Butterfly Blizzard
The Fall rains bring the butterflies! In fact blizzard-like conditions are happening across the island as these tiny ferries return and make life more magical.
A variety of butterfly species can be found on Anguilla from now through February. The current predominant species is the Florida White. These little beauties are often confused with a moth, but indeed they are a butterfly. Nothing says butterfly like wings up!
This week I was lucky to witness them laying their eggs on a host plant. I was surprised as the butterfly went into a transe-like state while laying tiny yellow eggs in neat rows on the leaf.
I then became acutely aware that there were eggs all over the leaves on the plant.
It was suggested, that I should collect the leaves with eggs and try to raise them in captivity. My initial thought was that this was way above my pay grade and they would fair much better on their own as Mother Nature intended. However when I returned the next day, the sad reality was that many of the eggs had been eaten. Most likely they provided a tasty snack for the resident Bananaquits. Conjure up every cliche about the circle of life you can imagine. I am sure the caterpillars don’t want to hear it.
However, some of the eggs had hatched to become these colorful tiny caterpillars.
This host plant was chosen as a food source to sustain them as they move to the next stage in their life cycle.
As you can see, some of the “Hungry Hungry Caterpillars” have literally eaten themselves out of a host! The ones on the upper leaf might want to take note - just sayin’!
Thus far there is no evidence of transition, but I will keep my eyes open and bring it to you if and when I see it!
Have you experienced the “Butterfly Blizzard” on Anguilla? If so, please share in the comments.
To see the live action of this phenomenal event, check out my YouTube video here:
My favourite insect along with lady bugs... really enjoyed the video and newsletter!