Ironweed

Tall Ironweed (Vernonia altissima syn Vernonia gigantea) is a tough herbaceous plant common to meadows and fields gone fallow. With long straight stems, Ironweed can grow around 6 to 8 feet in height.

Purple blossoms festoon the tops of ironweed throughout late summer and the plants die back in the winter leaving tough hard stems. For smaller butterflies, these blooms are a great nectar source. These festive flowers can be found near the Frank Lloyd Wright Gingko Jurassic Garden in the Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove.

The genus Vernonia is named for 17th century English botanist William Vernon (?-1711) who did field work and collected plants in North America. The species name, 'altissima' means tall.

The butterfly feeding on the ironweed is a Gulf Fritillary.

Osmeterium

Swallowtail caterpillars have a defense mechanism called osmeterium. Osmeterium are a fleshy organ where caterpillars of swallowtail species sequester essential oils from their host plants, also known as terpenes. These oils coat the normally hidden osmeterium which can be everted or pushed out when the caterpillar is threatened. The osmetierium are usually a bright warning color like red, yellow or orange and because of the terpenes smell quite foul. Having to move swallowtail caterpillars to new host plants also means that butterfly growers get their share of osmeterium love as the caterpillars arch backwards wildly, smearing predators faces and keepers hands alike with gross smelling oils. Each species has its own unique odor based upon what plants the caterpillar has been eating.

The Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar shown in these photos has its osmeterium less than half everted, so when fully extended these osmeterium can be pretty showy. This black swallowtail caterpillar was harassed and photographed by the lovely Jill Staake.

Banded Sphinx Moth

This fabulously colored caterpillar is the incredibly color variable larva of the Banded Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha fasciata). These caterpillars come in brilliant green, pink and yellow, banded, and striped forms that often look nothing at all like each other. Often, two larva at the same point of development will look nothing whatsoever like each other and will often be thought to be separate species.

Banded Sphinx larvae are often found dining on the leaves of plants in the Primrose Willow family (Onagraceae). Especially fond of members of the wetland-growing genus Ludwigia which has 30 known species that are found in Florida. These caterpillars can be found both on Florida native species and non-native species such as Common Primrose Willow (Ludwigia peruviana). The larvae may also consume Fuscia (Fuchsia hybrida), Grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus) and even Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana).

Banded Sphinx moths breed continually in the Tampa Bay region excepting the coldest parts of winter. Larvae pupate in subterranean chambers and wiggle toward the surface before the eclose (hatch). The adult moths feed at night and nectar from flowers. Female moths emit a pheromone that males track to locate potential mates.

I’ll be raising this pretty little larva up to see is I can get some good pupa and moth photos. For scale, this caterpillars is longer than my index finger and measures 3 and 3/4 inches in length!

Female Io Moth

Jill and I discovered this female Io Moth hanging out in the shade structure this afternoon. She is possibly the female who laid the eggs we found a few days ago.

The striking eye-spots on the lower wings are a real treat, but you usually have to startle the moth so they will reveal their lower wings.

Thankfully, this pretty lady was terribly obliging and was kind enough to hang out while I mobbed her like the paparazzi. I didn't have a good photo of the pretty pink of the female Io Moth to include with the previous post, so this was fortuitous timing.

Toxic: Io Moths and the great fun of urticating hairs

The Io Moth (Automeris io) is one of several stinging caterpillars that can be found in Florida.

Io Moth eggs are white with a black spot and the young hatchling caterpillars are a brilliant orange color. The young caterpillars move in ‘trains’ along their host plants, feeding gregariously and following the leader. Older larvae lose their orange coloring and turn a brilliant green with lateral stripes of red with white below on each side. These older caterpillars strike out on their own to feed as their appetites increase and the larvae have to compete with each other for food.

This species is member of the Buck Moths and Io Moths (Hemileucinae)subfamily of the Silk Moth (Saturniidae) family. Caterpillars of the Hemileucinae subfamily have sharp, stinging hairs on their bodies called urticating hairs. Urticating hairs develop with each skin molt of the caterpillar. Each hair is a small hollow tube, sometimes with barbs, that is filled with an acrid fluid. These hairs are designed to break off the caterpillar body and lodge in a predator where the acrid fluid inside can enter the wound. The fluid can cause severe rash, irritation, swelling and allergic reactions to skin.

In short: You probably should never touch a brightly colored caterpillar that is covered with spines. This will likely result in a lot of pain and a possible trip to the doctor’s office for you. The caterpillar will forget you quickly and go on about its business of chewing leaves and looking for a nice spot to pupate.

