A very rare butterfly story

ZEROPILOT

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Although technically a south Florida native butterfly, Green Malachites are all but extinct in the wild because their larvae only eat a certain SHRIMP PLANT.
I purchased three living chrysalis from BUTTERFLY WORLD in Coconut Creek Florida (A giant walk through tropical butterfly aviary) and I hatched and released them into my yard.
I have two such shrimp plants.
Fingers crossed.
 

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Toddrickfl1

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Although technically a south Florida native butterfly, Green Malachites are all but extinct in the wild because their larvae only eat a certain SHRIMP PLANT.
I purchased three living chrysalis from BUTTERFLY WORLD in Coconut Creek Florida (A giant walk through tropical butterfly aviary) and I hatched and released them into my yard.
I have two such shrimp plants.
Fingers crossed.
I'm shocked butterfly world is still there! I used to go there when I was a kid!
 

Toddrickfl1

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I was always on the large side growing up. I played a lot of football. But I also was secretly interested in collecting butterflies and large moths.
(Don't tell anyone)
I fancied myself as a beekeeper. I used to catch bees and keep them in jars, until they died lol.
 

KarenSoCal

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I fancied myself as a beekeeper. I used to catch bees and keep them in jars, until they died lol.
Many years ago, I kept a hive. I enjoyed it, it was relaxing, and satisfying.
But my bees hated me. They would go out of their way to sting me when I didn't have protective gear on.
I finally said "enough of this" and gave the hive to my mentor. They liked him, even though he'd open the racks with no protection on. They never stung him.
 

ZenHerper

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Many years ago, I kept a hive. I enjoyed it, it was relaxing, and satisfying.
But my bees hated me. They would go out of their way to sting me when I didn't have protective gear on.
I finally said "enough of this" and gave the hive to my mentor. They liked him, even though he'd open the racks with no protection on. They never stung him.
My guess is they were genetically used to him.

I have a container garden going back 20 years that houses a number of species of tiny bumblebees and leafcutter bees. They've known me so many generations now that I have to carefully check my clothes before I get in my car in case any have hopped onto me to say "Hey, Zen!" as I walk past. All of these species are sting-free. But.

Where we used to live there were also yellow jackets and the usual kinds of bumblebees. They also learned me and the dogs. No stinging.

I'm looking forward to getting to know some new families of hymenoptera when we sign on our house in January. The block needs a serious wildflower garden.
 

KarenSoCal

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My guess is they were genetically used to him.
Yes, that could be possible, but not likely in this case. The hive had not been given to me by my mentor, but by someone else.
I've wondered if it was because I'm female. Both the original keeper and my mentor were male.
Your container garden sounds delightful!
 

jeff kushner

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That's VERY cool Zero....

Butterflies are my "turtles" of the insect world as hummingbirds are in the bird world. With teacher mom, us 5 kids used to raise Monarchs since we were in their migration path. We always wondered if we raised a 7th gen'er.

Here's to hoping that you need to get more shrimp plants!!
 

ZEROPILOT

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Cathie G

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I fancied myself as a beekeeper. I used to catch bees and keep them in jars, until they died lol.
I did that too but I always let them go after a little bit. It's a wonder I didn't get stung a lot by angry bees. Or maybe they were just thinking phew ? when I let them loose.
 

TheLastGreen

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How's it going with those butterflies @ZEROPILOT ? Today I walked outside after some rain and found this on our cape plumbago20220217_142855.jpg
(It may not be butterflies, but it reminded me of your post)
The last while we've seen some large swallowtails, small yellow butterflies and some grey ones
(Edit, lol, just found out these are shield bug eggs)
 
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