Newsletter for June 2020

Backyard Butterflies

Question Mark butterfly, summer form, dorsal view

No garden truly blooms until butterflies have danced upon it.

~ K. D'Angelo

Greetings Fellow Backyard Butterfliers,

I hope this finds you well and in relatively good spirits. It seemed like back in March that it was off to a good start for the butterfly season: warm temperatures, sunny weather. I spoke too soon. Normally in May I will be raising around 9-10 species of caterpillars. This year I raised only a brood of Monarchs and Black Swallowtails. Cross fingers that June gets back on track!

As someone who has a chronic illness for 40 years, I value my health and the health of others. I have decided after reading about Covid-19 safety measures and level of risk of transmission based upon activity, to go ahead and host our 4th Annual Open House & Plant Swap, and to do so implementing specific safety measures that can be read on the event's webpage. I can also arrange for a private tour if you cannot attend on the 20th or would prefer not to attend a social gathering. If you have any questions about the event or have special needs, please contact me.

The Plant Swap part of the Open House is optional to participate in. It's our way of helping members of the community get a pollinator garden started or expanded, or to share extra plants with others. We will be putting out a limited selection and supply of plants from our inventory for the swap, and we will have some plants from our inventory available for purchase. If you anticipate that you will buy plants, please consider purchasing in advance so we can have your order ready for you to pick-up on the 20th. Use coupon code OP2020 to take $1.00 off the price of each plant you buy good for orders to be picked up during Open House and made on or before June 19th only.

Looking ahead, next month is truly like Christmas in July! Why? Because it's National Moth Week! Prepare accordingly for lots of moth love!

Peace, Love, Health, & Butterflies,
LM Carlson

Life Cycle of the Question Mark

Question mark egg
Egg
It was about a year ago that while I was working in the habitat I watched a Question Mark lay eggs on potted false nettle plants. I was filled with immense joy because I have always wanted to observe their life cycle and have some up-close and personal time with the butterfly.

The Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) is one of the first butterflies I typically see in late winter/early spring. It often seems that they like to taunt me by refusing to land or permit me to get close enough to make a proper ID. Like Tiger Swallowtails, they are high flyers. The moment they realize I'm trying to ID them they take off up above the trees.
I didn't find the caterpillars right after they hatched from the eggs. I think they were at least 2nd or 3rd instar when I did find them near the base of the plant. When the first one eclosed from chrysalis it was in no hurry to fly off so I quietly sat with it perched on my finger for about 15 minutes. It was a wonderful experience to sit with the butterfly resting on my finger. I admired the intricate patterns and colors of its scales. My need to eat lunch prompted me to release it and wish it well on its journey. So far this year no butterfly eggs of any species have been found on the two patches of false nettle— it has been a very chilly spring—but I'm sure in the upcoming month I'll get to experience their life cycle again.
Early instar
Early instar
Mid instar
Mid-instar
Chrysalis
Chrysalis

What I learned from raising Question Mark caterpillars:

  • It's not unusual for the female to lay eggs so they are stacked. I had wanted to get a photo of 3 stacked eggs but I accidentally knocked over the stack.
  • The caterpillars hide out at the base of the plant. I often found them lurking around the rim of the pot or in the soil.
  • They change color with each instar, and I suspect that each caterpillar has its own unique coloration for each instar. I didn't do a very good job of documenting this and it's something I'll work on.
  • The bristles do make it a bit tricky to pick them up and relocate them. The bristles do not sting.
Question Mark butterfly, ventral view
Question mark or fermata?
Summer form
Summer form
Winter form
Winter form
False nettle
False nettle (host plant)

Small Spike False Nettle

Ready to raise your own brood of Question Marks? We have a limited supply of host plants available.

False nettle is the non-stinging version from the nettle family that serves as a host plant to three butterflies: Eastern Comma, Red Admiral, and Question Mark. It prefers to be grown in moist to wet soil and part-sun. As for appearance it is just leaves with some little flowers that grow near the stems. The plant is ideal for acting as a filler for areas that are shady and moist.
Small Spike False Nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica
Partial sun
Medium wet soil
3 feet tall
Blooms June to August
Bloom color yellow

$3.00

SHOP NOW
4th Annual Open House

Click on image to visit the event webpage for information and free RSVP tickets.

NABA Butterfly Counts

Weymouth Woods

Monday, June 8, 2020

9:00 to 3:00 PM
Contact: Brian Bockhahn

Orange County Count

Sunday, August 9, 2020

9:00 to 3:00 PM
Contact: Backyard Butterflies

Durham County Count

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Contact: Jeff Pippen
2nd Annual Moth Night

Click on image to visit the event webpage for information and free RSVP tickets.

Caterpillar Support

We offer Caterpillar Support to those who are in need of host plants, foster care, or adoption of caterpillars.

There are 18 species of caterpillar that we can provide the host plant for, and we can also provide host plants for some species of moths.

This program is free of charge. All you need to do is apply letting us know what host plants you need, or if you need us to foster care or adopt your caterpillars.


Wild Indigo Duskywing
Wild Indigo Duskywing caterpillar

Plant Pots Return Request

We appreciate the return of pots for re-use if you happen to be passing by our way. No need to contact us, just drop them off on our porch.
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Coming Up in July:

Moths!

Banded Tussock