Avignon's Butterfly and Herb Garden

Butterflies that I have observed so far this year.

moving picture of butterfly

Following the list of butterflies below is a butterfly table.

Monarch - (Danaus plexippus): Family: Milkweed (Danaidae) The Monarch is the only butterfly that annually migrates both North and South on a regular basis. The primary larval food source is the Milkweed.

Gulf Fritillary - (Argraulis vanillae): Family: Brush-Footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) Subfamily: Longwings (Heliconiinae) Longwings can not survive the cold weather, so they are restricted to the deep South in the winter. However, they may migrate up through the plains states. The primary larval food source is the Passionflower.

picture of fritillary on pentas

Red Admiral - (Vanessa atalanta): Family: Brush-Footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) Subfamily: (Nymphalinae) It is hard to keep these butterflies in sight because of their fast zig-zagging flight. The primary larval food source is Nettles.

picture of a Red Admiral on Portersweed

Cloudless Sulphur - (Phoebis sennae): Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae) Sulphurs are yellow butterflies that most often choose members of the pea family as food plants. They fly steadily with little gliding. The primary larval food source is Senna (Cassia spp.).

The picture of a Cloudless Sulphur caterpillar on Cassia Picture of Cloudless Sulphur chrysalis on Cassia plant Picture of the Cloudless Sulphur

Gray Hairstreak - Common Hairstreak (Strymon melinus): Family: Gossamer Wings (Lycaenidae) Hairstreaks are hard to find because they blend in with the background and are small. They lay eggs on more species of plants than most other butterflies. The primary larval food source is a variety of plants, particularly legumes and mallows.

Picture of Grey Hairstreak on Butterfly Bush

Eastern Black Swallowtail: (Papilio polyxenes): Family: Swallowtails (Papilionidae) Swallowtails are large, beautiful butterflies with brilliant colors. The projections on their hind wings resemble a swallows tail, thus their name. The primary larval food sources are wild carrot, dill, parsley, parsnip and sweet fennel.

Picture of Eastern Black Swallowtail on Pentas

Giant Swallowtail: (Papilio (or Heraclides) Cresphontes): Family: Swallowtails (Papilionidae) Giant Swallowtails are beautiful and are considered the largest North American butterfly. They are considered a pest by citrus growers and are subject to massive spraying of pesticides. Citrus growers call them "Orange Dog". The primary larval food sources are prickly ash, hop tree and citrus trees.

Giant Swallow Tail on Pentas

**BUTTERFLY TABLE**
Butterfly	Length of Stages				Larva Food	Where Found
Butterfly	Egg	Larva	Chrysalis	Adult	Larva Food	Where Found
Monarch	4-6 Days	2-3 Weeks	5-15 Days	1-3 Months	Milkweed	South: All year North: June to Oct
Gulf Fritillary	4-8 Days	2-3 Weeks	5-10 Days	2-4 Weeks	Passionflower	South: All year North: May to Sept
Red Admiral	4-14 Days	2-4 Weeks	7-14 Days	6-20 Days	Nettles	South: All year North: June to Sept
Cloudless Sulphur	3-7 Days	2-4 Weeks	7-14 Days	6-10 Days	Sennas (Cassia ssp.)	South: All Year North: June to Oct
Gray Hairstreak	4-6 Days	3-4 Weeks	10-20 Days	4-10 Days	Variety of plants esp. legumes and mallows	South: Feb to Oct North: May to Oct
Eastern Black Swallowtail	4-10 Days	3-4 Weeks	10-20 Days	6-14 Days	Wild carrot, dill, parsley, parsnip and sweet fennel	South: Mar to Nov North: May to Sep
Giant Swallowtail	4-10 Days	3-4 Weeks	10-20 Days	6-14 Days	Prickly ash, hop tree and citrus trees	South: All Year North: May to Sep

Picture of Avignon

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Visitor number this year.