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mechelle_m

Pipevine Swallowtail Visit

mechelle_m
10 years ago

On Sunday, a momma pipevine swallowtail visited my aristolochia fimbriata and stayed for over an hour! She let me get close to her while laying eggs and I got some great shots. I had my first pvs cats last year but never saw the momma laying eggs. I feel like I got to visit with her she stayed so long. Now I hope I have enough host plant to feed all her babies!

Comments (7)

  • MissSherry
    10 years ago

    Woo Hoo, lucky you!

    You'll have the pleasure of watching those pipevine babies grow!!

    Sherry

  • bandjzmom
    10 years ago

    Wowza!!! That is so awesome! I know that they get kinda trance- like when they are laying eggs. I am so hoping for some Pipevine cats some day. I have a bit of the White veined Pipevine in the yard, but it isn't enough to support many cats if I got eggs. Haven't I read that the cats are little piggies? Congratulations to you. Keep us posted.
    Angie

  • mechelle_m
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Two days after the eggs were laid, a few of them hatched! They are voracious eaters, but thankfully I have the aristolochia trilobata to fall back on when the fimbriata is all eaten up. I am so excited about all these babies. I went to collect cats and eggs today and found that a lot of the eggs had disappeared, no doubt to wasps. The wasps have been really bad this year. Will keep posting about the progress of the cats.

    Mechelle

  • bandjzmom
    10 years ago

    Very nice shot Mechelle! Makes me want to rush out into the yard to check on my Pipevine! Those wasps know. I think they watch for the butterflies to lay their eggs so that they know where to go to eat.

  • Mary Leek
    10 years ago

    Mechelle,

    What wonderful photos. That is a fantastic shot of a mama Pipevine Swallowtail laying eggs. How special to have the chance to spend time so close to her.

    For the first time, my patch of aristolochia fimbriata is really eaten down but, here, the pipevine babies seem to have a better chance of going undetected down close to the ground so I bring all the cats I can reach to the aristolochia fimbriata. Planning on planting another little patch this season, as soon as the seeds are mature.

    Please keep the photos coming. I learn so much from studying everyone's photos.

    Mary

  • Tom
    10 years ago

    From my perspective that first pic is extraordinary. Pipevines are difficult to photograph because they move so fast and usually seem to be easily disturbed.

    Congratulations!

  • four (9B near 9A)
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    To those who grow A. trilobata :
    Will anything regrow on, or out of, defoliated stems?
    It has been four weeks since start of defoliation by Polydamas.
    I removed all caterpillars. Stems are healty, some lower leaves remain.
    No hint of new growth.

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