American Lady caterpillars

[Emmayct at cs.com]

Every year when I visit a local nursery, I notice American Ladies 
ovipositing on Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice plant). This year I bought a plant and 
put it in the butterfly garden. A few weeks ago I noticed a couple of 
leaves that were drawn together and inside  was an American Lady cat. Since I had 
never had luck before by bringing them in to raise, I left them there.  
Well, the other day, I was trimming back the Licorice plant and found two 
fairly large caterpillars and brought them in to raise. They are just beautiful, 
and so far so good. They seem to be night feeders, moving up in the cuttings 
at dark, and staying in the nest during the day. 

So, I wholeheartedly recommend this plant addition to your butterfly 
gardens.  It's so easy to grow.

Maryann</HTML>