Black Swallowtail DSC_5195
I have always called this butterfly the eastern black swallowtail. I understand that it in no longer widely called the eastern black swallowtail these days though. Most people just call it the black swallowtail. Although some call it an American swallowtail or parsnip swallowtail.
I raised this one last year. It pupated and overwintered in protective custody on my lanai. I had actually forgotten about this and a couple of other chrysalis' that were out there on my zz plant. I still have a goldrim butterfly and I believe a giant swallowtail butterfly chrysalis out there and hope they too, made it safely thought the winter and will eclose soon.
The caterpillars for the black swallowtail are really pretty but they are rather clumsy and are difficult to raise. I have no intention of raising them this year, but we will see how that goes :)
I have parsley, lots of parsley, in the yard as the host plant and a new plant I recently purchased for the bog from sweet bay nursery. Sweet bay is my nearest native plant nursery. The helpful staff suggested the bog plant since I told them I have a bog and was looking for butterfly host plants during our conversations. I should have written down the name of that plant but I did not and now I don't even know what it is. Anyway, the plant is supposed to reseed itself and be highly attractive to the black swallowtail. It's also supposed help the caterpillars with their primary defense against predators. That would be to make them taste and smell bad so nothing wants to eat them.
I am wondering if it's just me or if everyone is having trouble with posting replies to comments on flickr these days. I am not ignoring everyone that has been giving me feedback and comments on my images, I just keep getting a message saying my comment can't be posted :(
I would like to say that I certainly do appreciate the comments that are left regarding my images. I also appreciate the faves. Thanks so much!
Black Swallowtail DSC_5195
I have always called this butterfly the eastern black swallowtail. I understand that it in no longer widely called the eastern black swallowtail these days though. Most people just call it the black swallowtail. Although some call it an American swallowtail or parsnip swallowtail.
I raised this one last year. It pupated and overwintered in protective custody on my lanai. I had actually forgotten about this and a couple of other chrysalis' that were out there on my zz plant. I still have a goldrim butterfly and I believe a giant swallowtail butterfly chrysalis out there and hope they too, made it safely thought the winter and will eclose soon.
The caterpillars for the black swallowtail are really pretty but they are rather clumsy and are difficult to raise. I have no intention of raising them this year, but we will see how that goes :)
I have parsley, lots of parsley, in the yard as the host plant and a new plant I recently purchased for the bog from sweet bay nursery. Sweet bay is my nearest native plant nursery. The helpful staff suggested the bog plant since I told them I have a bog and was looking for butterfly host plants during our conversations. I should have written down the name of that plant but I did not and now I don't even know what it is. Anyway, the plant is supposed to reseed itself and be highly attractive to the black swallowtail. It's also supposed help the caterpillars with their primary defense against predators. That would be to make them taste and smell bad so nothing wants to eat them.
I am wondering if it's just me or if everyone is having trouble with posting replies to comments on flickr these days. I am not ignoring everyone that has been giving me feedback and comments on my images, I just keep getting a message saying my comment can't be posted :(
I would like to say that I certainly do appreciate the comments that are left regarding my images. I also appreciate the faves. Thanks so much!