The striking Viceroy Limenitis archippus, can be sighted in flight, here in Massachusetts, from around the end of May till the beginning of October.Birds are now searching out the overwintering, hibernating, bird droppings-like caterpillars in their neatly constructed leafy 'tents' of apples, cherry or willow leaves. Like the Red-spotted Admiral they cleverly create a hibernaculum by drawing out silk from their bodies and securing leaves to twigs or branches so that they cannot fall. The third … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Viceroy and Common Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Viceroy and Common Buckeye
The striking Viceroy Limenitis archippus, can be sighted in flight, here in Massachusetts, from around the end of May till the beginning of October.Birds are now searching out the overwintering, hibernating, bird droppings-like caterpillars in their neatly constructed leafy 'tents' of apples, cherry or willow leaves. Like the Red-spotted Admiral they cleverly create a hibernaculum by drawing out silk from their bodies and securing leaves to twigs or branches so that they cannot fall. … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Viceroy and Common Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Later on in this merry month of April, here in Western Massachusetts, Red-spotted Admirals Limenitis arthemis, who survive the cold winter and foraging birds, will awaken from their overwintering third larva stage. Flower Hill Farm has many of the preferred larva host plants or trees. The sleeping caterpillars, mimicking bird droppings, may be hiding out in some of our Black Cherry, Yellow Birch, poplars, hawthorns and shadbushes. When they awaken, the caterpillars will munch on leaves for a … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Later on in this merry month of April, here in Western Massachusetts, Red-spotted Admirals Limenitis arthemis, who survive the cold winter and foraging birds, will awaken from their overwintering third larva stage. Flower Hill Farm has many of the preferred larva host plants or trees. The sleeping caterpillars, mimicking bird droppings, may be hiding out in some of our Black Cherry, Yellow Birch, poplars, hawthorns and shadbushes. When they awaken, the caterpillars will munch … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ GRAND FINALE
The series Flower Hill Farm Butterflies (all sightings and most photos are from 2011 with exception to a few from other years) along with a few other Lepidoptera . . . comes to its final metamorphosis . . . and end . . . just as many buds are beginning to unfurl and reports of 2012 butterfly sightings begin. My knowledge and respect for these butterflies and moths has grown over the last fifteen or so posts. It was lovely spending all of January, February and most of March … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ GRAND FINALE
