I found out the secret to raising Atala butterflys

[bcbud]

you have to prune the coontie plant so that new growth grows. They are very picky and only lay eggs on fresh new growth. You prune by snapping the stems near the base where the stem flairs out a bit. You need to pull or snap it off where it attaches to the bulb

[laurel]

Very interesting! Thanks for the info. I had an atala float through my backyard the other day and I decided I'd like to plant some coonties for them. Nearby there is a nature center with many atala larvae on the coonties in their butterfly garden. I'll keep your post in mind.