Zebra Longwing butterflies fly about casually. Imatating a helicopter, they fly in any direction or just hover in one place. The Zebra Longwing is the Florida State Butterfly. Found in several states, it eats passionvine which is growing in the shade.

The Phaon Crescent is a tiny little jewel. Growing up to 1 1/2 inches across, frogfruit is their food of choice; as a caterpillar.

Are you for butterflies? This association may be of interest to you! Association for Butterflies; Research, Conservation, Farming, and Gardening.

Next issue; photo contest winner!

If Zebra Longwing butterflies naturally occur in your area of your state, whether or not they fly in your yard may depend upon where you plant your passionvine. Zebra Longwings lay eggs on the tips and tendrils of passionvine which grows in shade.

White caterpillars with black 'hair', these caterpillars are not as visible as orange Gulf Fritillary caterpillars. Zebra Longwing caterpillars tend to stay on shadier areas of the plant.

The chrysalis is NOT a immobile item; touch it and watch it react! If you listen carefully, you can hear the tiny squeaks the chrysalis makes as it moves.

A bright spot of moving orange beauty; the Phaon Crescent lays her eggs on frogfruit. Frog fruit is also known as fog fruit and matchstick plant.

Although tiny, the caterpillars can eat many leaves! Rarely seen, the caterpillars may drop to the ground when the plant is disturbed. The caterpillars change into miniature chrysalises (butterflies do not make cocoons) in low dark spots in the tangles of their host plant.

Frogfruit is also a host plant for White Peacocks. Common Buckeyes will eat the plant in captivity.

It's the Association for Butterflies; Research, Conservation, Farming, and Gardening.

The bylaws of this association mandate that a percentage of all proceeds must go to support butterfly conservation and butterfly research.

Support the Association for Butterflies with your $15 membership. With your membership you will receive an assortment of butterfly host and nectar plant seed donated by various butterfly enthusaists and farmers.

Funds were donated in the last fiscal year to help pay for supplies to grow the host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot in Maryland; the Baltimore Checkerspot Restoration Project of Maryland.

Research projects included testing of sanitizing solutions for disinfecting butterfly eggs in rearing facilities and safe shipping methods.

As fall approaches and temperatures are cooling over Canada and the northern US, Monarchs are beginning their fall migration. Another butterfly year is drawing to a close for many of us.

In the south, butterflies are multiplying in our gardens and on our roadsides. There's still room in Florida if you want to move down here!

Until next time, Edith, Stephen, Ester, and Michelle (and the grandchildren in the background when you telephone the office)