We have not had very many butterflies visit this summer. Not really sure what the deal is, but they just didn't come.
There had not been a single Gulf frittilary caterpillar on the passion vine. I have seen very few adults. Today the beauty in the above picture showed up. Isn't she pretty. She did lay a few eggs on the vines, but I don't know if they will have enough time before it gets too cold for caterpillars.
Most summers we watch dozens of black swallowtail caterpillars eat my dill, crysalize (look I made up a verb), and come back to visit the zinnia. This year only one batch ate the fennel in the front flower bed. We had a black swallowtail visit today. I didn't see any egg laying. This is a good thing, because the dill is tiny and there would not be enough food.
Remember this from a couple of days ago.
It now looks like this. I planted it with carrots. Next week I will buy some leek seeds and add a few right down the middle. Should be an interesting looking veggie patch.
What are you growing this fall?
Not many butterflies over here either Debbi. Two poor summers in a row have really taken their numbers down.
ReplyDeletevp, us too. My sister says it has something to do with a wasp over population here.
ReplyDeleteI planted coneflower, black-eyed susan and bee balm recently. Oh, and also hollyhock and foxglove. It looks good in this cooler weather. You're right. Haven't seen many butterflies. I wonder what accounts for that?
ReplyDeleteBrenda
H Brenda, Don't know what is going on with the butterflies. Sister says it is wasps. You have luck with foxglove. Maybe I will give it a shot again.
ReplyDeleteI had quite a few visitors this summer & some lingering monarchs this fall. I'm growing lettuce in a container at the moment. Next year I hope to have a more permanent veggie space.
ReplyDeleteRacquel, I really missed all the butterflies this summer. Maybe next year will be better. Good luck with the lettuce.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was due to storms. I didn't know about the wasp problem.
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