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Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
 Posted - 10/02/2009 : 07:46:16
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I've put this in pests but I don't consider them pests as they do very little damage on a healthy tree and it is worth it to have the butterflies.
When I was looking at one of the citrus trees the other day I found two different swallowtail caterpillars on the same tree. The first one is a caterpillar of the Dainty or Dingy Swallowtail http://linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/papi/anactus.html
These two caterpillars below look so different from each other but are just different stages of the Orchard or Citrus Swallowtail.
http://linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/papi/aegeus.html
This one is the first instar or stage... its camouflage makes it look like a bird dropping
This big one is the last instar before it pupates
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld
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The Estate
head gardener
Australia
3676 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 08:04:35
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Hey cool critters Gail, 
My basic weeding rule: if they grow in rows they're flowers;
if they don't they're weeds.
Melbourne |
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Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 10:25:12
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Here's a couple more from today. Another slightly smaller Dainty swallowtail caterpillar
I wonder is this is the same one as the other day but grown up a bit more? It was near the same area.
This one is a little bit smaller than the other big green one
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
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Mary-Anne
garden sage
Australia
10809 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 11:06:24
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Interesting the different ones Gail.
I used to get the top ones on my Navelina Orange tree
I gave it to Daniel, I wonder if he gets them over his way.
Friends are the flowers in the garden of life
Love Your Enemies... It Will Drive Them Nuts |
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medburygardens
gardener
New Zealand
639 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 01:55:53
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The butterflies from them would be interesting also,you might have to get some butterfly photos now Gail.... please |
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Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 04:52:43
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There are plenty of butterflies around but they won't sit still long enough to take a photo  I'm glad I don't have close neighbours as last time I tried to take pics of butterflies I was jumping and running around the garden and generally looking like an idiot 
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
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Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 18/02/2009 : 07:54:27
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Here are a couple more at different stages. It's surprising how much they change
This one doesn't have spines
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
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The Estate
head gardener
Australia
3676 Posts |
Posted - 18/02/2009 : 07:59:51
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Mother Nature is a marvel at times Gail
My basic weeding rule: if they grow in rows they're flowers;
if they don't they're weeds.
Melbourne |
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pitta
head gardener
Australia
1209 Posts |
Posted - 18/02/2009 : 14:00:43
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When I grew citrus I used to get those bird droppings caterpillars in the hundreds.
They would just about strip the tree of leaves
If you want to live and thrive, let the spider run alive.
Gwen
Cooktown |
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Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 18/02/2009 : 18:56:35
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Plenty of leaves on these citrus trees so don't mind sharing a few for the sake of some pretty butterflies. Unless you look close you can't even see where they have been.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
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Two different swallowtail caterpillars