I found almost 10 of these on my lemon tree just today! I thought these were moths and almost took them all off. The red horns and smell made me decide to search them up! So glad I did!
Will a citrus tree like a Meyer Lemon tree be a good host plant or would the Wild Lime tree be superior? Having a thornless substitute that also produces edible fruit would be my preference if they are just as good.
Oh a lemon tree works wonders. Yes. You’re absolutely correct. The thorns on the wild lime are quite terrible. Only trick with citrus is that they require brand new growth. If your tree is not flushing new growth you won’t get eggs
I am up in the Florida Panhandle, and I have FIVE - Giant Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillars in a bucket. I’ve fed them branches from the Citrus Tree in the front lawn. And of the FIVE, three have begun the transformation, two are on their way I’m sure. So EXCITING to see in this video, EVERYTHING I have witnessed in “the bucket.” I’m planning to make a tomato cage with screening to leave them to begin the NEXT generation of Giant Swallowtail Butterflies 🦋🦋🦋
We have them here in California too. I’ve seen swarms of them laying eggs on the local citrus plants. Butterflies lay eggs wherever they can find host plants. Found one on my grandma’s navel orange tree. It was munching away at some leaves and I rescued it from the cruel dangers of the outside. It’s already in the fifth instar stage and I am gonna let it pupate and hatch into a butterfly. What season do we expect to see them? It’s June right now and our orange tree is producing bulbs along with our grapefruit and lime tree. When is the best time to harvest their eggs or collect the larvae?
Good questions. I like to let them on living plant as long as I can. Maybe it’s because I’m lazy!!!! 😁 OR You could collect eggs, and bring them in and raise them on cuttings until they get to 3rd instar and then put them out in living plant… that way you avoid much of the predators that eat small larvae. Kind of up to you on how you want to go about it
This is really cool. Just planted a mandarin and orange tree about a month ago. Saw this bird poo and little orange egg-looking things on my mandarin. I knew it was some kind of pest. Was pleasantly surprised to do research and find out this 'bird poo' were caterpillars evolved to look like poo. That's just crazy! One question though. Why are tiny black ants munching on the leftover leaves the cat didn't get to? Will that be harmful to the tree? Maybe if I get an infestation will it be?
What a great discovery that is!? If you are in Florida, a little black ants are probably white footed ants. They are a pain in my butt! Trying to control them is not easy. They do not respond to the normal ant baits.
@@watchyourlip3209 No wonder it's called giant. I mean, if you really hold them, it's like holding a football or a hockey puck. I'm a butterfly phobic tho.
I have two hatched on my front porch right now. Two are in cocoons as well. I found them on our Ponderosa Lemon tree, which is pretty ironic how the largest butterfly in North America laid her eggs on the largest lemon tree in the world. I think I’ll name them the “Ponderosa Four”. 🤣🤣 Only problem is, it’s raining right now, so the two hatched are just vibing on the screen of the front porch while waiting for the rain to stop for them to be released into their new environment in my neighborhood, ironically the two that hatched are male and female. They do not mate with each other when it comes to siblings I am aware of that. I knew they cocooned last week and was shocked to find them hatching this morning on my out for work. They hatched faster than my moth did last year!
I found almost 10 of these on my lemon tree just today! I thought these were moths and almost took them all off. The red horns and smell made me decide to search them up! So glad I did!
Haha. Common mistake. Glad you looked it up
Very cool Giant butterfly
Thanks
@@keysmoths5336 your welcome
I planted a small Wild Lime and it’s finally big enough and today saw a Giant lay eggs .. very excited
Great news. They will keep on finding it!!! Glad it’s working out for you
thanks for putting this great video together on Giant Swallowtail butterflies.
You are very welcome!!!!
Great job, thanks for the info 👍
Gracias hermano
As usual very informative , thanks dave
You’re very welcome!!! Glad you enjoy!!
Will a citrus tree like a Meyer Lemon tree be a good host plant or would the Wild Lime tree be superior? Having a thornless substitute that also produces edible fruit would be my preference if they are just as good.
Oh a lemon tree works wonders. Yes. You’re absolutely correct. The thorns on the wild lime are quite terrible. Only trick with citrus is that they require brand new growth. If your tree is not flushing new growth you won’t get eggs
I saw this beautiful butterfly here in Oxnard California is so beautiful
They are so amazing!
