Rue and Butterflies!
Currently Happening in My Garden
Today (September 5, 2018) I discovered 2 different kinds of caterpillars on my rue.
It's an herb, if you have never heard of it.
This is the second summer I have planted rue in hopes of hosting some caterpillars from these swallowtails!.
Last summer my son planted a rue plant in our yard not knowing it was a butterfly host plant.
I quickly figured this out when several caterpillars appeared on it!
So this year I planted 2 new rue plants.
Black swallowtail caterpillars
The top photo is an older caterpillar that is close to being ready to change into a chrysalis!
The bottom photo is one that is much younger.
These next two have show the coloration that they have when they hatch out of their eggs.
The last 2 photos are giant swallowtail caterpillars.
Notice how it resembles bird poop!
Lepidopterist say this is how they protect themselves from being eaten!
(Lepidopterology is a branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three super families of butterflies.
Someone that studies in this field is a lepidopterist.)
I'm so happy to see these in my yard.
They will actually form chrysalises this time of year and maybe not emerge until next summer!
Both of these types of caterpillars usually only have 1 or 2 broods a year in my part of Texas.
I'm not sure about other states or countries.
Have a Blessed Day!
All original photos taken on my iPhone 8 Plus
September 5, 2018
If my paternal grandfather was still alive, he would be 108 years old today!
I just wonder what he would think about all the changes in technology, etc. that have changed since he passed away at age 75!
Whoa! That first catepillar is totally other-worldy. I would crop that image to really put the focus on that TRIPPY creature, AND the cool shapes of the rue leaves -->
Yes, great idea!
Thank you for being a member and supporter of the creativebot.
Enjoy your day and stay creative!
Keep Steeming on!! <3
howdy violetmed! wow so these things form a chrysalises and then those stay like in hibernation in the cold winter weather?
Yes, isn't that amazing! I personally witnessed this last winter! Also I went to a talk by a butterfly expert about 3 weeks ago where he reiterated this same fact. Another interesting thing is we have butterflies that overwinter in the adult butterfly stage here in North Texas. They hide in bushes on extremely cold days. Hope you had a great Wednesday!
howdy this fine Thursday violetmed! wow I had no idea. I would have guess that they all got killed off in the winter, I mean like the last couple of winters when it got down to 13 degrees and such, I don't know how they survived! very interesting, thank you...how is teaching going? are kids getting dumber these days or is it about the same? lol
Thank you for this post. Not only have you shared beautiful caterpillar photos but I had never heard of rue. In looking it up just now, I read that it repels dogs, cats, and Japanese beetles. Good to know!
Yes, apparently it is very useful! Some people are allergic to the leaves after they rub on their skin! I've handled the leaves and I apparently am not allergic to it!
Nice pictures but one thing that touched my heart was the last paragraph your grandpa if he was alive today he must be cutest then kids and with his innocence he might have asked you questions about operationg things in today's world and after doing it correctly he must be smiling like an achievement.
I Know this because I see my grandma doing these things whenever I teach her how to use Alexa she smiles when it answers her questions they are like kids innocent with a very tender heart💗
Oh yes, he would really be very interested in how cell phones, the internet and all the rest of the new technology works. Enjoy your grandma!
Wonderful capture!! :D
The color of the caterpillars is so beautiful. very nice details :) wonderful photography my friend :))
Thank you so much!
most welcome
That is a nice idea hehe..I mean the young caterpillar how they look like bird poop to avoid been eating up, this rue look like a herb from here we called it etipon ola, we usually make use of it to fight any kind of skins diseases... Maybe its the same but soil texture made it look a bit different don't know tho...
As for your grandfather, may his soul rest in peace! And Yes it will be nice if he was alive to see how technology turned everything is this our generation, but it is life, and death is inevitable, generation go and generation come. Eish life...
Thanks for share @violetmed
Nice, beautiful and informative. Keep sharing, great work!
Thank you and I will!
@violetmed How interesting that the caterpillars are host in the mata de ruda. It is imprecionante as they resemble the poop of birds to camouflage themselves and to pass unnoticed to avoid being eaten. You always teach us something new every day of our beautiful nature. It is shocking to see the whole process of transforming caterpillars into butterflies so close to our lives. It is good that they are in your patio and you can enjoy seeing this wonder of our nature. A happy evening dear friend @violetmed.
I was waiting for your publication today. I wonder if you like red flowers.
Yes, it's beautiful! It's an amaryllis!