Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly DSC_0161 8 31
I am still fascinated with the pipevine swallowtail butterfly as it flits about the yard. The caterpillars are very difficult to raise. Although their numbers are up in my yard I can see why they are rare. Females will lay eggs on the Dutchmans pipevine which is plentiful in my yard but it seems to be a bit toxic to them, so they eat for a few days then die. Aristolochia fimbriata (White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe) seems to work well to raise these beauties. I have some of that variety but not a lot of it. I am trying to grow some inside to be transplanted outside for spring and of course keep some inside as clean predator free food for any caterpillars I can find to raise.
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly DSC_0161 8 31
I am still fascinated with the pipevine swallowtail butterfly as it flits about the yard. The caterpillars are very difficult to raise. Although their numbers are up in my yard I can see why they are rare. Females will lay eggs on the Dutchmans pipevine which is plentiful in my yard but it seems to be a bit toxic to them, so they eat for a few days then die. Aristolochia fimbriata (White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe) seems to work well to raise these beauties. I have some of that variety but not a lot of it. I am trying to grow some inside to be transplanted outside for spring and of course keep some inside as clean predator free food for any caterpillars I can find to raise.