After years of waiting, knowing their habitat was slowly expanding northward, occasionally buying more coontie plants (the caterpillars only food source), knowing there were healthy populations in the area (Henegar center, Max Rodes park community center, Florida Tech, probably the Brevard Zoo and at the Walmart on Palm Bay road to name a few), almost executing a plan to cut some fronds with caterpillars from Max Rodes and let them go on my coontie plants. Was wandering the yard a couple week ago, went over to one of the largest coonties and saw this.
Atala caterpillars.




Then about 10 days later, chrysalis



Didn't see the butterflies when they emerged, but a few days later saw this one, appeared to be laying eggs.



Today saw caterpillars on a couple of the smaller potted coonties



eggs on some.



and butterflies



Info about the Atala Hairstreak.

Florida Tech- A Conservation Story

DM


Edited: 08/07/2024 at 05:44 PM by Dangermouse01