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#1 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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Some weeds had come up in what was left of a load of topsoil back of my yard. Yesterday I was back there and noticed tattered and rolled leaves on some plants. I know the plant is a croton, but don't know what kind. I suspect they could be Goatweed Leafwing cats, which I haven't had here before.
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#2 | |
Co-Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Midwest
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Interesting find; and an interesting butterfly:
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I can see where it would be difficult to determine which species of croton it is, Texas has 25 different species of this plant! ![]() PLANTS Profile for Croton (croton) | USDA PLANTS
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." Aldo Leopold |
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#3 |
Butterfly Educator Extraordinaire
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ventnor City, New Jersey, USA
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WOW! Cool critter!
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#4 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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Yes, I guess as big as Texas is, it would have a lot of different kinds of crotons. Inside my yard I have Croton fruticulosus. Several years ago I first got one of those and caterpillars appeared on it...later on ID'd as the Tropical Leafwing. But then since then, nothing on my two plants. This other kind of croton must have come in as seeds in my topsoil, because it doesn't grow in this area. I might raise a couple of these caterpillars inside so I can watch them more closely.
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#5 |
Official Plant Nerd
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I found the cats in your photo album.... waaaaaaaaaay cool!!!
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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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#6 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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Well, they really are way cool cats and butterflies! I've got about 16 chrysallises of Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail and hope they will all emerge okay later.
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#7 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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What I believe are Goatweed Leafwings...one cat pupating and the chrysallis formed.
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#8 | |
Butterfly Educator Extraordinaire
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ventnor City, New Jersey, USA
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I have one spicebush swallowtail chrysalis, one black swallowtail chrysalis, two monarch pupa and a whole lot of cats doing their 'walk-about'! I saw a pupa dance this morning from start to finish! I never tire of watching a caterpillar transform into a chrysalis! I have found a lot of eggs so far this year. Most have been viable and I have all stages right now. I brought a microscope home from my classroom so that I can check the eggs to make sure they are viable. My eyes seem to be getting worse as I near the half century mark!
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"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson http://mslenahan.edublogs.org/ |
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#9 |
Salamander
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
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No, none have emerged yet. When I've had spring cats of that species before, the butterflies emerged about late August and September, if I'm not mistaken. These normally only breed and lay eggs in the very late winter or spring and again in fall. However...I found a small cat on a Hop Tree recently and I'm raising it. Since I haven't seen the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Hop Tree locally, it could also possibly be the two-tailed. Just have to wait and see...those two kinds of cats look alike until a late instar. Aren't butterflies and caterpillars infinitely fascinating? This is a very big year for them here...really, I've never seen a year like this one before!
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#10 | |
Butterfly Educator Extraordinaire
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ventnor City, New Jersey, USA
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I just found 10 monarch eggs as I walked the dog. John says I am obsessed in a big way! I too find caterpillars and butterflies quite fascinating! What amazes me is that there are so many different kinds and so many different host plants!
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"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson http://mslenahan.edublogs.org/ |
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Tags |
butterfly, caterpillars, croton, croton caterpillars, croton fruticulosus, crotons, goatweed, goatweed butterfly, leafwing |
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