Cruising Kane`ohe Saturday, I came upon a garage sale. More interesting than the sale, however, was the woman's hobby. She raises Monarch Butterflies.
She had dozens of net 'cages' containing butterflies, pupae, caterpillars and eggs. Hundreds of each. She had nectar flowers for the butterflies, crown flower leaves for the caterpillars, stands for the pupae.
Most unusual was that a small percentage of her monarchs were black and white rather than black and orange! She says she is one of two people she knows who propagates white monarchs.
I have always kept one or more crown flower plants to attract monarchs and provide food for the caterpillars, but I leave them to nature. She says the caterpillars are attacked and eaten by yellow hornets and that Bulbuls are able to eat the butterflies (I thought they were poisonous). She protects them until the butterflies are well-fed and strong, and then releases them.
I was quite impressed. What a novel way to help beautify our island home.
She had dozens of net 'cages' containing butterflies, pupae, caterpillars and eggs. Hundreds of each. She had nectar flowers for the butterflies, crown flower leaves for the caterpillars, stands for the pupae.
Most unusual was that a small percentage of her monarchs were black and white rather than black and orange! She says she is one of two people she knows who propagates white monarchs.
I have always kept one or more crown flower plants to attract monarchs and provide food for the caterpillars, but I leave them to nature. She says the caterpillars are attacked and eaten by yellow hornets and that Bulbuls are able to eat the butterflies (I thought they were poisonous). She protects them until the butterflies are well-fed and strong, and then releases them.
I was quite impressed. What a novel way to help beautify our island home.
Comment