, they take on their characteristic bird droppings appearance. The chrysalis photo is from the http://www.naturemuseum.org/online/thebutterflylab/fieldguide/native.html This butterfly is the largest one. Its other common name is Orange Dog because they decimate citrus trees - not killing the trees but damaging crops. Northeast OK used to be just barely in their range but their range has grown significantly.

The most beautiful and watchable life in our gardens include butterflies, moths and skippers. Called the Lepidopteran order of insects, they pollinate plants as well as feed songbirds, reptiles and amphibians. Their pollination helps create fruit, vegetables and flowers. These insects go through metamorphosis in four stages A fertilized egg that hatches in about a week. The larval or caterpillar stage. During this period of life they eat leaves, shedding their skin several times as they grow larger. A pupa or chrysalis that the caterpillar attaches to a plant with silk. Inside the case, the caterpillar turns to liquid and forms into a butterfly, moth or skipper. The adult emerges with wet folded wings in about 2 weeks. Butterflies, moths and skippers need flower nectar, water, sunshine, a mud puddle and caterpillar food to raise the next generation. They also need a chemical free environment without pesticides, herbicides and other poisons. To attract adult butterflies and moths, prov...