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Post by Natalie on Aug 8, 2017 16:44:15 GMT -6
For the last three or four years, we have been raising butterflies. A couple of weeks ago we released a monarch, and today we had a swallowtail emerge. I love it, and find it amazing every single time. I think it is such a wonder that God created. ETA: I had a couple of photos and now they aren't showing....I'll work on that.  |
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Post by whatif on Aug 8, 2017 17:04:06 GMT -6
That is so awesome that you raise butterflies, Natalie! I bet they are gorgeous!
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Post by Natalie on Aug 8, 2017 18:46:39 GMT -6
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Post by Natalie on Aug 8, 2017 18:47:51 GMT -6
I think that worked. Swallowtails are probably my favorites. And they lay their eggs on parsley which is so easy to grow.
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Post by whatif on Aug 8, 2017 18:58:58 GMT -6
That is absolutely lovely, Natalie! Beautiful creatures!
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Post by Natalie on Aug 8, 2017 19:41:55 GMT -6
I had the idea for this picture and was able to get it to work. I think clicking on it makes it bigger and readable.  I've only raised monarchs and swallowtails, but I have seen other varieties around. I haven't had as many caterpillars this year, but I haven't put a lot of work into it this summer either. |
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Post by whatif on Aug 8, 2017 20:46:49 GMT -6
Yes, the picture worked just fine, Natalie! Wow! I love the message of being born again that is shown with it!
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thart
New Member
Posts: 4 
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Post by thart on Aug 8, 2017 21:14:06 GMT -6
The butterflies are beautiful! I saw two today in our backyard. A Monarch and a Swallotail. We planted Milkweed with hopes the Monarchs would come. Not sure we will be around to see them much longer. But the thought of what Abba has for us in heaven has me wondering.
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Post by watchmanjim on Aug 8, 2017 23:58:19 GMT -6
Welcome, Thart!
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Post by whatif on Aug 9, 2017 0:42:48 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum, thart! It's a pleasure to meet you!
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Post by Natalie on Aug 9, 2017 11:01:48 GMT -6
The butterflies are beautiful! I saw two today in our backyard. A Monarch and a Swallotail. We planted Milkweed with hopes the Monarchs would come. Not sure we will be around to see them much longer. But the thought of what Abba has for us in heaven has me wondering. I haven't seen many butterflies or caterpillars this year, but I also haven't put in much effort. Last year I had a big pot of tropical milkweed that was a great butterfly and bee attraction. I didn't plant any this year. I've just let my milkweed in the garden do it's own thing. Last year I had about 45 swallowtails and 60 monarchs. It was a lot of work at times. Probably one of the reasons I am taking a step back this year. But I greatly enjoyed the joy on the faces of my kids and the neighbor boys as they helped release the butterflies. And I was able to give the neighbor some so her boys could watch the whole process. I can't wait to see what wonders we will experience! |
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Post by Natalie on May 17, 2018 14:06:51 GMT -6
bumping up this thread because I just saw my first Monarch of the season. She left me four eggs. My prairie milkweed in my garden is only about six inches tall and my swamp milkweed hasn't come up at all. I don't remember if it is normally late, or maybe it didn't make it over the winter. I have 8 tropical plants in a couple of big pots and that's what she found. I started it this winter so it's a good size. I debated messing with it this year, but it gives me something to do while we wait. And butterflies are one of my favorite things God created. |
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Post by Natalie on Jul 21, 2018 20:59:57 GMT -6
I have had lots of caterpillars this year. I have given away almost thirty monarch cats and eggs to fellow homeschool moms. We released 17 monarchs the past two days and should have 4 more tomorrow. I gave my neighbor three, and they released them today, too. I have a bunch of black swallowtails. Still waiting on them to emerge (aka eclose). We also have giant swallowtails this year. We found two caterpillars that are currently in chrysalis, one that's eating, and two eggs. My twelve year old said they are his favorites. I asked, "Why? Because the caterpillars look like bird poop?" (because he is a 12 year old boy ) He said, "No, because they are sooooo BIG!" I have also found out that they have their own schedule and take a long time. Monarchs are so much more predictable. Here are two boys:  ![]() The black dots on the lower wings tell that it's a boy: ![]()  My son, who loves all bugs....He had a lot of fun with this guy. He walked around for quite awhile with it sitting on his head. ![]()  |
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Post by rt on Aug 7, 2018 18:31:28 GMT -6
For the last three or four years, we have been raising butterflies. A couple of weeks ago we released a monarch, and today we had a swallowtail emerge. I love it, and find it amazing every single time. I think it is such a wonder that God created. ETA: I had a couple of photos and now they aren't showing....I'll work on that. Natalie, can you explain how you raise them or link to a good you tube video. I grew parsley this year and had four swallowtail caterpillars on it, but they munched it all up and fled the scene. I would love to raise a couple. Thanks |
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Post by Natalie on Aug 7, 2018 20:07:30 GMT -6
This year I ordered some butterfly mesh pop ups. You can get them on amazon or other places online. I've heard of people finding mesh hampers at WalMart that work, too. They zip shut which keeps caterpillars in and predators out. Plus with the sides being mesh a butterfly can climb the sides to hang to let their wings dry. For a much cheaper alternative, I have used pop up hampers from the dollar store (turned on their sides), but you have to secure some kind of material over the opening. And I can't always find them. You can also use something like an ice cream bucket or Rubbermaid container with toule / netting / old pantyhose secured over the top. Just give them some sticks to climb on to make their chrysalis and to hang from when they emerge (or they will climb to the top to hang). Here's my hamper with a whole potted parsley in it. ![]()  Most of the time I just poke holes in the lid of a plastic container. The container holds water and I stick the parsley or whatever in the holes. Their food stays fresh this way, and their frass (poo) falls down away from them. I set this on a dollar store pizza pan, or some paper towels, or a paper plate for easy clean up. This is rue with giant swallowtails on it:  I also have a Rubbermaid container that's 15 quart. I cut out a large portion of the lid. I lay netting (toule from JoAnn's) over the top and then put on the lid. Placing some sticks in there at different angles gives them a place to pupate (make their chrysalis). I can get you a picture of that in the next day or two if you would like. It kind of depends on how many caterpillars you have to how big of container you put them in. My pop up would easily be enough room for 20-25, but the tub I would probably only do about 6-8. You probably wouldn't want 20 at a time to start anyway. One of the giants:  This is our first year raising giants. They are my son's favorite because they are so big. I hope that's helpful. I love sharing this hobby with others so feel free to ask questions. |
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