We're in shock that fall is officially here. The year has flown by and we sent so few newsletters. We intend to do better from now on. Thank you for your patience!

Monarchs are on their way south and west (depending upon where we are sitting as we read this newsletter) and other species of butterflies are entering diapause. Some are totally oblivious and will simply die when winter arrives. Sadly, nature doesn't consider the individual or even a species as a whole.

Wherever we're sitting, we can enjoy our butterflies by either walking out the door, reviewing photos from earlier in the year, or planning improvements for our garden next year.

Happy Autumn!

Yes, many species of butterflies have already settled down for a long winters nap. Some of us are into that point in our weather. Our longer nights and cooler weather has sent butterflies, from egg through adult, into diapause. Diapause is similar to hibernation. Butterflies (and other insects) survive the winter by creating sorbitol and glycerol in their blood - God's antifreeze. They can survive below freezing temperatures for days and weeks while in diapause.

Well over 100 Tawny Emperor butterfly caterpillars are congregated on one leaf. This is normal for this species of butterfly. What is YOUR caption? Please send your suggested captions to edith@buyabutterfly.com.

We didn't have enough responses to call for a vote. Do you have a caption for the caption contest? Send your submission to edith@buyabutterfly.com by October 31.

The winner will receive a $10 gift card from Shady Oak Butterfly Farm.

A few more photos and information on the chalcid wasp webpage isn't a fun addition to 'fun facts'. There are some pages that are definitely not-so-fun facts. Chalcid wasps lay eggs in soft pupae. The hatchling wasp larvae eat the guts of the pupa and instead of a butterfly, chalcid wasps emerge from the chrysalis.

At the end of the season, sometimes we run out of milkweed for the last few caterpillars in our homes or classrooms. If our caterpillars are large, nearly ready to pupate into a chrysalis, no sweat! Pumpkin is a food that we like this time of year. Monarch caterpillars will also eat pumpkin. Younger caterpillars won't live long eating a jack-o-lantern but older caterpillars will eat it, poop orange frass, and change into a chrysalis. Yes, they look normal - just as orange as when they eat milkweed. But it is an acceptable source of emergency food for larger caterpillars.

Large yellow butterflies (or do you consider them green?) fill gardens in the southeastern US this time of year. Using senna/cassia plants as a host plant, the adult butterflies enjoy nectar from long-throated flowers. Caterpillars are green when they eat leaves. After eating the yellow blooms of their host plants, they will turn yellow.

To receive an assortment of butterfly host & nectar plant seed free, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Butterfly Plant Seed FB 12876 SW CR 231 Brooker, FL 32622

We'll send you at least 6 packets of different seed for your garden next year. The link below takes you to our website that offers free Tropical Milkweed Seed. If you send an envelope to the above address, you'll receive not only seed of tropical milkweed (include a note if you prefer common milkweed) but other species of plants also.

If you enjoy this newsletter, please share it with your friends. Every 100th new subscriber (and the person who recommended Butterflies!) will receive a gift from Shady Oak. We do not subscribe any person unless they directly ask us to do so. Subscribers have subscribed to this newsletter from one of our websites or through another sign-up location.

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Photo right: the Smith clan (missing four due to work and illness).

Until next time, Edith, Stephen, Ester, Michelle, Christina, Rachel, Charlotte, and the gang