Seeding the Meadow

July wildflower seeds....

Grass and wildflower seeds from our land...

Last July and just yesterday, I distributed seeds across the Meadow in hopes of starting new natives (green bowl). Summer seeds included beebalm, Indian blanket and others I can't even remember now. Yesterday I collected seedheads from gayfeathers, goldenrod, Lindheimer muhly, switchgrass, Indiangrass, flameleaf sumac and more (plate). Can't wait for spring to see what happens! Even if just a few germinate, that'll be GREAT! 
 

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?

Now THAT's a BIG caterpillar!

We were in the front yard a few days ago, and I leaned over the lemon verbena for a closer look. Something black had caught me eye. Part of a leaf? NOOOO! Eek! It was a big fat chubby hornworm! (The thing startled me at first, I confess.) I laughed and called for James to come see. We found a second one, too, munching away on the leaves.

Actually, I believe they're rustic sphinxes (Manduca rustica). I checked on them another day or two. Then they disappeared. That's because this species burrows underground to pupate.

Fragrant mistflower magic

The butterfly activity on our fragrant mistflowers is amazing right now but more so on one in the back yard. This isn't a great video, but maybe you can get a sense of what it looks like right now!

Butterfly and moth sightings confirmed

Now and then, I submit images to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Lost Ladybug Project and Butterflies and Moths of North America. 

Earlier this month, I sent three sightings from our Wildscape to the Butterflies and Moths for confirmation. A regional coordinator verified my submissions, and all three have been added to the Blanco County species list: 

* White-lined sphinx 

* Common mestra

* Carmenta armasata

Caterpillar? Not!

Earlier this month, I spotted what I thought were caterpillars on the seedpods of my climbing snapdragon vine. When I'd touch one, it'd snap up, then drop back into position. Perplexed, I shot some photos and submitted them to Bugguide.net. What species of caterpillar were they, I asked.

"Could be among the plume moths," John commented. 

Then it dawned on me!

I was seeing COCOONS, not caterpillars!

Cocoon of a moth in the superfamily Pterophoroidea

Strange behavior of snapping up when touched....

Not a great shot but another "snapper."

Later, I shot some more photos of cocoons...

They're very well camouflaged against the seedhead's green.

I also photographed some climbing snapdragon seeds. They're COOL.

James put our new sign up!

Yesterday evening, after much debate, we settled on a place to put our new sign–Texas Wildscapes Wildlife Habitat Demonstration Site. Then James got to work, chopping two cedar poles and digging holes.

After an hour or so, he was ready to attach the sign.

While we were outside, Davis, Petyon's little brother, wandered over and visited. He's in first grade and a fine young man, just like his big brother. When it came time to take a picture of our sign, Davis was game!