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Orange Tip butterfly

JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
in The potting shed
Sorry not really gardening, but much excitement in our house this morning as the caterpillar the kids kept last autumn has emerged as a butterfly today. We brought him in from the shed a few days ago. Hope he’s not going to be too shocked to learn there is no central heating outside  :#



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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    It's more real gardening than all those posts about pesticides and herbicides. :) Lovely 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,277
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • pbffpbff Posts: 433
    edited April 2018
    How lovely - I used to love raising butterflies and moths when I was a child.
    There's nothing better!
     :smiley:
    🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    edited April 2018
    Lovely! I used to raise butterflies as a child as well. Haven't seen any so far this year but am hoping next week's warm sunny weather will bring them out....
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    Its the first time Ive ever seen one go from chrysalis to butterfly. Used to keep them as a child, but dont remember ever keeping them all the way through. Amazing to watch.
    The kids were so excited this morning, I just have a slight fear its going to be the only orange tip in the country when we let him go later!
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Jellyfire said:
     I just have a slight fear its going to be the only orange tip in the country when we let him go later!
    They're well behind aren't they. Haven't even seen a Brimstone! Though a Comma did flutter weakly through ...
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Only seen small tortoiseshells so far, never seen a orangetip up here, not sure if they come this far north. I too remember keeping many caterpillars as a child, I don't think any survived to adulthood!
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    There have been very few sightings so far, but it is expected to get warmer soon so they should start emerging before long.

    https://gardenbutterflysurvey.org/statistics_for_year.php?year=2018 

    They do occur a long way north.

    https://butterfly-conservation.org/679-606/orange-tip.html
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    So special!  The look of wonder in your lad's face has made me a little damp around the gills ... I bet he never forgets seeing that  :)

    Another reason not to pull the Jack by the Hedge (Alliaria petiolata) up when it appears in our gardens.  <3

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    They were so excited, definitely a worthwhile exercise. Much like the wildflower discussion yesterday I think kids get so much more engaged when they are involved in a hands on way
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