The name of these urticating hairs derives from the Latin word for nettle, urtica. Many species of nettles and other stinging plants have urticating hairs that are very similar to those found on the Io Moth larvae.

Like other silkmoths, the adults of this species do not feed and instead survive upon nutrients they ingested as caterpillars. These moths display sexual dimorphism which means that males and females have different coloration. Male Io Moths are smaller in size and are generally yellow in color. Females are pink to brown and are larger in size so they can carry eggs.

Both sexes have a large eyespot on their hind wings. Eyespots are circular rings of color that look like a large eyeball. Sometimes called an ocellus, moths will flash this lower wing if they are disturbed by a predator. This large eye marking often serves to scare away would be predators by making them believe they have chosen prey that is larger than they can handle.

The Butterflies and Moths of North America website lists their host plants as: hackberry (Celtis), willow (Salix), mesquite (Prosopis), redbud (Cercis), currant (Ribes), blackberry (Rubus), and pear (Pyrus). I’m pretty sure I have also found them feeding on Coral Bean (a few large caterpillars could have just happened to be hanging out on the shrub at the same time, but that seems unlikely).

I am going to *very* carefully rear this batch of eggs so I can get some good photos of the bright green larvae. Perhaps these pictures (and the live larvae in the BioWorks Butterfly Garden window) can help save someone a spot of trouble on their next hike through the Florida woods. For my trouble, please know that the song ‘Toxic’ will be lodged in my head for the next few weeks.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) butterfly is a member of the Pieridae family of butterflies that also includes Whites. This species is mid-sized and has wings that range in color from lemon yellow to pale butter-cream yellow to a nearly sap green hue. This species is seasonally dimorphic which means that individual butterflies are know to have different coloration that change with seasons.

A wide-ranging species, the Cloudless Sulphur can be found from South America north into Southern Canada. They deposit their tiny white eggs on plants in the cassia family and the eggs mature to a pale orange color before hatching about six days later. The larvae are a brilliant green color with a long yellow horizontal stripe and groupings of black dots unless the caterpillars are dining on cassia flowers in the fall which turn the caterpillars bright yellow.

Cloudless Sulphurs are sexually dimorphic which means that males and females have different wing patterns and coloration. Males have upper wings that are clean yellow and have very few markings. Female adults have black edging on their wings and have larger markings on the undersides of their wings than males. Also, females tend to be paler in color and have wings that can appear pale yellow or close to white.

Male Cloudless Sulphurs are one of the butterflies that are more likely to be found ‘puddling’ or drinking from sand and mud to collect water that is laden with salts and minerals. These nutrients help the male butterflies replenish minerals and salts that are used up in the sperm package during mating.

Many sulphur butterflies are difficult to identify but the bold plain color of the Cloudless Sulphur makes it easier to pick out than other species.

The genus name Pheobis derives from the Greek word phiobos meaning "pure" or "radiant”. The species epithet of sennae refers to the host plants for the butterfly. Senna is a common name for species of cassia upon which these butterflies lay their eggs.

Cypress Vine

Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) is a member of the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. This fast growing vine sports diminutive star shaped flowers of a brilliant cardinal red hue. Cypress vine is a true annual and will die back completely in the winter. In the warm summer months this vine seems to leap from the ground and begin twining upward with its soft feathery foliage.

Cypress Vine is a native of Mexico but has begun to establish throughout the tropical regions of North America. Although non-native plants are generally discouraged, Dr Steve Christman of Floridata writes “Although cypress-vine is not native to North America, it has caused little concern among those who would protect us from exotic pest plants, probably because it does not appear to be replacing any native species or disrupting natural plant communities. It is, in my opinion, a welcome addition to our flora.”

Also known as Hummingbird Vine, this species sprouts from seed in about four days and is a fast climbing vine. When dotted with attractive scarlet flowers, Cypress Vine makes a nice seasonal addition to a topiary or hedge. The scarlet tubular flowers of the vine are described as being attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds.

The genus name Ipomoea derives from from the Greek ips or ipos (meaning wormweed or bindweed) and homoeos (meaning resembling, referring to the twining habit).

This vine is currently growing near the side entrance to the BioWorks Butterfly Garden and will be in bloom within a few more days.

Quit eating my citrus!

The Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) is a common sight throughout Florida as their host plants are abundant throughout the state. They start life as a tiny, spherical orange egg laid on the newest and freshest growth of their host plants. From that tiny egg emerges a caterpillars that is equal parts remarkable and unusual.

