Saturday 29 March 2008

The Caterpillars

Since hatching began on the 17th and 18th March, I can't find any! There is negligible damage to the citrus and new shoots are not being touched!

I suspect the heat wave we had during the period Papilio anactus laid and the eggs hatching is responsible for such mortality. I don't believe any natural predation to be the sole cause of their disappearance.

It's possible Papilio anactus could still be active until May, but I doubt there will be another breeding event in my garden this year.

2 comments:

Boobook said...

Hi Junior
I'm enjoying your blogs. Keep them coming.
Boobook

Junior Lepid said...

Hello boobook and welcome.

I've just been to your site and will add a link.

That dust storm last Wednesday was a doozy and my northerly and easterly windows match yours! I'm on tank water here and so far, there's still plenty, so I have no excuse!

Thank you for your comments. There was not much activity for a couple of days after the dust storm, but the last few days have seen insects returning to my garden.