Zebra longwing butterfly DSC_7312
I have raised eighty of these beauties so far this year. I imagine that most of them have eclosed (hatched) by now. The yard certainly is brimming with their movement.
Paula, my wonderful neighbor took in all of my chrysalises while I was away for a short but unexpected trip. Although I returned Friday evening, I have not checked in with her yet. Paula loves it when I go out of town and she gets to release the butterflies. Then she is happy when I return so I can take all of the containers away.
I always have a backup plan in case Paula is not available but that means giving the chrysalises to Rhonda. Rhonda is a professional butterly farmer so I know they would be in good hands. However, instead of being released in my yard or my neighbors yard they would be sold to various butterfly houses. Who knows where they would end up?
I rarely ask Paula to take in caterpillars that are in protective custody. That is unless they are about to pupate and she won't have to do any of the work necessary for their care. Unfortunately, for unexpected trips, that means the cats are returned to nature to fend for themselves. I had to put twenty goldrims back on their host plants. I bet the birds were happy about that. The birds were gifted a chance at some good sized caterpillars.
It's daylight now, so it's time to get back to normal. I am off to make some "hot" coffee and get started collecting eggs and cats again.
I hope that you are fortunate enough to have good neighbors like I do and to be a good neighbor as needed. Have a wonderful day and happy snapping.
Zebra longwing butterfly DSC_7312
I have raised eighty of these beauties so far this year. I imagine that most of them have eclosed (hatched) by now. The yard certainly is brimming with their movement.
Paula, my wonderful neighbor took in all of my chrysalises while I was away for a short but unexpected trip. Although I returned Friday evening, I have not checked in with her yet. Paula loves it when I go out of town and she gets to release the butterflies. Then she is happy when I return so I can take all of the containers away.
I always have a backup plan in case Paula is not available but that means giving the chrysalises to Rhonda. Rhonda is a professional butterly farmer so I know they would be in good hands. However, instead of being released in my yard or my neighbors yard they would be sold to various butterfly houses. Who knows where they would end up?
I rarely ask Paula to take in caterpillars that are in protective custody. That is unless they are about to pupate and she won't have to do any of the work necessary for their care. Unfortunately, for unexpected trips, that means the cats are returned to nature to fend for themselves. I had to put twenty goldrims back on their host plants. I bet the birds were happy about that. The birds were gifted a chance at some good sized caterpillars.
It's daylight now, so it's time to get back to normal. I am off to make some "hot" coffee and get started collecting eggs and cats again.
I hope that you are fortunate enough to have good neighbors like I do and to be a good neighbor as needed. Have a wonderful day and happy snapping.