The caterpillars do all their best to look shiny, wet, mottled and well, a whole lot like bird poop. In the world of insects there are a few ways to avoid being eaten: don’t be seen at all, be toxic, look like something toxic, look big, or look like something your predator already ate and discarded. It seems that birds are perfectly disinterested in further study of something they have already gotten rid of. This tactic, along with hosting on what I like to call “Unfriendly plants” (you know, the ones that are covered in spines and thorns) helps these caterpillars remain among the living. The caterpillars also have a backup defense mechanism called osmeterium.

The adult butterflies are anywhere from 4 to 5.5 inches and wingspan and are bright yellow on their under-wings. The upper wings are a deep glossy black with a wide yellow stripe and they are pretty amazing to see.

Giant females will deposit their eggs on the new growth of several types of tree in the citrus family and a few other species that are closely related to citrus. If you have a young citrus tree in your yard look for eggs to appear on the young, fresh leaves. Giants will host on lemon, lime, tangerine, orange, and sour orange just to name a few. Because of their taste for citrus, Giant Swallowtails are considered a minor agricultural pest in the state of Florida. The larvae are unlikely to truly defoliate their host plants and tend to not be much of a problem. Giant Swallowtails also host on several Florida native trees that are closely related to citrus.

However, if you have a young citrus tree you may want to keep it free of larvae for the first few years to help the tree better develop. Love your citrus and the caterpillars at the same time? Thankfully there is more than one host plant for Giant Swallowtails. When Giant Swallowtails have their choice of host plants they seem to gravitate toward the native species before laying their eggs on citrus. Here are some plants you can add to you garden as alternate hosts for Giant Swallowtails.

Wild Lime (Zanthoxylum fagara) is also known as Cat’s Claw. The branches are covered in fine thorns that curve just like a cat claw. If you have ever had a run-in with a kitty, you probably know how uncomfortable those claws can be. Take care working around this plant as it tends to snag skin and clothing alike. However, as a Florida native it is well suited to our peculiar and temperamental climate and thrives in Tampa Bay gardens. In the MOSI gardens, Giant Swallowtails pass up nearby citrus and prefer to lay eggs on Wild Lime.

Wild Lime is so named for the lime-like scent given off by its leaves when they are crushed and wood from these trees is sought for use in furniture making. These shrubby trees can grow up to 20 feet in height and will often be nearly as broad as they are tall. Wild Lime prefers full sun and moist but well drained soils.

Hercules Club (Zanthoxylum clava- herculis) is another Florida native host. This tree has a spiky trunk and is often found in coastal areas. Ft. De Soto park has Hercules Club growing all over the site, including on top op the fort itself. Known also as Toothache Tree, a single leaf of Hercules Club when chewed and spit out can numb your entire mouth. That isn’t to say that it tastes great, because it certainly does not.

Hercules club can grow anywhere from 36 to 70 feet in height depending upon growing conditions. This tree prefers full sun and sandy soil types and are salt tolerant enough to be grown quite close to the coastline. The seeds of Hercules Club are also favored by many Florida Birds. This tree is native to most of peninsular Florida.

The common name of this tree drives from the club carried by the mythical hero Hercules. Hercules made the club from a large branch of a wild olive tree and it was said to be stronger than steel. The hero first used this club to kill the lion of Kitheron. Throughout the Roman and Medieval periods this club was often depicted with spikes representing the smaller olive branches that had been roughly stripped from the large bough.

Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a hearty herb that likes sun, heat and sandy soil. This plant is especially handy for a butterfly garden as it is a host for the Giant Swallowtail and also for the Eastern Black Swallowtail. Rue may be the only one of the Giant Swallowtail hosts not covered in spines, but it does have an unfriendly quality. Oil from the plant can cause contact dermatitis and blisters on the skin. If you work with or around this plant then wash your hands often with soap. Blisters only occur on people who are sensitive to the oil and only if you skin comes in contact with the oil and is then exposed to sunlight. The ultraviolet light in sunlight activates the skin irritating compounds in rue. (Photo credit: Jill Staake)

In the Medieval period Rue was known as the Herb of Grace and it is native to Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Rue has long been cultivated as a cooking herb and for uses in folk medicine however, the bitter taste of the herb has caused it to fall out of favor in modern times.

Rue is mentioned in the bible and throughout the literature of the Middle Ages. In Shakespeare's Richard II the gardener plants rue to mark the spot where the Queen wept when told of Richard’s capture. (III.4.104-105):

"Here did she fall a tear, here in this place

I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace."

