Those crazy fritillary moms
I wouldn't have believed it unless I'd actually SEEN when and how it happened. I was outside awhile ago, working in the back yard, when I noticed some Gulf fritillary kids on bare passionflower vines. Previous brood had gobbled up the leaves! So I carefully moved several to vines that had plenty of chow. Right when I was depositing one, a Gulf fritillary mom fluttered up, landed on a leaf and stuck her rear up in the air. Huh?
Then I did a double take!!
She laid an egg on a STRAND OF SPIDER SILK!
I had to go get my camera because who in their right mind would ever believe me if I told them what I'd observed! See for yourself!
That Gulf fritillary mom is right up there with the one that two years ago laid an egg on our chain-link fence. I blogged about that one, too: "This butterfly needs glasses."
And now I have a little dilemma. Do I move the egg or just leave it be?
7 comments:
That is one talented butterfly! I say just leave it. I've learned the hard way that nature knows best. Great pic of the egg, by the way:)
I think I'm with you, Steph. :-)
Is there any moment of Nature that might pass by Sheryl?? I think not!!
WOW-what a cool moment and thanks for sharing this with everyone!!
martha
I vote to leave it but then yesterday I was picking dill and when I got it into the house I discovered at least 10 eggs and 2 tiny caterpillars. I rushed back outside and put the stem with the caterpillars back. I don't think I can do anything about the eggs.
Leave it. When it hatches, move the caterpillar instead.
Where do you stand on fall leaf cleanup? Leave them for the instets or remove them to tidy up the garden?
I went back Thursday and couldn't find the egg. So I don't know what happened to it. And leaves? I cut up small dead branches and other old foliage, then toss them back on the ground. We don't get a lot of falling leaves from our live oaks. But I'm of the opinion of letting it all go back into the soil. Can you use the leaves somewhere else in your gardens?
Aww that's unfortunate :-/ the egg might have fallen. Incredible photo, how many people have come across this situation? Probably not many people that's for sure!
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