First Butterfly Emerges in 2012!

12 years ago

From the chrysalides in a cage on my front porch, that is.

It was a pipevine swallowtail. I think the white on the forewing is on the back of it and just showing through, so it's a male - he has too much blue to be a female.

The first spring butterflies are always so much smaller than the later ones, and this little guy was no exception -

{{gwi:453605}}
The freeze we had about a week ago killed a lot of the new growth that was sprouting on many plants here, but not all, so some things will have to start all over again.

It's warm today, though, and there are no freezes in the forecast - let's hope it stays that way, and spring is really here!

Sherry

Comments (8)

susanlynne48
12 years ago
I sure hope it's the last of any arctic blasts here in OKC, MissSherry!

He's a beauty, despite his small stature, and I'm sure the females won't know the difference, or won't care, lol!

I'm hoping the milkweed shows up earlier than last year. Remember when the migration started and very little milkweed was available yet?

I've got a great start on the Fennel, since it rarely gets killed back to the roots, and stays evergreen all winter.

Guess what I saw today? A big, beautiful Mourning Cloak! Yeah! Maybe there will be a good population of them this year. It's been awhile since I've seen any great numbers of them around, just one or two here and there. About 5 or 6 years ago, they were plentiful. So, I guess they experience population fluctuations, too.

Susan
MissSherry
Original Author
12 years ago
Fantastic, Susan!
I think mourning cloaks are one of the most beautiful of all butterflies. I've forgotten what their host plant is - willows? - but if I were you, I'd sure have some of it just in case I got lucky! Being on the very southern edge of their range, chances are slim to none I'd ever get any on my willows. I've only seen one, and that was in late fall, and the individual was very worn.
Sherry
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mboston_gw
12 years ago
I have had a female Spicebush and a male Giant Swallowtail emerge already from chrysalis that overwintered since July.
The poor Spicebush emerged just before our first cold spell and I wondered if she got far enough away.

Yesterday I had a female Giant and a male Giant in the yard as well as a female Spicebush and a Cloudless Sulphur and a very aggressive Monarch who wanted all of them out of his yard!
MissSherry
Original Author
12 years ago
You've seen a lot of butterflies for February, Mary - congratulations!
Another little male pipevine swallowtail emerged. I got his picture when he landed on the ground before flying off -
{{gwi:453606}}
I've been working outside again today in this cool weather. It sure is invigorating!
Sherry
MissSherry
Original Author
12 years ago
A female emerged today - she's a good bit bigger than the boys.
Sherry
susanlynne48
12 years ago
Yeah for FEMALES! They finally garner a WIN! in the insect world!
MissSherry
Original Author
12 years ago
Hehehe!

Sherry
MissSherry
Original Author
12 years ago
Another little male emerged today for a total of four PVS so far.
The pipevines are making new growth, so I guess they've emerged at the right time!
Sherry