May 2010 Photo of the Month Contest - post entries here

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by amelanchier

Thanks! It's actually on a non-native but non-invasive, hybrid Spiraea. I guess since the genus is found here, some of the pollinators are still able to make use of it.

Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush)
Spiraea latifolia (Eastern Meadowsweet) are two that should be native to your area.

[amelanchier]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush)
Spiraea latifolia (Eastern Meadowsweet) are two that should be native to your area.

Yeah, I am familiar with those species... These alien Spiraeas we put into the front yard a few years ago, before I got into natives. Since they aren't invasive, I really haven't prioritized replacing them, but if we somehow end up staying here a few years I probably will.

[dapjwy]

amelanchier,

I meant those suggestions for Jack or anyone else who read the thread. I didn't meant to imply that you should remove yours.

The other day I saw a sphinx moth eating from a dame's rocket. I definitely want to remove that invasive, but feel I will pull them after they've flowered so as not to remove a source of nectar. I want to find natives that will bloom at the same time next year.

In practice, I'm finding it more and more difficult to just remove things without replacing them with something appropriate.

[bridget1964]

Originally Posted by amelanchier

Canadian tiger swallowtail (Papilio canadensis), closely related to the eastern tiger swallowtail more familiar to most people.

Any idea what the host plant is of this way cool butterfly?

[amelanchier]

Originally Posted by bridget1964

Any idea what the host plant is of this way cool butterfly?

I didn't know offhand, but according to this site (papilio canaden frames), the cats feed on birches, poplars, crabapples, and black cherries. I have three of those in my back yard (cottonwood, crabapple, black cherry).

[Sage]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, cottonwoodddddddddddddd.................... I've got that cotton blowing all over the yard. I could fill a piilow an hour!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by amelanchier

I didn't know offhand, but according to this site (papilio canaden frames), the cats feed on birches, poplars, crabapples, and black cherries. I have three of those in my back yard (cottonwood, crabapple, black cherry).

Cool...I have three too (quaking aspen, wild cherry, and birch).

[havalotta]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

I just discovered this thread today...and made it all the way through. When I got to the end I realized there is reply after reply all posted by me! Oops! I really enjoyed spending time on this thread.

And we enjoy your comments as well! They make the thread all the more interesting.
Sage, I like how you've captured the clover right between the rabbbits ears.
Boy I'd sure have a hard time labeling swallowtails or any butterfly scientifically like you did. They all look the same to me....BEAUTIFUL!

[amelanchier]

Originally Posted by havalotta

Boy I'd sure have a hard time labeling swallowtails or any butterfly scientifically like you did. They all look the same to me....BEAUTIFUL!

Oh, I had to do a lot of research before I could properly ID it. Basically, the cabbage white, the monarch, and now the red admiral were the only butterflies I knew before snapping this picture.

[havalotta]

We've got the swallowtails here too. Just last week I took probably too many shots trying for a good one.
Problem was it was licking upon a pile of fish scale filled fox poo. EWE!