Eastern Black Swallowtail
In This Issue ...
  • Turquoise chrysalises ...
  • Did You Plant It?
  • Organic Can Kill This Caterpillar!
  • Are You Getting Lost?

  • Host and Nectar Plants
    For Other Butterfly Species

    April Butterfly Festival

    Shady Oak Butterfly Farm
    352-485-2458
    12876 Southwest County Road 231
    Brooker, FL 32622

    April 14, 2007
    9:00AM-5:00PM
    Butterflies, food, plants, games, vendors, and more!

    Festival Information

    Interested in Becoming a Vendor at the Festival?

    Vendor Information and Form

    Butterflies! Shady Oak Butterfly Farm
    Gardening for Butterflies with Edith
    February 12, 2007

    Shady Oak Butterfly Farm

    As we write this newsletter, many of you are experiencing a major winter storm. As you are watching the snow, we hope you are also dreaming of butterflies!

    In this issue we will focus on Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies and their host plants. These butterflies are often one of the first species raised by gardeners and are often a victim of a pair of scissors until the gardener learns that these big worms in their garden are butterflies!


    Edith

    Black Swallowtail Larva Turquoise chrysalises ...
    ...and Gold Osmeterium

    Fennel, parsley, dill, carrots, Queen Anne's lace, water hemlock, mock bishop's weed; these herbs, flowers, vegetables, and poisons are simply an all-you-can-eat buffet for Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

    Chrysalises are normally brown or green but can be cream or even turquoise! The chrysalis color depends greatly on the color of the item they pupate upon or pupate near.

    Click on the link below to see photos of the lifecycle of Black Swallowtails and these four colors of chrysalises.

    Turquoise Chrysalis?

    Fennel and Eggs Did You Plant It?
    Organic can be deadly to caterpillars!

    Fennel is one of several plants Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars eat. In a few western states, Anise Swallowtails are found instead of Eastern Black Swallowtails. Both of these species of butterflies eat fennel as well as parsley.

    If you've not planted or ordered fennel or parsley seed, send us a self-addressed stamped envelope and we will be glad to send a small package of seed free!

    Would you rather start with a plant instead of seed? We grow Fennel, Parsley, and Queen Anne's Lace. These can be ordered from our website, through email, or by phone. These plants have NOT been treated with any chemical harmful to butterflies.

    If you can purchase these plants locally, ask if they are safe for caterpillars. Even organic plants can be treated with bt to kill caterpillars and be certified organic! The word 'organic' doesn't mean safe for caterpillars.

    To learn more about fennel, click on the photo above. To purchase fennel, click on the link below.

    Fennel

    Black Swallowtail Organic Can Kill This Caterpillar!
    The 'organic' label is not enough.

    Bt is used on organic vegetables, fruit, and herbs to kill 'worms'. These 'worms' are often butterfly caterpillars. Bt is derived from a lepidopterian disease Bacillus thuringiensis. None of us like to bite into food only to find half a 'worm' remaining. Bt takes care of that problem yet cannot hurt humans and is permissible for use on organically grown crops.

    We always recommend purchasing your host and nectar plants where you can save money. If you are not sure if the plants you are purchasing are safe for caterpillars, don't use it to feed to caterpillars for four to six weeks.

    If you do not have your seed or plants, we have plants ready to ship! Both starter plants and plants in four inch pots are now available.

    Learn more about parsley by clicking on the photo above. Purchase parsley by clicking on the link below.

    Parsley

    Shady Oak Butterfly Farm Are You Getting Lost?
    We're working on a search feature!

    We now have over 200 pages on our website. Over 150 are simply fun and educational pages.

    Please bear with us as we try out different search features until we find one that works well.

    Until then, please make use of our website directory!

    Website Directory
    Helpful Butterfly Links
  • Seed Swap Mailing LIst
  • Free Seed
  • Garden Gifts, Stained Glass, Butterfly Feeders, and More
  • Celebrate Your Event With a Butterfly Release
  • Regular farm hours resume on March 21!

    With the first day of spring we will resume our regular hours; 9-5 Monday through Friday and 9-3 Saturday. Closed Sundays.

    Tours resume with our 30x30 new Native Butterfly Exhibit. The Exhibit fee: $2 to wander in the exhibit to your heart's (and camera's) content.

    Farm tour: Behind the scenes; what IS a butterfly farm? A one-hour tour takes you into the laboratories and other areas of the farm not open to the public except during tours. Tour: $5 ages 17 and up - $3 ages 3-16.

    Thanks so much! Edith and Stephen (and Ester & Michelle)

    phone: 877-485-2458
     
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    10% off Eastern Black and Anise Swallowtail Host Plants

    Parsley and fennel are now available in starter size ($2) and four inch pots ($3). Order before the end of February and receive 10% off your total plant order!

    Is it too cold to plant now? Simply place your order with the shipping date you prefer (between now and April 30) and the discount will be applied to your order when it is shipped.

    Write 'February Newsletter' in the comment box at checkout to receive your discount.

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    Offer Expires: February 28, 2007
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