butterflyspot

CHEQUERED SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY    CHEQUERED SWALLOWTAIL this beautiful butterfly was breeding in the WESTERN PILLIGA one season  The site became too dry for the Larval Host Plants to survive. Seeds were planted  at the  COONABARABRAN BUTTERFLY WALK and are thriving,. Host plant  Cullen tenax  -below also the larval plant for 3 small "blues"  

Some butterfly host plants etc. in flower today: SWAN PLANT  Gomphocarpus fruticosus  Larval host plant for WANDERER AND LESSER WANDERER BUTTERFLIES  WANDERER  or MONARCH Pupa  Adult MALE LARVA LESSER WANDERER Danaus chryssipus above and below Aphids placed on the stem by ANTS - natural biological control - LADYBIRDS feed on them.  This pupa was placed on the tree. Larvae were rescued from a garden where they are often not welcomed on LEMON TREES so they are then raised on potted seedling CITRUS spp. I place a small stick in the pot when they are mature enough to pupate; the stick can then be fastened to a shrub in the Butterfly Patch.