Just as in the Twelvetide song when the “Five gold(en) rings” acts as tempo watershed between the bars I am breaking off from the food menu of song and game birds (5 ring-necked pheasants) to winged creatures of an inedible sort – butterflies.
Five Painted Ladies
I confess to keeping these chrysalis cases for quite a while after the Painted lady butterflies flew the nest as it were. With a sketched overlay in photoshop, the pupa cases look even more like delicate body art.
As they matured, the caterpillars climbed to the top of the breeding jar, spacing themselves in an almost equidistant ring around the paper lid. The emergent butterflies of both sexes have 5 white spots in the black forewing tips and when the wings are closed, 5 eyelets can be seen on the underside.
Captive breeding and release is not without controversy but there is growing evidence to suggest that the ‘plant it and they will come’ policy is not working for areas where butterfly numbers are particularly low. I have seen swathes of Buddleia bushes along miles of railway embankments in the London area which have no butterflies feeding.
Maintenance of habitats is the most important element of conservation. Nevertheless responsible re-introduction may also have a part to play though it requires knowledge and supply of both larval food plants and nectar flower sources in the vicinity of release
My thanks to Bertie Bainbridge for inspiring me with his native butterfly rearing at Hidcote Manor. You can catch up with my posts here:-
- Caterpillar to Chrysalis in C-Change
- Releasing the butterflies in Travelling Lady
Meanwhile I’m joining Diana’s festive dozen meme on this 5th Day of Christmas
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©Copyright 2011 Laura Thomas.
All rights reserved. Content created by Laura Thomas @PatioPatch
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Not C hooked yet, but I am fascinated by the many bloggers who are.
Elephant’s Eye read my post..The Fifth Day of Christmas
The chrysalis cases are so delicate as are the butterflies that came out of them. Nature is so good at producing works of art.
- assume that’s c for caterpillars Diana rather than conservation?!
- hard to part with these mementos Janet so took photos instead
Dear Laura, I’ve heard some local gardeners complain that they have planted milkweed, but seen no monarch butterfly eggs or chrysalis. I have always subscribed to the ‘plant it and they will come’ theory, but maybe you are right in saying its not working. I’ve not been an advocate of captive breeding and release, but am beginning to rethink. Love your images. P. x
Pam’s English Garden read my post..Carrots for Christmas
Nice! Great item for the fifth (pause) day, too. Cheers!
PlantPostings read my post..A mystical story about three Crocus bulbs
So fun sharing the blogging world through out 2011 with you. Your support has been very much appreciated. Happy New Year.
Carolyn @ Carolyns Shade Gardens read my post..Friends, Food, Flowers, and Fun
- sad fact Pam is that the butterflies have gone from so many parts
- made a change Beth
- and the same to you Carolyn. Thank you
I wasn’t aware that butterflies had gone missing in so many areas. The idea of hatching your own, I hope, works well. I love seeing butterflies in my garden, although they don’t like my butterfly bush! I hope you see your butterflies returning to your garden next year.
HolleyGarden read my post..12 Gifts From the Garden
A lovely interpretation of the 5th day!
I wish you a very happy New Year and a stunning 2012 Garden!
Christine @ The Gardening Blog read my post..2012 Calendars and Happy New Year
Love the chrysalis and the butterflies…I found butterflies feeding less and less on the buddleias…they have been labeled invasive in certain areas and I will be pulling mine out and replacing with native trees and bushes…the butterflies prefer the host plants I have planted for them…Happy New Year!!
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Third Day of Christmas
Happy New Year Laura! I hope you try your hand at breeding again; your Painted Ladies this year were incredibly beautiful.
Bertie Bainbridge read my post..Unreal Autumn
am thinking of moths Bertie as they are in a worse plight. Happy New Year in this your last at Hidcote. Expect a vist