Sherry,
What is that beautiful plant he is on? Probably not hardy in zone 5, right?

Martha

It's pentas, definitely not hardy in Zone5, because it's not hardy here on the border between Zones 8 and 9. This is my first time to grow pink pentas, and the nursery where I ordered them said it was the most vigorous of the various colors of pentas they grow. I'm hoping that this vigor will mean more cold tolerance, but I doubt it, I'll see.
Sherry

I hope your Pentas also draw in some tersa sphinx cats, too. Those are a real treat.

I do too, TW. I haven't gotten any tersas in a long time, maybe before Katrina. They used to show up on every pentas plant, and I enjoyed raising some of them myself - so cute!
Sherry

Yep, those are some lovely pentas! The butterfly is a beauty also.

Isn't it funny how we get a tickle out of budding butterfly romance? I had to laugh at a male monarch that sat for well over an hour waiting for what must eventually come around the giant milkweed.

The only butterfly I can count on to see everyday is the Pipevine Swallowtail. I love them. They are all over my large perennial NOID (No ID) lantana.

sandy

Simply stunning alright! I have not yet seen one in my yard this year. I do finally have a bit of host plant for them when they show. Are the cats very voracious eaters?

Yes, Angie, they eat a lot, but I don't think each individual caterpillar eats that much. It's just that there are so many of them!
Sherry

Always love your pictures Sherry. The Battus are magnificent, and your Pentas are beautiful.

With so many species/subspecies over so many years its kind of hard to pick a favorite. All of them seeked out, studied and reared were very enjoyable experiences. I guess since the Parnassiini where the first tribe I seriously studied to learn and discover the life histories of, they are probably still my favorites. Out of all of them I especially like the Parnassius autocrator complex from the Pamir Mountains in Afganistan and Tajikistan. For the North American species it's hard to beat the Parnassius eversmanni thor in Alaska.

{{gwi:529911}}

Those are beautiful and exotic looking butterflies, Larry!
I assume you were in Afghanistan when you studied them? I don't recall you mentioning having been in that country before. THAT must have been quite an experience!!
For that matter, studying the Alaskan species was probably an experience, too.

Gulf frits are a strong second favorite for me. Both Battus philenor and Agraulis vanillae cover your garden with their beautiful iridescent turquoise and bright red/orange colorings when they're at their peak, like they are now. Seeing pipevines and passionvines covered with caterpillars is a great sight!
Sherry

Sherry,
Nope, I never even came close to a chance to visit the home range of any of the Parnassius found in the USSR in person. But I did rear some of their livestock sent to me by a friend that was a lepidopterist for the Russian government. That was before the end of the Cold War too. Lepidopterists don't pay much mind to differences in politics IOW. ;)
L.