BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 03:59 PM

A few Irish sitings here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055577026

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Arnie
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 09:57 AM

I've been seeing painted lady butterflies for a couple of weeks here - but as Dover is only 21 miles from France we're probably one of the first places they make landfall in the UK. Also a few brimstones and orange tips, but nowhere near a numerous as in the past.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 07:19 AM

I walked in the woods near Loggerheads(Shropshire/Staffs border) on Sunday, and Painted Ladies were the main butterflies to be seen. Loads of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 31 May 09 - 09:04 AM

Yes, I've been spotting lots of Painted Ladies along the banks of the Mersey, here in South Manchester. Yesterday, I visited a nature reserve near Runcorn (further west, where the river is tidal) and there were lots there too.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 09 - 01:35 AM

I went to an outdoor wedding one time where each guest was handed a small triangular shaped box which was closed up. When it came time to through the traditional rice/birdseed, we instead opened our boxes and watched while dozens of newly hatched butterflies took wing for the first time. It was magical and came from some company which specialised in providing those.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: open mike
Date: 31 May 09 - 12:25 AM

as for those victorian houses books, the photographer is from near me.
http://www.keisterphoto.com/index.asp

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 30 May 09 - 11:40 PM

They've arrived (in Co.Clare) - 1st observations Fri 29/05!

http://www.clarebirdwatching.com/home/mammal-insects.html

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 May 09 - 04:56 AM

Certainly more than usual this year. A dozen on a little bush outside my brother's front door in London yesterday morning. And when I got home to Stoke-on-Trent in the afternoon, there were several on my roof(we have a turf roof with flowers growing in it).

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Joybell
Date: 30 May 09 - 03:31 AM

Janie, my daughter was heart-broken when her pet caterpillar emerged from her pupa-case as a dull brown moth. Daughter really loved the furry stage. The magic was no substitute.
"Make it go back!! Mum. Go on!!"
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 May 09 - 07:37 AM

Saw some flying around my window last night. Don't remember this before in over 30 years. And a small Blue today.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Janie
Date: 28 May 09 - 06:54 PM

Thanks from me also, Kat.

It also brought back a guilty memory.

When Sum Yung Sun was young, we bought a Painted Lady butterfly kit. I don't remember the details - whether it came with a couple of egg or if we had to send in to have a caterpillar shipped express. Anyway, there was an enclosure and instructions for what kind of plant stalk to put into the enclosure for the larva to feed. I remember specifically, however, that we were supposed to cover or remove the water container the plant stalk was in once the caterpillar pupated.

Forgot to do it.

Long story short, we walked into his bedroom one Saturday afternoon to discover the Painted Lady had emerged in our absence, only to drown in the waterglass, probably almost immediately after emergence.

My boy cried and cried.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 09 - 06:44 PM

It's pretty neat, isn't it, Jim? Glad you enjoyed it!

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 May 09 - 06:23 PM

Yes, thanks. I'm trying to plant things that will encourage butterflies.

DId you know that little blue butterflies thrive on clover? I'm keeping all my clover from now on.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 May 09 - 06:20 PM

I haven't seen a butterfly or toad for years...I think the mosquito spray is killing them. Used to have LOTS of toads, yellow swallowtails, Monarchs and Painted ladies....not for a LONG time.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 28 May 09 - 06:14 PM

Thanks for that "katlaughing" - that's great!

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 09 - 01:48 PM

Neat video of the Painted Ladies from caterpillar to flight.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: ClaireBear
Date: 28 May 09 - 12:23 PM

And I thought you meant brightly painted Victorian houses...

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 May 09 - 01:52 AM

Painted Ladies are so pretty... I frequently have them around my butterfly bush, one year I counted more than 20 (and for a 30ft suburban back garden that is not bad!) feeding from the flowers. They gather in packs, unlike most other butterflies that are seen in Britain (Monarchs do it too at certain times but we never get those here).

My bush has been severely pruned this year (by about 15ft) so I don't think I'll see any this year.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: open mike
Date: 28 May 09 - 01:09 AM

Oh, I thought you meant naked ladies (should have done that in pink ink)

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 09 - 12:57 AM

Used to be many butterflies (including that yellow swallowtail) here in the foothills and prairies of Alberta, but very few now. Bees also way down.

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 09 - 12:52 AM

We keep seeing some kind of swallowtail around here. It is very yellow and large and lilting.:-) I love seeing them!

Subject: RE: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: Janie
Date: 27 May 09 - 11:06 PM

Aren't they lovely? They apparently occur nearly all over the world.

I've never seen a mass migration. Must be something.

Subject: BS: Invasion of Painted Ladies
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 27 May 09 - 10:15 PM

Waiting for them here in Co.Clare anytime now (it's been too damp today)!:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/may/26/wildlife-conservation?commentpage=1