American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis The American Painted Lady or American Lady Vanessa virginiensis is another favorite butterfly of the family Brushfooted Butterflies Nymphalidae, donning large eyes. These painted beauties are most often sighted between late April and early October. They migrate south for the winter. If you look within the plants of Edelweiss or Pearly Everlasting in the summer you may find some of the caterpillars of the American Painted Lady. 2011 was … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ American Painted Lady
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
I was lucky to get so close to this fresh and perfect Common Buckeye as it sipped nectar from, of all plants, a hydrangea.Buckeye Junonia coeniaIt was a joyous June day this past summer when I captured my first ever Buckeye! These beauties do not overwinter here but fly south as our beloved Monarchs. I have read that they hold their own in comparison to the Monarchs in extravaganza, as they stream through Cape May in the Autumn. I have yet to see that fabulous display!Host plants … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
I was lucky to get so close to this fresh and perfect Common Buckeye as it sipped nectar from, of all plants, a hydrangea. Buckeye Junonia coenia It was a joyous June day this past summer when I captured my first ever Buckeye! These beauties do not overwinter here but fly south as our beloved Monarchs. I have read that they hold their own in comparison to the Monarchs in extravaganza, as they stream through Cape May in the Autumn. I have yet to see that fabulous display! Host … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Eastern Black Swallowtail
Eyeing female depositing an egg on hidden Wild CarrotA lucky sighting! A female Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes (Fabricius), 1775 deposits an egg. 1st and 2nd Instar3rd Instar4th Instar5th InstarSpinning thread and Letting Go!Talk about a weight loss that many would envy . . . the Black Swallowtail evacuates its entire digestive system before becoming a chrysalis. Note how much smaller it is in the shots above . . . when comparing to the photographs of the caterpillar eating … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Eastern Black Swallowtail
