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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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