Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Black swallowtails :-) (Original Post) femmocrat Jul 2013 OP
They are both beautiful! --nt CrispyQ Jul 2013 #1
I hope they left a little bit of the herbs for you Curmudgeoness Jul 2013 #2
I feel the same way. NCarolinawoman Jul 2013 #4
I know you don't mind sharing your garden with such beautiful creatures. In_The_Wind Jul 2013 #3
My parsley is currently hosting five in various stages. WCLinolVir Aug 2013 #5
That is cool. femmocrat Aug 2013 #6
Yes I had a large one who disappeared. WCLinolVir Aug 2013 #7
Beautiful...both the before and after pix alfie Sep 2013 #8
Both beautiful. I was surprised recently to find 5 caterpillars on my Rue.... ellenrr Oct 2013 #9

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
2. I hope they left a little bit of the herbs for you
Fri Jul 26, 2013, 05:26 PM
Jul 2013

but I have a feeling that they didn't. I always get excited when a butterfly appreciates one of my plants, even if they do decimate them.

NCarolinawoman

(2,825 posts)
4. I feel the same way.
Sat Jul 27, 2013, 08:31 PM
Jul 2013

Sometimes I bring them inside and raise them, to protect them from predators (mostly birds). Course I love the birds as well-- just don't want them to eat my future butterflies until they at least have a chance.

femmocrat

(28,394 posts)
6. That is cool.
Fri Aug 30, 2013, 07:52 PM
Aug 2013

I only had the a couple of caterpillars that ate all the parsley and then disappeared. I looked around in the surrounding foliage for a chrysalis but didn't see anything. I hope the birds didn't get them. I enjoyed them while they were here, though, and the parsley grew back. I also found one in the dill weed.

WCLinolVir

(951 posts)
7. Yes I had a large one who disappeared.
Fri Aug 30, 2013, 11:43 PM
Aug 2013

And another smaller one who is dead in the dirt so I am going to take a small fish tank and set them in it. I am surprised by how fast they grow. Just yesterday they were
half their size. I bought another parsley plant for them.
Luckily it's organic and on clearance at the grocery store. The butterflies love my compost pile which I am not very good about turning regularly. The raccoon has been eating my old squash. I'm just surprised I have not seen the opossum there. I did come across a black woolly, also known as a giant leopard moth caterpillar.

ellenrr

(3,864 posts)
9. Both beautiful. I was surprised recently to find 5 caterpillars on my Rue....
Sat Oct 12, 2013, 07:15 AM
Oct 2013

altho glad to see them.
It seems very late for caterpillars, I expect them in the Spring.
?
(I'm in NJ)

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»Black swallowtails :-)