DO YOUR PART- grow milkweed - Page 6 - Orchid Board

Dollythehun · #51 07-04-2021, 07:23 AM

We have lots of bees of all types; few butterflies. The Indiana DNR is asking us all to take down our feeders due to an as yet undetermined bird disease sweeping the state. Symptoms include crusty eyes and neurological damage. But we have plenty of Gypsy moths, which is a whole nother post.

Leafmite · #52 07-08-2021, 01:47 PM

We have bumblebees now (lots of flowers blooming outside--they especially are enjoying the lavender) but we are not seeing the Italian honey bees or many butterflies as in years past.
I haven't seen any sick birds, just very, very few birds (we normally have plenty of birds visiting and nesting in the yard). I hope they quickly find the cause/cure for whatever is ailing the birds. I even miss them eating all the berries.

Fuerte Rav · #53 07-08-2021, 07:15 PM

Following on from post #48 I moved 2 African Monarch caterpillars to a closed environment so I could watch their chrysalid development. The caterpillars seemed to get just as large as the normal Monarchs.

They have formed their chrysalids which look identical to the normal Monarch chrysalids except they are in miniature! Only about half the size.

JScott · #54 07-08-2021, 10:04 PM

I'll have you know, I just planted 4 milkweed plants

Dollythehun · #55 07-08-2021, 10:15 PM

I have you beat by 66.

JScott · #56 07-08-2021, 10:16 PM

Ah! You beat me again!

Leafmite · #57 07-08-2021, 10:54 PM

I have a few clumps of milkweed, parsley and some Queen Annie's Lace out there. I really love the monarch's and swallowtails.

JScott · #58 07-08-2021, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I have a few clumps of milkweed, parsley and some Queen Annie's Lace out there. I really love the monarch's and swallowtails.

I used to plant a ton of dill and parsley for the Swallowtails in Oklahoma, and it was invariable. If you planted it, you would have swallowtail caterpillars, and quite a few of them. I've tried doing the same thing here in Texas, and I've seen not a single one. Maybe their range doesn't extend this far south.

Leafmite · #59 07-08-2021, 11:49 PM

You could try planting maypops as they are host to other types of butterflies. The flowers are very pretty and fragrant, too. As you live where they can easily spread, I would plant them in a large pot to contain those roots

JScott · #60 07-09-2021, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

You could try planting maypops as they are host to other types of butterflies. The flowers are very pretty and fragrant, too. As you live where they can easily spread, I would plant them in a large pot to contain those roots

That's a good idea. The Gulf Fritillary caterpillars feed on plants in the genus Passiflora. We had those in Oklahoma too. Most species of Passiflora are not perennial in Oklahoma, but lots of people plant them as annuals. Gulf fritillaries are not considered indigenous to Oklahoma, and if you look at a map of the Gulf Fritillary's range, it will not extend up to Oklahoma, but we sure do have them there. Just like the dill and swallowtails, if you plant Passiflora, you WILL have Gulf Fritillaries. Maybe I'll plant some passion flower next year and see if I can find some gulf fritillaries.