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If Something is Not Eating Your Plants,
Then Your Garden is Not Part of the Ecosystem
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Greetings Fellow Backyard Butterfliers,
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I hope this finds you in good health and spirits as we commence the month of May.
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We are dedicating this month to the Eastern Black Swallowtail (EBT). I'll be making special posts on our Facebook page about EBTs this month. I have nicknamed them butterfly ninjas because they are seldom seen in our habitat as butterflies but we always have an abundance of caterpillars. I estimate over the years I've hand raised about a thousand caterpillars. That's a lot of frass!
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It is our hope that we will still be able to host our Annual Open House & Plant Swap around the time of the Summer Solstice. Stay tuned for an announcement in our June newsletter. John has been putting in a lot of hours cleaning up the gardens and performing general maintenance. It's looking spectacular!
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The thousands of plants we had ready for the Duke Gardens Spring Plant Sale are starting to out grow their pots. Instead of investing in larger pots we decided it would be better to have a clearance sale. Once a plant is sold out it will not be available again until next year; however, if enough people sign up to be wait-listed for a particular plant we may do a small production run.
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We truly appreciate all of the support we have received from you, be it the purchase of plants or the referrals and recommendations you've made to friends or fellow butterfly enthusiasts. Thank you, reader, for helping us fulfill our missions!
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Peace, love, health, and butterflies!
~ LMCarlson
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Life Cycle of the Eastern Black Swallowtail
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The Eastern Black Swallowtail (EBT) caterpillar uses host plants in the Carrot Family (Apiaceae) which includes parsley, dill, and fennel. Gardeners who grow these herbs may refer to them as "parsley worms".
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From egg to butterfly is about one month during the spring and summer. In the late summer into fall the chrysalis hibernates for 6-10 months before the adult ecloses in the spring. Butterflies live for just a few weeks in the spring and summer.
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We hope that we can still conduct Caterpillar Raising Workshops this September. Until then if you need any assistance with raising caterpillars please contact us.
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Click image for full size
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A Few Tips for Raising EBT Caterpillars in Critter Keepers
- You can never over feed a caterpillar. Be sure to have an adequate supply of caterpillar safe host plant.
- Always assume that any host plant you buy that is intended for human consumption has been treated with pesticides. This includes organic pesticides.
- To keep host plants from wilting or drying out, poke holes in the lid of snack cups and use them as vases.
- Be on the look-out for a big sludge of frass. It means the caterpillar has purged and is getting ready to pupate and become a chrysalis.
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The Monarchs Have Arrived!
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On the afternoon of April 17th I had the pleasure of watching a very worn Monarch lay eggs throughout the newly emerging milkweeds in our habitat. Then on April 28th I discovered the first caterpillars. And so begins the first brood of the year!
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Save the Dates: NABA Counts
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Recently NABA issued a statement that counts may still be conducted if the count compiler determines it would be safe enough to do so. We as well as Jeff Pippen will still be conducting our respective counts in August.
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Sunday, August 9, 2020 9:00 to 3:00 PM
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Contact: Backyard Butterflies
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Monarch eggs on Swamp Milkweed
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We offer Caterpillar Support to those who are in need of host plants, foster care, or adoption of caterpillars.
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There are 18 species of caterpillar that we can provide the host plant for, and we can also provide host plants for some species of moths.
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This program is free of charge. All you need to do is apply letting us know what host plants you need, or if you need us to foster care or adopt your caterpillars.
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Black Swallowtail caterpillars
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Plant Pots Return Request
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We appreciate the return of pots for re-use if you happen to be passing by our way. No need to contact us, just drop them off on our porch.
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Sneak Peek for June Newsletter:
The Question Mark
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