not Monarchs this time !

[chanceychelsey]

I know this has nothing to do with Monarch's, but I just wanted to share that I have found a stash of Milbert's Tortoise Shell cat's on my stinging nettle. Guess I will have to try my hand at these guys too. It took me several days of investigation to track down what they were. I have never heard of them before !

[freda]

I just had one of those identified from my photo. I hadn't heard of them either but the contributors at Bug Guide are super. I'm actively trying to learn more about other butterflies in our area and it's difficult. Identification books are 'way too general regarding the area: "eastern" "western" "north american"....none of them address the butterflies we actually have in OUR garden. I can't find information on eggs, larvae or much else, except individually from contributors on Bug Guide. I can't find a forum such as we have here at Monarch Watch. I"m curious...where did you find your information to identify the eggs?

Freda

[chanceychelsey]

Hi Freda
Sorry for the delay. In this case I actually "google-d", "what caterpillar uses the stinging nettle as it's host plant", and continued on that line. It gave me a couple of suggestions and I just kept looking for information on those two types of butterflies. I use the internet a fair bit, trying different wordings and can usually find something.
Of the several caterpillars I found, only one went into a chrysalis and thus far (too long I think) has not come out. I guess that is why the Milbert's Tortoise Shell lay hundreds of eggs on one plant, not a good survival rate.

[Mona Miller]

I just had one of those identified from my photo. I hadn't heard of them either but the contributors at Bug Guide are super. I'm actively trying to learn more about other butterflies in our area and it's difficult. Identification books are 'way too general regarding the area: "eastern" "western" "north american"....none of them address the butterflies we actually have in OUR garden. I can't find information on eggs, larvae or much else, except individually from contributors on Bug Guide. I can't find a forum such as we have here at Monarch Watch. I"m curious...where did you find your information to identify the eggs?
Freda

Look thru this list, there are some good website for Canada:
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/links

http://www.coleoptera.org/p237.htm
Look thru this list for other lep. list serves.

And, you can check out yahoo groups. In the groups section, search on butterflies. There are loads of groups, many international.