Butterflies Abound

Last week started with the threat of freezing temperatures and frost shutting down the garden for the season. Fortunately, the garden narrowly escaped the threat and there was no damage to the plants. It is a good thing because this is peak butterfly season and as each day passed and temperatures warmed, more and more butterflies filled the garden. 

The plants getting the most attention from the butterflies are Gregg's Mistflower, Conoclinium greggii, Fragrant Mistflower, Eupatorium havanense, Mealycup Sage, Salvia farinacea, Zexmenia, Wedelia texana, and Mexican Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica. Most of these plants should be available at the Texas Discovery Gardens Fall Plant Sale next weekend.

Here is a glimpse at the colorful show and at the end is an attempt to capture some of the action on video. 


There are still a number of Monarchs lingering in the garden when they should be vacationing in Mexico for the winter. This one is feeding on Mexican Milkweed. Since many of the favorite butterfly plants mentioned above are native to southern areas of Texas, I have often wondered if the Monarchs are tricked into thinking they are closer to Mexico than they really are.


Queen butterflies also enjoy the Mexican Milkweed.


The Gregg's Mistflower is probably the favorite nectar source in my garden for the Monarch and Queen butterflies. This one is a Queen.


Here is a Queen with open wings. I sometimes have trouble telling a Queen from a Monarch when their wings are close, but I know for sure once they open their wings. Compare this Queen to the Monarch in the top photo.


Monarchs feasting on Gregg's Mistflower.


Painted Lady and Pearly Crescent butterflies, as well as bees, gather on the Gregg's Mistflower.


Here is a closer look at a Pearly Crescent. 


Several American Snout butterflies made an appearance in the garden. 


This American Snout has a different wing pattern than the previous one. It is clear how this butterfly got its name. 


An American Snout catching some morning sun on its wings.


Common Buckeyes have always been a favorite butterfly for me. I think it is the eye spots that I find most interesting.


I know this is a Skipper, but that is as close to identifying this butterfly as I can get.


A Gray Hairstreak and bee share Gregg's Mistflower. There are several Hairstreak varieties and I may not be exact on this identification.


Another Common Buckeye on Fragrant Mistflower.


Still another Common Buckeye.


An American Snout and honey bee feeding on Fragrant Mistflower.


This Gulf Fritillary looked like it was trying to lay eggs on passion vine just before it settled on this Scarlet Sage, Salvia coccinea, flower. The Gulf Fritillary butterflies were also found feeding on the flowers of Flame Acanthus, Anisacanthus quadrifidus v. Wrightii.


A Gulf Fritillary warms its wings in the morning sun. This was a common sight on the cooler mornings.


A Painted Lady butterfly catches some sunlight while perched on Mealycup Sage.


Another view of a Painted Lady.


I think this is a Sulphur butterfly of some sort. It is feeding on Mealycup sage.

This yellow butterfly is probably in the Sulphur family too. It is much smaller than the one in the previous photo. The flower is Zexmenia.


This tiny butterfly is a Blue. Once again, I cannot determine the specific variety. It is feeding on the flowers of Gregg Dalea, Dalea greggii. I think they also lay their eggs on this plant.

In addition to butterflies, the fall flowers also attract many other pollinating insects. I think this is a Syrphid Hoverfly. It is resting on the leaves of Tall Boneset, Chromolaena odorata. The flowerbuds in the background are just about to open. This plant has been in the garden for two years and is probably marginally winter hardy this far north of its native range. The flowers are similar to Gregg's Mistflower and should be just as attractive to the butterflies and bees.

This is another fly on the flowers of Aromatic Aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium.

The flowers of the annual Cowpen Daisy, Verbesina encelioides, attracts many bees. This plant is also known by the classier name, Golden Crownbeard.
 
Below is my first blog video attempt. The video is jerky and fast moving. My images of a peaceful meadow setting are belied by the sounds of city traffic in the background.