tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:10:14 +0000butterflybutterfliescaterpillarmonarchcaterpillarseggslarvaemothpupaecabbage whiteeastern black swallowtailmonarchspupaAmerican painted ladiesblack swallowtailchrysalisBeaver Creek ReserveCabbage White butterflyRed Admiraldandelionmilkweedoverwintersnowspring azureBeaver Creekcatseverlastingsfemaleflowershost planthummingbird mothmothstiger swallowtailJourney NorthMexicoVanessaanglewinganglewing familyantennaececropia mothclearwing mothcommafrassgardeninsectslacewingsleaveslilac busheslilacsmalemigratingmoltmourning cloakpupatequestion markraiseshed skinsilk wormsphinx mothstinging nettlesulphurvideoAllie PleiterBrookfield ZooCanonCanon S3 ISCheckered WhiteChippewa CountyEau ClaireEau Claire CountyFall CreekFall Creek WIFather's DayFive-Spotted Hawk MothHarlequin Moth CaterpillarsIsabella Tiger mothJudy Istock Butterfly HavenLive Monarch FoundationMilbert's TourtoiseshellMilkweed Tiger MothMoltingNOAANymphalidaePeggy Notebaert Nature MuseumPennsylvaniaRueSpingidae familyTomato HornwormUSDAWooly Bearabdomenadulthoodbeesbig poplar sphinx mothbindweedbrokenbrush-footedbutterfly foodbutterfly gardenbutterfly gardensbutterfly slipperscameracherriycherry treeschivesclaspersclouded sulphurclouded sulphur butterflycocooncomma butterflycoppercranberrycranberry bushescreaturesdandelionsdefolatedobsonflydormantfallfeedfermenting fruitfieldsfixfoodfruitgiant swallowtailguinea pigguinea pigshatchinghawthornshead capsulehibernatehind wingshoneysucklehopshumiditylarvalarvallistlunamorning cloakmourning cloak morning cloaknature centernestnettleparasitesparasitic flyparasitic waspparasitic waspsparasitizepestpheromonephotopictureplantainplumplum treespromethiapuppy sitterquestion mark butterflyrainsrearedrepairsand cherryshedsillken padslipperssnakesnowberrysphinxsucker shootssulphur butterflyswallowtailstent caterpillarstomato plantstomatoestorntreesvacationvolunteersweedswhite butterflywingA blog about butterflies and mothshttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Leza)Blogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-6192668667841111785Wed, 29 Mar 2017 05:15:00 +00002017-03-29T00:25:20.870-05:00butterflyhost plantlistmoth Host Plants for Butterflies P  Artemisia stellariana 'Silver Brocade'  American Painted Lady T  Birch  Mourning Cloak, F  Black-Eyed Susan  Silvery Checkerspot W  Burdock  American Painted Lady, Painted Lady F  Butterfly Weed/Orange Glory (Milkweed family) Monarchs V  Carrot  Eastern Black Swallowtail V  Celery  Eastern http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2017/03/butterfly-and-some-moth-host-plants.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-5383428607933469542Sun, 07 Oct 2012 02:40:00 +00002012-10-06T22:22:03.165-05:00butterfliesbutterflycabbage whiteCheckered Whitegarden I can't say I remember seeing this butterfly in a very long time, even though it is one of three native Whites found in the state of Wisconsin.  In fact, I only remember seeing a few as a child while growing up in New Jersey! Thinking how very different they were from all the "other" white butterflies (later learning they were Cabbage Whites) I'd observed in the garden or chase http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2012/10/checkered-whites.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-8770281304400878785Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:27:00 +00002011-09-30T10:38:13.340-05:00Beaver CreekBeaver Creek ReservebutterfliesbutterflymonarchmonarchsWhither the Monarchs - 9/16/11Save Now Jim of Beaver Creek Reserve did a really nice job with the interview! And, yes, sadly, Monarchs are on the decline. --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/09/whither-monarchs-91611.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-7858905697357387064Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:08:00 +00002011-09-19T09:40:48.761-05:00brokenbutterfliesbutterflyfixLive Monarch FoundationrepairtornvideowingI've tried to repair butterfly wings, before, and flopped. The poor creatures ended up with weighty wings and couldn't fly. Instead of being released, they became "pets" and were even more a part of our family. That was before I discovered this video!It does take courage to work on a delicate butterfly, but with this as a guide, it's worth a try! Good luck! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-repair-butterfly-wing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-3587496623203504723Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:21:00 +00002011-09-19T10:58:51.329-05:00caterpillareggshatchingmonarchvideoI've watched caterpillars hatching, before, and wanted to share what someone else put together. It's a quicky--don't blink! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/06/monarch-egg-hatching.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-7564490534349151990Tue, 31 May 2011 15:37:00 +00002011-06-02T11:11:59.620-05:00eggslarvaemonarchmonarchsraiseAround 1pm, today, I went out in search of Monarch eggs. Sometimes it's easier to spot the first egg or larva before ever seeing an adult flying around. Well, did I ever find an egg, then another..., and another. Once back home, I counted 48, repeat, 48 Monarch eggs!!! A few looked like they will be hatching in a day or two. Soooo, the eggs were divvied up among four baby wipe boxes that http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/05/terriffic-tuesdays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-4633221707757866654Thu, 26 May 2011 18:11:00 +00002011-06-02T11:35:29.159-05:00butterfliesbutterflycopperflowerslilac busheslilacsmothspring azuresulphurtiger swallowtailIt was a cold, sunny, breezy day, today, but look what was hanging around our yard! Unfortunately, patchy frost is forcasted for this evening and tomorrow morning.Tiger SwallowtailSpring AzureSulphur, mid flightCopperMothCan't wait to see what else blows through our yard, this summer!!! