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I'm an accidental QM mom!
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Posted by tamgirl99 Dallas (My Page) on Sat, Jul 4, 09 at 14:39
| Today I was out back deadheading a few flowers and pulling a few weeds when I came across a small tree growing near a fence. I cut it down and then spotted a very large Question Mark cat hanging out next to it and two tiny ones on a couple of leaves. That's when I realized it must have been an elm tree that was growing (I know nothing about weeds/trees and they all look the same to me when they're that small).
I set up a container with some twigs and filled it with lots of the leaves I cut. I also took some of the other branches and put them in some water hoping they'll last long enough for these little guys. I cut a large hole in the middle of the lid and put some mesh fabric between it and the container so they can't get out but have lots of air and a place to hang if needed.
The one cat looks like he's about ready to pupate but the other two appear to have just hatched. Does anyone know what the length of their stages are? I'll need to go hunt down another elm depending on how long they remain as cats.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: I'm an accidental QM mom!
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We had them in the house last year and if I remember right, I think the pupal stage was the same as the swallowtails, around two weeks. I am terrible at keeping track. You are in for a treat! The chrysalis is so pretty! They overwinter as adults. In fact, I see them on the trails in the woods early spring. As long as it is warm enough they are out. They are one of my favorites in the house (uh oh, there goes one of my favorite three bumped off the list). Although they "nectar" on sap in the woods, they use flowers in the house and land on our shoulders all the time. They are very personable. You might end up growing a hops vine after this. Cascade makes a good beer I hear :)!
-Elisabeth |
RE: I'm an accidental QM mom!
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| You are so fortunate! I've been waiting for them to find the hops vines in my gardens for two years. A few years ago I found a dead adult in my garden, so I figure some day they will find the hops. Have fun--can you post pics? |
RE: I'm an accidental QM mom!
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| The large cat is pupating (is that a word?) today so I'll get some pics tonight if possible. The elm that they found was only about a foot high so I wonder if elm would be their preferred choice to hops? You might want to give it a shot if it's been two years on the hops and no cats. I'm assuming you could control the growth of an elm if you pot it. Just a thought! |
RE: I'm an accidental QM mom!
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| I don't even know if there is elm around here--I know that there is some disease that destroyed most of the trees, but someone somewhere is working on a disease resistant elm. I'll have to go check for what elm seedling trees look like. If I can find any, I'll definitely do the tree in the pot suggestion! Looking forward to hearing about your QMs! |
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