Currently Happening in My Garden
Today (September 5, 2018) I discovered 2 different kinds of caterpillars on my rue.
It's an herb, if you have never heard of it.
This is the second summer I have planted rue in hopes of hosting some caterpillars from these swallowtails!.
Last summer my son planted a rue plant in our yard not knowing it was a butterfly host plant.
I quickly figured this out when several caterpillars appeared on it!
So this year I planted 2 new rue plants.
Black swallowtail caterpillars
The top photo is an older caterpillar that is close to being ready to change into a chrysalis!
The bottom photo is one that is much younger.
These next two have show the coloration that they have when they hatch out of their eggs.
The last 2 photos are giant swallowtail caterpillars.
Notice how it resembles bird poop!
Lepidopterist say this is how they protect themselves from being eaten!
(Lepidopterology is a branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three super families of butterflies.
Someone that studies in this field is a lepidopterist.)
I'm so happy to see these in my yard.
They will actually form chrysalises this time of year and maybe not emerge until next summer!
Both of these types of caterpillars usually only have 1 or 2 broods a year in my part of Texas.
I'm not sure about other states or countries.
Have a Blessed Day!
All original photos taken on my iPhone 8 Plus
September 5, 2018
If my paternal grandfather was still alive, he would be 108 years old today!
I just wonder what he would think about all the changes in technology, etc. that have changed since he passed away at age 75!