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Sun, Sep 2, 12 at 19:53
| It's been a bad year for butterflies - last year I raised over 60 black swallowtails. This year I have had less than a dozen. Yesterday I found a dozen or so new eggs on my rue, very happy about that. However I found at least a dozen or more "empty" eggs...perfectly shaped but clear with nothing inside. I read here before that the butterflies don't know they aren't viable, just laying anyway.
This year I have gotten a number of black eggs too. At first I thought they were previously overlooked, and ready to hatch. But nothing ever happened. Then I realized they were way too black...swallowtail eggs don't get that dark before hatching. Anyone have the same thing or know what's going on? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by misssherry Z8/9MS (My Page) on Mon, Sep 3, 12 at 10:46
| I don't know why some eggs are black, but I've seen it here and there often through the years, especially with giant swallowtail eggs. I get more clear, empty eggs from the giants, too. Neither the black ones or clear ones hatch and make a caterpillar, though. 'Sorry! :( Sherry |
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- Posted by susanlynne48 OKC7a (My Page) on Mon, Sep 3, 12 at 21:02
| Drat it! I hope you get some viable ones, too! Susan |
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- Posted by butterflyVA none23225 (My Page) on Tue, Sep 4, 12 at 13:28
| wow! Record numbers of black swallowtail here in Virginia. Was checking in to find info on eggs not hatching. Thought they might have been infertile, and seems that is one possible cause. Still have many that are hatching though. Ample monarchs, painted ladies, sleepy orange's, and some zebra's. GREAT butterfly year here. |
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- Posted by butterflyVA none (My Page) on Tue, Sep 4, 12 at 13:34
| and these fun guys too! Harris's 3-spot - Harrisimemna trisignata |
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- Posted by butterflyVA none (My Page) on Tue, Sep 4, 12 at 13:36
| burrowing. master carpenter. |
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