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Butterflies!
Shady Oak Butterfly Farm Newsletter
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September 17, 2007
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It's the non-Monarch; often mistaken for a Monarch.
What is it? Can you tell the difference between a
Viceroy and Monarch?
Julia's aren't found in most of the US. With a flight
pattern and shape like a Zebra Longwing, it adds
color and grace to butterfly gardens.
Velcro is natural in nature. Where is it found in the
butterfly world?
Do you know how to tell when your Monarch caterpillar
is about to pupate? There are signs that you can
learn ... to save you hour of sitting, waiting and
watching.
Need a rearing container in a hurry? Make your own!
If you have an idea you'd like to share through our
newsletter, please send it to
[email protected]. We always appreciate your
comments and suggestions.
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The non-Monarch ....
... Viceroys!
Viceroys are so often mistaken for
Monarchs that
even 'Monarch' t-shirts are sometimes printed with a
Viceroy photo and Monarch name!
Five
Viceroy butterflies nectar
on the bloom of Water Hemlock in the photo at the
right near Citra, Florida
The Viceroy boasts a line \ and / on each of its
hindwings.
Monarch hind wings are missing this black line. Think
of 'V'. When a
Viceroy's wings are open you can easily
see this V.
Attract Viceroys to your garden with two steps:
Viceroy Butterfly
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Halloween Colors ...
.... orange and black
The Julia Dryas julia is found in south Florida
and Texas. According to
Butterflies and Moths of North America, they have
been reported in several other states.
The Julia is one of four butterflies found in the United
States which use
passionvine as a host plant. Other species are
the
Gulf Fritillary,
Variegated Fritillary, and
Zebra Longwing.
The chrysalises of three of these species
somewhat resemble each other. The Variegated
Fritillary chrysalis is dramatically different!
Julia butterflies prefer to lay their eggs on dead
passionvine or another plant or object near
passionvine. Each passionvine species has its own
particular peculiar habits when laying eggs.
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Man invented Velcro?
...... think again!
As a caterpillar
pupates into a chrysalis, it wiggles out
of its skin. Its old skin falls and it is left attached on
the object on which it chose to spend a week or
more. But how does it attach to the silk pad it lays?
Velcro! Nature's velcro, that is. The silk mat is a
mass of silk fibers laid in a mat or bump, depending
upon the species. The tip of the chrysalis is covered
in small hooks, like velcro. The new chrysalis
reaches around its old skin and attaches itself to the
silk mat or pad.
More Photos of a Cremaster
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When will it pupate?
How to tell, within minutes!
A caterpillar will hang in a 'J' for hours ... overnight ...
before pupating into a chrysalis. Rather than stand or
sit for hours waiting to see the three-minute miracle,
learn the signs of immediate pupation.
How to tell when a Monarch is about to pupate
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Make your own rearing container ...
.... no hassle and disposable!
Need a rearing container for a caterpillar quickly?
Make your own ... and throw it away when you're
through!
Disposable means no need to disinfect it for next
year's crop of crawly critters. If you prefer not to make
a disposable, perhaps you'd be interested in a
re-usable zippered screened rearing container
that folds flat and is easily washed .
Make your own disposable rearing container.
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What would you like to see in the next issue of
Butterflies? Please send us your
suggestions.
Until next time, Edith, Stephen, Ester, Michelle, and the
gang
phone:
877-485-2458
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