~Photos! Butterflies, Moths & Caterpillars 2010~

[Sage]

Originally Posted by havalotta

Great shot Sage.
Did you use a tripod?

No, I almost walked into it!

[turttle]

Originally Posted by bridget1964

Beautiful caterpillars! Io moth caterpillars also change colors as they get larger. What kind of cats are these??

They are yellow bear caterpillars, and turn into Virginia Tiger moths. They overwinter as caterpillars, but mine are still making coccoons, so apparently they think there is time for another generation. I found all three on the plant at the same time. They are all over my garden at the moment, on many different host plants, but the blue mistflower seems to be a favorite.

[ButterflyLinda]

This hummingbird was perching on a fence. It does not look like the ones that are usually around.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by ButterflyLinda

This hummingbird was perching on a fence. It does not look like the ones that are usually around.

???

[turttle]

Originally Posted by ButterflyLinda

This hummingbird was perching on a fence. It does not look like the ones that are usually around.

I agree your hummingbird doesn't look like the usual ones. How about mine, since they fit this thread better?

These are all hummingbird or clearwing moths. The egg was laid today. The caterpillar may not be related to this moth - it looks like a Slender Clearwing/Hemaris gracilis to me, although my guidebook says from "Carolinas north, single brooded, mature cats June and July; may be double brooded in the south". I think they are double brooded here!

I saw the hummingbird moth in the photos today. Iit was laying eggs on honeysuckle and hawthorn, and my book says that is more likely to be Hemaris thysbe/Hummingbird Clearwing moth. I guess we'll see if the caterpillars match!

[Sage]

Linda, There were no pix when I looked at your post earlier~

[bridget1964]

Originally Posted by turttle

I saw the hummingbird moth in the photos today. Iit was laying eggs on honeysuckle and hawthorn, and my book says that is more likely to be Hemaris thysbe/Hummingbird Clearwing moth. I guess we'll see if the caterpillars match!

WOW! I saw one on my neighbor's butterfly bush today. I can't believe you saw one egg laying. How lucky!!

[swamp thing]

This is an American Copper Lycaena phlaeas on a bayberry, and a monarch on a goldenrod

[turttle]

Originally Posted by bridget1964

WOW! I saw one on my neighbor's butterfly bush today. I can't believe you saw one egg laying. How lucky!!

I was taking a breather from planting my new garden (photos in my new album, details in my journal), and just admiring my plants. The hummingbird moth started flitting around no more than ten feet in front of me. I've learned to always have my camera handy when I'm out there, since these opportunities never last. I suspect I'm going to be the proud foster mom of an amazing number of hummingbird moths next year.

[amelanchier]

Eyespots!