Rue is also one of the flowers distributed by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet after she has gone mad. (IV.5):

"There's fennel for you, and columbines:

there's rue for you; and here's some for me:

we may call it herb-grace o' Sundays:

O you must wear your rue with a difference..."

Stop and Smell the Roses

In the Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove there stands the Juliette Gordon Low Magnolia. Founder of the Girl Scouts of America, Mrs. Low encouraged girls to prepare themselves not only for traditional homemaking roles, but also for possible future roles as professional women, in the arts, sciences and business, and for active citizenship outside the home.

The remarkable bloom of the rose has long been associated with love and beauty and in ancient times was a symbol connected with goddesses of many pantheons.

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As there seemed no better symbol for the progression into womanhood, we chose roses as the heart of this planting beneath the boughs of the magnolia tree. As a companion planting, chocolate mint was chosen for its low-growing and sprawling fragrant foliage that brings to mind thoughts of beloved Girl Scout cookies.

Today, for no reason except that they are lovely and fragrant and wonderful, let us celebrate the beauty of the rose.

These are the rose varieties that can be found in our Juliette Gordon Low Magnolia Rose Garden:

Neptune: a lavender blooming rose with a powerful, sweet rose scent.

Julia Child: a beautiful butter gold, yellow floribunda rose named for the famous French Chef.

Belinda's Dream: a shrub rose with large, fragrant and very double pink blossoms.

Sunsprite: a deep yellow cluster rose with long lasting color.

Blush Knockout Rose: a tough and hardy shrub type rose with outstanding disease resistance, blooms are light pink gradually changing to shell pink

Sunshine Knockout Rose: a lovely pale yellow hardy rose shrub with outstanding disease resistance and a lovely tea- rose fragrance.

Iceberg: a bright white cluster rose with a prolific flowering habit.

Home Run: a single red cluster rose.

Hot Cocoa: a brownish orange floribunda rose.

Sunstruck: a bright yellow-orange cluster rose.

Garden Party: a pastel pink rose right a darker pink petal edge.

Tropicana: a brilliant red-orange hybrid tea rose.

Red Spotted Purple

The Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) is so named for its iridescent purple-blue wings and brilliant red markings. This brush-footed butterfly is a mimic of the distasteful Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) and can be found throughout most of Florida.

Judging by the large numbers we have seen at MOSI this year, we are now fairly certain that we have a breeding population that is doing quite well! Adult butterflies have been observed in the canopy of the Back Woods Forest Preserve, the Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove and drinking from the mud of a retention pond.

Their larvae host on Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) and several other trees and shrubs such as wild cherry, apple (Malus spp.), pear (Pyrus spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum), and hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). The adult Red Spoted Purples, like many other brush-footed butterflies, are drawn to rotting fruit, moist earth and other food sources and are usually only found nectaring on common butterfly garden flowers like pentas and buddleia when those preferred food sources are scarce.

Taxonomic fun and polytypic species:

Genus Limenitis: The genus Limenitis includes over 25 species of butterflies commonly known as Admirals, many of which are located in Asia. The North American species of the genus are known as the Group Basilarchia. Limenitis is New Latin for “of harbours” and derives from an ancient Greek term for haven or harbour.

Species Arthemis, a polytypic species: The species arthemis is polytyic which is a species that has more than one recognized sub-species or variation. The name arthemis derives from the name of Artemis, Greek goddess of the wilderness and the hunt.

• American White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis) has distintive white banding on its wings and is sometimes also classified by the scientific name of (Limenitis camilla)
• Western American White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis rubrofasciata) has no blue spots on its inferior wings.
• Red-spotted Purple and Red Spotted Admiral (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) and (Limenitis arthemis arizonensis) both lack the distinctive white bands that mark the other members of the species.

Sub-species Astyanax: Astyanax (Greek for “King of the City”) was the son of Trojan prince Hector and his wife Andromache who is reported to have either been killed in the siege of Troy or alternately survived to found Messina in Sicily and also the line that led to Charlemagne.

If you would like more information on this complex of sub-species, here are some additional and highly technical resources. A recent project at Cornell University spent over a year working to untangle the history of these sub-species including where and why they diverged from a single species. Also, a 2008 article in the journal Evolution looked into the mimicry complex that exists for these mimic sub-species in relation to their model species, the Pipevine Swallowtail.

Photo credit: The great photos were snapped by Carolyn Rhodes of the Back Woods Forest Preserve.