The giant swallowtail is my favourite Butterfly and it’s big
Great video ... thank you 🙏🏻
You’re very welcome
I am up in the Florida Panhandle, and I have FIVE - Giant Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillars in a bucket. I’ve fed them branches from the Citrus Tree in the front lawn. And of the FIVE, three have begun the transformation, two are on their way I’m sure. So EXCITING to see in this video, EVERYTHING I have witnessed in “the bucket.” I’m planning to make a tomato cage with screening to leave them to begin the NEXT generation of Giant Swallowtail Butterflies 🦋🦋🦋
hi there. Im so glad you had a good experience raising butterflies! They are amazing for sure! Thanks so much for watching! I appreciate the support
Was lucky to find two giant swallowtail chrysalis’s in my kumquat tree today! Hopefully they hatch soon 🥰
Very cool! I’m sure they will do fine!!!!
We have them here in California too. I’ve seen swarms of them laying eggs on the local citrus plants. Butterflies lay eggs wherever they can find host plants. Found one on my grandma’s navel orange tree. It was munching away at some leaves and I rescued it from the cruel dangers of the outside. It’s already in the fifth instar stage and I am gonna let it pupate and hatch into a butterfly. What season do we expect to see them? It’s June right now and our orange tree is producing bulbs along with our grapefruit and lime tree. When is the best time to harvest their eggs or collect the larvae?
Good questions. I like to let them on living plant as long as I can. Maybe it’s because I’m lazy!!!! 😁
OR
You could collect eggs, and bring them in and raise them on cuttings until they get to 3rd instar and then put them out in living plant… that way you avoid much of the predators that eat small larvae.
Kind of up to you on how you want to go about it
This is really cool. Just planted a mandarin and orange tree about a month ago. Saw this bird poo and little orange egg-looking things on my mandarin. I knew it was some kind of pest. Was pleasantly surprised to do research and find out this 'bird poo' were caterpillars evolved to look like poo. That's just crazy!
One question though. Why are tiny black ants munching on the leftover leaves the cat didn't get to? Will that be harmful to the tree? Maybe if I get an infestation will it be?
What a great discovery that is!? If you are in Florida, a little black ants are probably white footed ants. They are a pain in my butt! Trying to control them is not easy. They do not respond to the normal ant baits.
Such a gorgeous butterfly! Here in the northwest we have papillo rumiko, a cousin of the giant swallowtail! Nice vid as always.
It’s cool to see the variation across regions for sure
@Karl M well, it is an insect. Still the largest butterfly in the area.
@@watchyourlip3209 No wonder it's called giant. I mean, if you really hold them, it's like holding a football or a hockey puck. I'm a butterfly phobic tho.
@@keysmoths5336 Can you do Canadian Swallowtails next?
I have two hatched on my front porch right now. Two are in cocoons as well. I found them on our Ponderosa Lemon tree, which is pretty ironic how the largest butterfly in North America laid her eggs on the largest lemon tree in the world. I think I’ll name them the “Ponderosa Four”. 🤣🤣
Only problem is, it’s raining right now, so the two hatched are just vibing on the screen of the front porch while waiting for the rain to stop for them to be released into their new environment in my neighborhood, ironically the two that hatched are male and female. They do not mate with each other when it comes to siblings I am aware of that. I knew they cocooned last week and was shocked to find them hatching this morning on my out for work. They hatched faster than my moth did last year!
Fantastic! They sure do love lemon! I’m thinking about getting one myself
I have these caterpillars eating my lemon trees. I love my lemon tree, but these little guys are so interesting!
Oh yeah. Lemon trees and giant swallowtails go hand in hand!!! Don’t worry. That tree will be just fine!!!
I live in Englewood fla will I get it I do have some butterfly
Fantastic. Yes. You will get this one tgere
Have you ever heard of the Goat Leafwing butterfly and the mourning cloak butterfly
Hi there. Absolutely. I’ve heard of both species
Giants aren't only in South FL. Get them in Pinellas too! OFTEN
Nice!!! They actually can be found across the entire United States and even into Canada - they also range down through Central America as well
Oh! The Florida Female Tiger Swallowtail is bigger than the largest female Giant Swallowtail.
It's like the heraclides thoas
Yes. Very similar
They feast on my kumquat trees. I have a love-hate for this one.
I know the feeling!
@@keysmoths5336 Have you heard of the Canadian Swallowtail?