Swallowtail caterpillars

[biosphere]

I now have four tiny cats munching on my one parsley plant.* I replanted dill for them, not up yet -* but what else can I feed them?* Fresh parsley from the grocery?* They are in my herb planter, not touching basil, oregano, marigolds.* Also, it is 102 degree heat index - do they need shade?* I have a beach umbrella....

[Newt]

How wonderful!!* :dude:* BUT, and I say that with a big BUT!* Don't be heartbroken if the birds serve your cats for lunch to their babies.* Been there, watched that!* I've found that fennel is a great larval food, but it does get tall and seed around the garden bed.* I haven't found it across the yard, but it is managing to take over one garden I have.

I did a google with the term:
swallowtail larval food
Here's one site from California that lists what they like.* It also lists larval food for other butterfly cats.* Sorry, I don't remember if you told me where you live and I don't see it in your profile, so I don't know which type of swallowtails you have.* I suspect they could be the black swallowtail if they are eating parsley.* Parsley from the grocery would work, but you'd have to change the water daily and try and shade the container a bit from the sun so the water doesn't heat up too much.* The heat index won't effect the temperature of the water.
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/bflyplnt.htm
http://www.floridaconservation.org/v...ygardening.pdf

Newt

[greeness]

[align=left]I know what you mean about fennel spreading--we have one that is trying to take over it's area, but we keep chopping it back. I have swallowtail butterflies around my yard, so I bet the fennel is attracting them. Like all else in life, fennel has it's good and bad points! [/align]

[biosphere]

Thanks for the info - this is the first time I have had a chance to watch this process.* It is black swallowtail - I am in zone 9.* I am now serving fresh parsley and fennel from the grocery ( no plants available locally that looked healthy), with side orders of basil and oregano - for ambiance - marigolds for color .... and light jazz.* This is fun - will start the parsley earlier next year.* Any caterpillars for Zone 9 in winter?

[greeness]

I'm not an entomologist, but I believe butterflies are "hardwired" to produce duirng the optimum growing season. I do know that birds native to desert areas south of the equator breed like crazy when it rains. They respond to the dip in pressure as a signal that there will be sufficient food for their babies (rain generates plants, seeds, etc.) I wonder if the climate in zone 9 keeps the butterflies going all year?

[Newt]

Biosphere,

I'm sooo glad you've taken an interest in butterflies.* I don't remember if you've ever mentioned the state you live in, but it would be easier to seek out info on which butterflies are in your area that way.** Zone 9 can get down to 20*F in winter, so I don't think you'll find much butterfly activity.* Have you seen butterflies in winter where you are?



Greeness,

That was so interesting about what prompts desert birds to start breeding.*


Newt

[biosphere]

Not sure if this is good or bad news.* I had all 4 cats in a raised planter, and they ate the fennel and parsley readily for about a day and a half.* Then they all crawled out of the planter and headed for my fern bed.*

According to the site I used for reference, they should be at the stage to do that, leaving the food source and travelling a bit to set up housekeeping for the next phase.* I had just hoped they would use the lattice......* no idea where they went.

I am on the beach, east coast of central Florida.* Because of the ocean, temps here are higher in winter than temps inland, but the wind is horrific......* wind chill is horriffic.

I have an enclosed tropical garden on the south side, and would love to host whatever will be here in the winter.* I have a camphor tree, therefore birds.... plenty of lizards, no frogs, occassional lubbers.

Question about collard greens - my seeds came up, seedlings look healthy, now have tiny holes in leaves.* Will Google, but what makes tiny round holes in collard leaves?* Not touching the lettuce.

[Newt]

Don't worry too much about your cats, they'll be back to drink the nectar from your plants.

You'll find this site helpful for butterfly gardening year round.*
http://www.nsis.org/butterfly/

This might be helpful for your collard pests.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG150

There are usually organic solutions for pests.* You might want to hold on to these sites.

Natural plant disease remedies
http://www.ghorganics.com/page15.html

Natural insect control
http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html

Newt

[biosphere]

NEWT** Thanks for the links.* I will leave the planter where it is (easy to watch), strew a little parsley around as bait, and see what happens.* I hope they stay and hatch in my courtyard.

[Newt]

Biosphere, you are so very welcome!* If you find out what it attacking your collards, I'd love to know what it is.

Newt