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#1 |
WG Contest Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Browns Mills, NJ
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First a little background;
I REALLY like the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar! Mary and I have been searching for a spicebush for about 2 years and finally found one. I planted it in what I felt was the perfect area in the yarden to do well, and have been checking it every day in hope of finding a caterpillar. I have been seeing evidence of someone eating the leaves as I find with all the plants in the yarden, always makes me smile. Now, for the birthday gift; This morning I finally found the telltale evidence of a caterpillar, the curled over leaf. Not only did I find 1 but 2!!! I was on the phone to bridget1964 (Mary) while I was watering (we have some new plants) and she got to hear first hand my excitement and joy. I was in tears. I am still feeling that way as I write this. Mother Nature gave me the best birthday gift I could ask for (albeit a day early), one that no one else can give me.
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I am a long haired, tree hugging, dirt worshiping environmentalist. |
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#2 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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I'm so happy for you! They are really cute little things! I have a few more little ones also...the first ones probably pupated. Assuming those you have survive long enough, watch them crawl around when they get larger...they move in a way that is very unique...I haven't seen any other kind of caterpillar move around quite the same way!
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#3 |
WG Contest Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Browns Mills, NJ
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I have since found 2 more 1st instars on the plant. I wonder how many more eggs that I have.
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I am a long haired, tree hugging, dirt worshiping environmentalist. |
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#4 |
Official Plant Nerd
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear new cat daddy! Happy Birthday to you! Fantastic photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've got several spicebushes and I look and never find any cats. One of these days... one of these days.
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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss |
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#5 |
WG Contest Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Browns Mills, NJ
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Thank you Equilibrium!
I was sooooo happy to find them, you have no idea how happy I was, just ask Mary, I am sure that she will tell everyone!
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I am a long haired, tree hugging, dirt worshiping environmentalist. |
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#6 |
Official Plant Nerd
Join Date: Dec 2008
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A proud momma and a proud poppa.... only.... usually it's the momma who knows first.
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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss |
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#7 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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Happy b-day, one day early. |
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#8 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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I have to check out mine--I have a 3 or 4 small spicebush that I started from divisions from my mother's house. Tomorrow I'll check them out.
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#9 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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Happy birthday also. How big is your Spicebush? I had 3 about as tall as my legs, but one plant died back to the roots during the heat and drought last summer. That third one came back, but it is just a little thing now.
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#10 | |
WG Contest Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Browns Mills, NJ
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I am very happy about finding the cat, but I am not going to try to deny any of the other animals a meal if they are so able to find the little guys. I have this rule about not favoring one species over another. I did ensure that the swallowtail will have at least one of the cats make it to maturity though...I gave one to Mary (bridget1964) to raise in her classroom so that her kids can see just one more example of how cool nature is.
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I am a long haired, tree hugging, dirt worshiping environmentalist. |
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Tags |
birthday, butterflies, butterfly, cat, caterpillar, caterpillar photos, caterpillars, emerge, gift, mother, nature, spice bush, spicebush, spicebush swallowtail caterpillar, swallowtail |
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