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Author Topic: Papilio Polyxenes  (Read 36993 times)

Offline Davep

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Papilio Polyxenes
« on: July 19, 2017, 1720 UTC »
I would like to share this with the idea that it may inspire others, and brag. Wildlife is on the run these days, so my wife and I do hands on activist projects instead of just moaning about it.
I chose to raise butterflies after reading about the demise of the Monarch due to loss of wintering habitat and poisoning of host plants made available by chem giants Monsanto and others ( whole nuther story)
Anyway, I documented Polyxenes " Johnny Walker"  ( #4 this year , brothers Black and Red and Snorky Jr since July 15) . In 2016 I released a total of 22.
Eggs hatched 7/18/17 and there are 13 in this gen 2
In the wild predators consume 90% Rearing increases to 80_ 100%survival

I keep them in specialized equipment - a Chinese food tray and later a hermit crab cage.
You have to gather the anise every day . The 22 I raised last year consumed the entire plant, causing a shortage with the 4 th gen. I have 2 additional food plants this year

Black Swallowtails aren't threatened and we have planted Milkweed for Monarchs, so it would have a more direct effect, but sadly their numbers are low and we've only seen 2 in the area this year. In the future and this year we still hope one will find our plants and glorify our efforts.

 This page edited 6/21/18 for videos that no longer exist


Thanks for reading
 Davep
« Last Edit: June 22, 2018, 0114 UTC by Davep »
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Offline MDK2

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2017, 1807 UTC »
Very cool Dave.
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Offline Ct Yankee

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2017, 2248 UTC »
My wife and I also are very much pro-butterfly.  While we do not hatch our own, we don't use any pesticides in the garden or on the lawn.  We allow native weeds to grow and flower in sections, including milkweed and wild thyme. We also grow a half dozen types of fruit and numerous flowers they favor.  We must have 8-12 (various swallowtails, skippers, and fritillaries) varieties that visit our property, saw the first Monarch of the year yesterday - was it yours, Davep  ;D?  Nice work, sir! 
« Last Edit: July 19, 2017, 2252 UTC by Ct Yankee »
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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2017, 0017 UTC »
If you happen to be in the area, this is a must-see:

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/butterfly-rainforest/

Offline ChrisSmolinski

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2017, 2029 UTC »
Very nice indeed. I plant a wildflower meadow each year, and always put in one of the "butterflies and pollinator" mixes. I also have an area of milkweed that I allow to re-grow each year.
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Offline Davep

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2017, 0548 UTC »
Glad to hear of everyone's efforts!

Two more flew away this am


« Last Edit: July 21, 2017, 1438 UTC by Davep »
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Offline Josh

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2017, 1749 UTC »
I ate a few Monarchs in crysalis today, makes for a delightfully crunchy coating to a juicy center!
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Offline Ct Yankee

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2017, 1816 UTC »
...with fava beans and a nice chianti, I presume.  ;)

Two monarchs here today, no apparent bite marks.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2017, 1644 UTC by Ct Yankee »
Tecsun H501x (broadcast received on this unless noted), Zenith T/O G500, Zenith T/O Royal 7000, Emerson AR-176, Zenith 8S154, T/O 7G605 (Bomber), Tecsun PL-600, Tecsun PL-880, Zenith 5S320, Realistic DX 160 using 40 feet of copper wire.  With apologies to Senator Gramm for his thoughts on firearms, "I have more radios than I need but not as many as I want."
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Offline Davep

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2017, 0102 UTC »
Thanks CT Yankee  I love it.  I'll name one for you
« Last Edit: July 22, 2017, 0131 UTC by Davep »
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Offline Pigmeat

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2017, 0825 UTC »
I ate a few Monarchs in crysalis today, makes for a delightfully crunchy coating to a juicy center!

How did I know that was coming?


Offline John Poet

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2017, 1044 UTC »
"The monarch will be crowned."


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Offline Josh

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2017, 1641 UTC »
I ate a few Monarchs in crysalis today, makes for a delightfully crunchy coating to a juicy center!

How did I know that was coming?



They're chitiny good!
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Offline Davep

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Re: Papilio Proxenes
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2017, 0406 UTC »

The last fly of the batch, "Cordell Walker" took off Sat
It will be about 16 days before the next event.  
I believe some of them have remained or visit the yard , I can't be sure but it doesn't take long to spot one now.




« Last Edit: July 30, 2017, 0255 UTC by Davep »
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Offline Davep

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Re: Papilio Polyxenes
« Reply #13 on: August 02, 2017, 1841 UTC »


The second batch in which there were initially 15, has dwindled to 4 +1 new.
I cannot be sure what caused the die off. They were healthy when collected and
became belly up 1 or 2 a day. Of the 4 survivors , one is chrysalis and the others are ready.
No way I can be sure, there are all sorts of things but clues are pesticide or herbicide on the plant from the neighbors ( seen) or the Mosquito truck ( not seen).  

A new batch is on the plants now and it has rained since.
Putting me behind compared to last year at this time
« Last Edit: August 03, 2017, 0242 UTC by Davep »
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Offline Ct Yankee

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Re: Papilio Polyxenes
« Reply #14 on: August 02, 2017, 2113 UTC »

I have 5 caterpillars crawling about my Chinese food take out box at the moment loving my homegrown milkweed.
Tecsun H501x (broadcast received on this unless noted), Zenith T/O G500, Zenith T/O Royal 7000, Emerson AR-176, Zenith 8S154, T/O 7G605 (Bomber), Tecsun PL-600, Tecsun PL-880, Zenith 5S320, Realistic DX 160 using 40 feet of copper wire.  With apologies to Senator Gramm for his thoughts on firearms, "I have more radios than I need but not as many as I want."
QTH:  Durham, Connecticut (rural setting, 15 miles north of Long Island Sound)
qsl please to:  jamcanner@comcast.net  (Thank you)

 

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