I had a few butterfly chrysalises from last fall and kept them in the garage all winter. This week I decided it was time to put them outdoors. The next morning, about 10 a.m, I noticed a black swallowtail butterfly had just emerged! The yellow dots indicate it’s a male.
Springtime includes many surprises, and a newly emerged butterfly is certainly one of them. I look forward to seeing what other discoveries this season holds.
Beautiful, Betty! I still remember when you gave me some black swallowtail caterpillars a few years ago, and I raised them in my kitchen. A wonderful experience. Hasn’t this been an exceptionally lovely spring?
Patsy, glad I made it possible for you to raise the caterpillars and glad you enjoyed. Yes, our spring is proving to be lovely, (as least so far). 🙂 I still remember 1969? when we got a BIG snow on Easter Sunday!
Thanks for the heads up. I have been checking my three Spicebush chrysalises from last year every day expecting to see a new arrival any time. I kept back five but two of them came out in October! All my black swallowtails came out last Fall as well.
Also, the first Monarch was sighted in Oklahoma this week and many eggs have been spotted in Texas. They are on the move!!!!!
Thanks, Linda, for the monarch update. I still remember seeing the monarch lay eggs on our backyard milkweed on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006. It will be great to know when they are seen in Kentucky.
Hello Betty
I have just opened my mail and seen your latest blog and this wonderful photograph of the black swallowtail butterfly. What a lovely surprise for
you, and a delight for us viewers of your backyard blog! He is certainly a fine looking butterfly, and i am sure will be attracting a number
of female swallowtails. Spring is on the way …… at last!
God bless you,
Jersey Pauline
Pauline, I have a pot of parsley out, hoping a female will come and lay eggs. Time will tell.
Exciting! I’m looking forward to more caterpillars to raise this year!