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/05/tiger-swallowtail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-3027575953606858150Thu, 12 May 2011 15:41:00 +00002011-05-13T15:28:56.912-05:00caterpillarmothIsn't he adorable? A couple of days ago, I was planting some bushes and thankfully found him while I was digging. He was relocated to a safer spot, and when I later checked on him, he was happily munching on a blade of grass! He will grow up to be some sort of moth. --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/05/cute-and-fuzzy-caterpillar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-4152015970166948382Wed, 11 May 2011 02:23:00 +00002011-05-10T22:12:53.003-05:00American painted ladiesbutterfliesbutterflycabbage whitecommadandelioneastern black swallowtailquestion markRed Admiralspring azuretiger swallowtailWe had a ton of rain yesterday with very gusty winds, so this morning, I was totally thrilled to not only see a clear blue sky, but a beautiful Spring Azure playfully flitting around and about my feet!Later, while planting bushes, a small, fast flying orange and black butterfly whizzed past me. Was it an American Painted Lady or one of the overwintering anglewings like a Question Mark or Comma?http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/05/blue-morning-orange-afternoon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-4441549614243671743Sat, 07 May 2011 13:11:00 +00002011-05-07T08:24:36.585-05:00butterflycabbage whiteCabbage White butterflychrysalisdandelionpupaeDriving around yesterday in the car with Hubby, I spied my first Cabbage White butterfly of the season! ~~Happy Dance!!!~~ They usually start eclosing ((emerging from the pupae (chrysalis)) when the dandelions begin to bloom, which has been for well over a week..., but it's been so cold and we even had snow flurries this past Sunday and Monday! The butterflies were smart and waited 'til it gothttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2011/05/white-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-681271966689570099Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:18:00 +00002015-06-28T17:13:08.696-05:00black swallowtailbutterfliesbutterflycabbage whiteCabbage White butterflyeastern black swallowtailoverwinterpupapupaesnowYesterday, I rescued two of several of our Eastern Black Swallowtail pupae that are overwintering on our front porch. Over the weekend, we had a blizzard where 22" of snow fell!!! It did not just cover the grass, driveway, and street--it also accumulated on our porch, totally burying two butterflies in the making. Yes, one is brown, while the other is green. Several butterfly species, like http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/12/eastern-black-swallowtail-pupae-in-snow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-2979007724930864652Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:56:00 +00002010-12-16T09:53:25.649-06:00caterpillarcaterpillarsfallsnowYesterday, as I was cleaning off my car in swirling snow flurries, I found this a frozen caterpillar on our driveway!!! We've had a beautiful, warm fall, so they must be confused. A few weeks ago, I had seen more of these, as well as some of our overwintering Wooly Bear caterpillars that were crawling around! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/12/looky-looky.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-9110178965859608224Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:15:00 +00002011-01-14T11:57:56.470-06:00anglewinganglewing familyblack swallowtailbutterfliesbutterflycaterpillarchrysalisdormanteastern black swallowtailhibernateoverwinterpupapupaeEeeeek! This wasn't supposed to happen! Not this late in the season!!! But, leave it up to the unpredictability of an Eastern Black Swallowtail. This lovely little girl eclosed (emerged) out of her pupa (chrysalis) seven months too early!Black Swallowtails are one of the many butterfly species that overwinter in the pupa stage, while others like those in the anglewing family hibernate as adulthttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/10/this-wasnt-supposed-to-happen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-7061007328335746314Sat, 25 Sep 2010 01:18:00 +00002015-06-28T17:20:14.891-05:00black swallowtailcaterpillarcaterpillarseastern black swallowtaillarvalarvaepupapupaeRueToday, I found 14 Eastern Black Swallowtail larvae on my Rue!!!  They are ranging from 1st to 5th instars.  Simply put, they are from newly hatched to pre-pupae caterpillars. They are both in dark and light forms. --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/09/eastern-black-swallowtail-larvae.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-7577146341499357820Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:50:00 +00002010-07-30T15:22:45.862-05:00American painted ladiesbutterflycaterpillareverlastingsThese colorful caterpillars are the larvae of the American Painted Lady butterfly. They are more black in the earlier instars, not looking too much like the ones here. These are in the 5th instar and will soon be hanging the "J" before pupating. Pupa is another name for chrysalis.These caterpillars feed on everlastings (straw flowers) which are often grown in wildflower gardens. It is also http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/07/american-painted-lady.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-2451078702318971450Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:50:00 +00002010-06-24T16:59:46.070-05:00American painted ladiesbutterfliesbutterflycaterpillarcatseggsmonarchsWell, I spoke too soon, yesterday. This morning, after releasing two more male Monarchs and one female, an early afternoon walk with my neighbor turned up four first instar Monarch cats and one egg! For sure, before we get any more rain, I need to hit the fields and collect more Monarchs!A bonus: On a hot humid day, the butterflies like to come out to dance in the sky and nectar at flowers. http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/06/butterflies-butterflies-everywhere.