Observation date: June 11, 2019
Date notes: First sighting June 11, 2019 and every day observation to date
Submitted by: JC’s Garden
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: On the evening of June 11, 2019 I observed an Atala butterfly flying around and landing on the Coontie. After a few days there were numerous caterpillars eating the leaves. Then on June 18 I noticed what appeared to be eggson the plant, the morning of June 20the eggs had hatched. That same morning I observed a couple of the first caterpillars weaving silk threads. There are now numerouscaterpillers in various stages of growth from the eggs layed on various days. The first caterpillars have not become butterflies as yet. There are at least 8-10 I am watching. The weather has been very hot and humid with lots of sun during the observation period
Status: Temporary Colonist
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: June 30, 2019
Coordinator notes: This species may be expanding its range northward along the east coast of Florida following the widespread planting of coontie in landscape situations
