Monarch - A very common butterfly at the farm, bright orange wings. Females lay eggs on milkweed plants, caterpillars are bright yellow, white, and black. They are common throughout North and Central America, with subspecies in South America and Africa. We breed Monarchs from March to October.
Black Swallowtail - Another common butterfly on the farm, wings are black with blue stripes and white dots. Eggs are laid on rue and other herbs, caterpillars change from dark black to a bright yellow color, mimicking the Monarch. They are found all across Eastern North America, but don't stray too far south and don't go too far west. We breed Black Swallowtails from January to December, all year round.
Tiger Swallowtail - A less frequent flyer in the flight areas, Tiger Swallowtails are one of the biggest butterflies in North America. Males are yellow with black stripes, while females have blue instead of black stripes. There is a rare version of the female Tiger Swallowtail that looks the same as the Black Swallowtail. Eggs are laid on Tulip Poplars, Magnolias, and other trees. Caterpillars are small and black when younger but grow up to be a bright green color with eyes that look like snakes. They are found throughout Eastern North America, but are strays to southern states such as Florida, and will not go to Central or Western North America. We breed Tiger Swallowtails from April to November, then overwinter the chrysalides.
Giant Swallowtail - A very rare flyer in our flight areas and in the wild, the Giant Swallowtail is the biggest butterfly in North America. Wings are black with yellow stripes, and females are bigger than males. Eggs are laid on Prickly Ash, Wild Lyme, and Rue. Caterpillars look like bird droppings. Giant Swallowtails are native to the Southeastern US, and parts of Mexico. We breed Giant Swallowtails from May to November, then overwinter the chrysalides.
Pipevine Swallowtail (larvae shown) - A "one-timer" in the flight areas, Pipevine Swallowtails are an unknown and unexpected to our farm. Butterflies have dark black wings with blue stripes. Eggs are laid in clusters on Pipevine plants. Caterpillars are a blackish-purple with orange spikes. Pipevine Swallowtails are native to all of the southern US, with a subspecies known as the California Pipevine Swallowtail in California. We breed Pipevine Swallowtails from April to November, then overwinter the chrysalides.
Spicebush Swallowtail (larva shown) - A rarer butterfly in the flight areas. Wings are black with blue stripes, mimicking the Pipevine Swallowtail. Eggs are laid on Spicebush plants. Caterpillars change from a bright brownish-yellow color to a green color with eyes mimicking a snake. Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are native to the east coat of the United States and are also native to places in Central America. We breed Monarchs from April to November, then overwinter the chrysalides.
Zebra Swallowtail - Very rare in our flight houses. There are 3 broods -- each have longer tails than the one before it. Wings are black and white, mimicking a zebra. Eggs are laid on PawPaw trees. Caterpillars are black, yellow, and white, mimicking a monarch. Zebra Swallowtails are native to the Southeastern US. We breed Zebra Swallowtails from March to November, then overwinter the chrysalides.
Polydamas Swallowtail - A common visitor in the flight area. The wings are black with small gold stripes. Eggs are laid in clumps on fresh growth of Pipevine plants. Caterpillars are purple-ish black with orange spines. The Polydamas Swallowtail is native to Southern Florida and Southern Texas, and places in Central America. We breed Polydamas Swallowtails from January to December, all year round.
Queen - A very rare visitor in the flight area, only has been bred twice in our entire time working. Wings have a dark orange-ish brown color. Eggs are laid on milkweed leaves. Caterpillars are the same as monarchs, except they have an extra filament in the middle of their bodies. Queens are found in the southern US, around the Gulf Coast, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Florida. We breed Queens from January to December, all year round.
Zebra Longwing - A very common visitor to the flight area, we have at least 4 broods per year. Wings are black with white stripes -- mimicking a zebra. Eggs are laid in clusters on the new growth of Passionvine plants. Caterpillars are white with black spines. Zebra Longwings are native to the Gulf Coast, specifically Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. We breed Zebras from January to December, all year round.
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Julia - Very rare to the flight area, only bred 3 times in our time. Wings are bright orange with black markings. Eggs are laid on fresh growth of passionvines. Caterpillars are black with gray spines and white dots. Julias are native to Southern Florida and Texas, Mexico, and other parts of Central and South America. We breed Julias from January to December, all year round.
Gulf Fritillary - One of the most common butterflies in our flight area, we always have 5-6 broods each year. Wings are bright orange with silver spots on the undersides. Eggs are laid on or near passionvine plants. Caterpillars are red with black spines. Gulf Fritillaries are native in North America all the way up to Nebraska and Indiana. We breed Gulf Fritillaries from March to November, then overwinter the butterflies.
Variegated Fritillary - A rarer sight in the flight area, only around 1-2 broods per year. Wings are peachy/cream-colored with black markings. Eggs are laid on Passionvine and Violets. Caterpillars are red with black spines and white markings. Variegated Fritillaries are native to the Northeaster US -- they don't like to stray too far south or west. We breed Variegated Fritillaries from April to October, then overwinter the chrysalides.
Painted Lady - A very common butterfly, over 6 broods per year. Wings are bright orange with black and white markings, mimicking the monarch. Eggs are laid on Mallows, Ironweeds, and other plants. Caterpillars are black with small black spines. The Painted Lady is native to all of the US, and other parts of the world such as Africa, and Central and South America. We breed Painted Ladies from February to November, sometimes all year round if we have enough host plant food.
Eastern Comma - Very common, one of the most. Lots of eggs, many broods. Butterflies are orange and black on the front, and are camouflaged as leaves on the underside. Eggs are laid in stacks on False Nettles, Hop Vines, and other plants. Caterpillars are black with yellow spines. Eastern Commas are native to the Northeastern US, not straying too south. We breed Eastern Commas from May to November, then overwinter them as butterflies.
Red Admiral - Pretty rare in the flight areas, only around 2-3 broods per year. Butterflies are brown with orange, black, and white markings. Eggs are laid on False Nettles. Caterpillars are black with black spines. Red Admirals are native to the Northeastern US, not liking to stray too far down south. We breed Red Admirals from May to November, then overwinter them as butterflies.
Cabbage White - Common visitor to the flighthouse. Wings are white with yellow markings and black spots. Eggs are laid on Kale, Spiderflower, and other plants. Caterpillars are bright green and are camouflaged into the leaves. Cabbage Whites are native to all over the US and parts of Canada. We breed Cabbage Whites from April to November, then overwinter the butterflies.