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-6658319637319377640Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:59:00 +00002010-06-24T10:14:38.045-05:00butterfliesbutterflyeggsmonarchpupapupaeWhat a thrill! Our first Monarch, a male, emerged from it's pupa, this morning! He was very eager to get out and experience his freedom of flight! So, off he went into the wild blue yonder!We have 38 more Monarchs in the pupae stage, with a couple others still in the 5th instar. I have not been able to find any more Monarch eggs or caterpillars in the wild. Not sure if it's because of all http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-monarch-released.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-8148442516661429178Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:43:00 +00002011-05-30T10:12:58.134-05:00Beaver CreekBeaver Creek ReservecaterpillarcatsfrassmonarchmonarchsWe've had a very high success rate raising them in baby wipe boxes with a folded napkin or paper towel at the bottom. For eggs an 1st & 2nd instars where they need more humidity, I slide the boxes into gallon-sized baggies. After that, the boxes are slipped into "tubes" of pantyhose cut to fit the boxes so they have ventilation.When I worked at Beaver Creek Reserve in the Butterfly House, we http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-raise-monarchs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-4015575102991113418Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:52:00 +00002010-04-12T18:50:13.700-05:00butterflycabbage whitedandelionsnowspring azureBoth yesterday and today, I did double takes. Something white was in the air! Thankfully, what looked like possible large flakes of snow really were Cabbage Whites! [You just never know, around here--we've had heavy wet snow as late as April 28th!!!]I knew they'd be seen, soon, as Cabbage Whites emerge from their overwintering pupa stage immediately following the heralding of Azure Blues, and http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/04/snow-flakes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-3852722705968572236Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:03:00 +00002010-04-11T12:50:36.936-05:00butterflymourning cloakspring azureHere's a little Spring Azure, one of two that flew in front of me and Mister Poochie while we were walking in the woods. They are the first to emerge from their overwintering chysalises in the springtime. Farther down the trail, a Mourning Cloak flew in front of us, landing in a sunny location to soak up some rays to help warm itself. These big, beautiful butterflies are one of the few that http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-see-blue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-8707617688255053972Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:29:00 +00002009-08-06T09:40:34.666-05:00frassmonarchpupaepupateThought this was too cute. Our "kitten", Toby, just loves the butterflies, as you would imagine. Here, he is watching a newly emerged female Monarch before we released her, yesterday.If you enlarge this image by clicking on it, you will see black frass which is "caterpillar poopies". Now that all the cats have pupated, I was able to safely clean that out from the bottom of the container! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2009/08/thought-this-was-too-cute.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-2568122397702450388Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:09:00 +00002009-09-11T11:08:39.606-05:00caterpillarcaterpillarseggslacewingslarvaemilkweedmonarchYesterday, I made it a point to seek out and rescue Monarch eggs and cats before the expected rains. One open field I normally find them in had turned up dozens of eaten eggs by an abundance of lacewings in that location. Unwilling to allow this to discourage my efforts, I headed off to the woods with my trusty pooch. After two hours of searching, we returned home with 33 eggs and four 1st andhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2009/06/pereserverance-pays-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-6178266390002484071Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:25:00 +00002009-09-11T10:56:23.679-05:00cecropia mothgiant swallowtaillunamothmothspromethiasilk wormTragedy struck, quite literally. Driving home this evening with my hubby, a beautiful male cecropia moth flew out into traffic. It was briefly illuminated in our headlights before we struck the poor creature. This is not how I wished it's fate to be.Silkworm moths, especially larger ones like the luna, promethia, and cecropia (the largest of them all), are on my list of those I wish to rear http://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2009/06/most-unfortunate-encounter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-4097515432682838279Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:08:00 +00002009-09-11T11:19:24.829-05:00eggslacewingsmonarchMonarch eggs on milkweed leavesToday, I spotted at least four beautiful green lacewings. They are very beneficial insects that normally eat aphids, and regrettably, butterfly and moth eggs, too. Fortunately, I found these eggs before they did! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2009/06/monarch-eggs-are-not-on-todays-menu.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754848353298947488.post-2146015422779519982Mon, 25 May 2009 20:42:00 +00002009-05-25T19:18:37.916-05:00Journey Northlilac busheslilacsmalemilkweedmonarchtiger swallowtailAt 2:00pm, a Monarch flew in front of our lilac bushes as I was scanning for an elusive Tiger Swallowtail to photograph. This male Monarch was pristine, flying fast though the rather breezy afternoon under partly cloudy skies. Reported this to Journey North. Just in case..., I checked for eggs on our common milkweed plants. (I check almost every day.) None--yet! --LKRhttp://lezasleps.blogspot.com/2009/05/monarchs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Leza)1