The Common Buckeye is a southern butterfly that migrates north in favorable years. If their team's scouts arrive early enough in the summer, they will lay eggs and their offspring will infiltrate new territories, until fall's chill. This is strictly a warm weather warrior.
Photo by Jackie Riley
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This year has been awesome for Buckeyes. In fact, we have had an absolute infestation of them. Look about the knee high grasses for these spiny-yet-attractive black, blue and orange (whoops, wrong colors there!) caterpillars on plantains or buckhorns. However, if you are a big fan of chem-lawn and strive to keep your "weeds" controled, you won't be seeing any of these fascinating critters.
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Photo by Jackie Riley
Photo by Jackie Riley...
Their caterpillar also enjoy feeding on plants related to snapdragons. These used to be considered part of the Scrophulariaceae, but genetic testing has proven they are more likely related to Plantaginaceae- the family which includes buckhorn and plantains.
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That may be news to us, but I bet the Buckeyes knew all along!
Slender Foxglove, Agalinis tenuifolia
Slender Foxglove, Agalinis tenuifolia ...
These lovely members of the Geradia (now called Agalinis) genus often host Buckeye caterpillars. One has to admire a butterfly with both good looks and excellent taste in flora.
Photo by Paula Harper
Photo by Paula Harper
Photo by Paula Harper...
Occasionally, you'll find them perched on a flower head, but you can bet they will not be sharing it. Buckeyes are extremely pugnacious and generally protect their territory with a vengeance. More often you'll find them on open ground, darting about the gravel and dirt.
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Man, beast or butterfly shall not enter their domain without a provoking a warning flight from the spotted one.
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Photo by Paula Harper...
Is it any wonder they named a football team after them?
Look closely at the spines on his legs. Are these to inflect damage to predators, or is there another purpose? Just like a true warrior- he will dispatch the enemy!
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Behold the Buckeye: fearless insect fit for battle... until the weather turns cold.
Behold the Buckeye: fearless insect fit for battle... until the weather turns cold.
I had known this butterfly before, but just became aware of its caterpillar this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd when I did so, it stopped me dead in my tracks!
The ground was covered with them--probably 50 or more in a small patch of lawn. As you know, feeding on plantain.
No ChemLawn here! And we held off on mowing--just to be sure the world had a few more Buckeyes!
Yes, it is amazing! Until one realizes how many little plants in the grass are butterfly host plants, you can't appreciate how many are being killed by needless mowing.
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