12 May 2008

Butterfly Mystery Solved

In a previous post, I wondered what the butterflies were that were munching away at my sunflowers. Well, the mystery has been solved, and thanks everyone for your good guesses.

These are most likely Bordered Patch butterflies, Chlosyne lacinia, a pretty common one around Austin, and one I've seen a lot in my garden (as adults).

I got the bordered patch tip at Austin Butterfly Forum's butterfly identification and rearing workshop a couple of weekends ago. It was fantastic. Lots of people who know their plants and bugs.

Here's a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar we found at Zilker Park puffing up the front of its body to look like a snake.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

looks like a lovable cartoon character

cherry said...

absolutely adorable!

Lori said...

I did quite the double-take at that picture. It looks like something out of a children's show!

stephanie said...

that is crazy.

Diana said...

What a hoot he is -- that's amazing. I think I'll take your tip and go to the butterfly forum to ID the moth i saw yesterday and just posted about...@ http://www.sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com did you happen to see it in your searches?

Anonymous said...

wow! that is so cool! - never seen one of these in Austin - what plant was he/she on in Zilka, I would love to know how to attract it!
Regards,
ESP

Anonymous said...

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