This morning I found this little guy - butterfly or moth - in the leaf of my canna plant. An intact cocoon still tucked into the furl of the leaf below. Probably what's been munching on the canna and hibiscus leaves.
Actually in this first shot it looked more like a grasshopper to me.
See the cocoon below (lighter green-grey) and the sticky white stuff,
like spider webs?
I photographed it as he was climbing out of the canna leaf ...
Hi there ........:)
I guess it wasn't too happy with me sticking the camera lens in his buggy eyes. It flew off ....
..... onto the hibiscus leaves, startling me as it flew off.
I have never seen the likes of him in my garden before, so I was just wondering, is it a butterfly or moth or something else entirely?
Well, since you are all here, let me show you around!
Here are a few shots of my pretties in bloom today.
Blackberry lily
Pink Hibiscus (Confederate Hibiscus or Moschus Malva)
Yesterday it had all deep hot pink flowers, today it has a mix of pink and a hot pink.
I always try to remember to shake off any bugs or ants on the blooms, before I photograph them - well, as you can see, I forgot. The hazards of organic gardening.
Here is one of hundreds of little lizards in my garden.
Sunning itself on my garden arch.
One of the wild lantanas and wild asparagus ferns next to a stone we dug up.
The devils trumpet liked the recent rains, I noticed lots of new buds.
I think it is a real stunner and I can tell it likes it's new pot.
I love geraniums and this hot pink, almost red variety is such a happy fiesta color,
it makes me smile.
This beautiful white crepe myrtle has the loveliest scent.
Told ya, there are tons of lizards - everywhere.
The sweet potato vines are taking over .........
Marigolds are a must have, if you have a veggie garden, they keep the nematodes away from the tomatoes and lettuce.
Besides, they look so cheerful. Self seeded, a gift from my garden to me.
Look - The bud on the extreme left about to open,
will be another cool looking bloom,
they have like miniature tubes/funnels that open up in a daisy shape.
A shot of today's plain bright red, tropical Hibiscus flower.
The canna is still doing fine in this photo from this morning, but now a few hours later it is drooping in the heat, the buds almost falling off already.
Probably time to water too and maybe fertilize, to give it back some strength, since something is munching on it's pretty leaves.
So do you know what my garden visitor may be?
Thanks for looking my gather friends and
everyone who enjoys my garden posts!
All images © 2009 Rose H.
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Comments: 37
Great pics. Love the lizards
it's a moth.... Differences between a butterfly and a moth
Nancy, thanks - I looked - good information. Actually helped me identify some of my other creepy crawlies.
I love wiki, I'm glad it helped ;)
I'm not sure he is the one doing all that damage to your cannas, Rose. Look inside a leaf that is sticky shut and you will find the ugliest worm or worms...hard to get rid of without sevin dust, and they eat so much of the plant. I have never seen them morph into anything else either. They are kreepy kritters
Penni - You could be right, if it is a worm then I'll just get rid of him. I don't do chemicals in my garden. Maybe it is a plant specific worm.
yes, they are plant specific, Rose. I don't do chemicals either, which is why I dug all of mine up when they got infested two seasons in a row. had to use sevins on customer's plants when I had a lawn care service.
Pretty flowers and visitors to your garden. It looks like a moth, a pretty one at that.
You're an amazing photographer indeed, dear Rose... as always, breathtaking! :-)
Blessings and best wishes - S.
Svetlana - spasibo:) I appreciate your comments and your visits!
Delightful photos Rose. I can't help identify your visitor though.
Thanks so much for sharing with my group.
You have some fabulous flowers in your garden, beautiful shots.
A great photo essay of your creepy crawlies and blooms ,Rose.
Stunning photos!
And my guess is it's a moth. I was always taught if they have "feathery" antennae they are moths.
You got some amazing shots, like always! :)
its not a butterfly and its not a moth.. Its a skipper
beautiful photos
Oh and its a girl :) looks like she's look for a good place to lay her eggs so the caterpillars can munch up your flowers
Thanks, Angela - I was hoping you might stop by and have an answer.
It's a skipper.
Beautiful photos!
We adore your photo essays, Rose. Always so striking and interesting. We are featuring this one today at Home Comfort
Natalie - THANK YOU, I appreciate it. I always enjoy having a look around in your group - wonderful photos and posts, a joy to explore.
Gorgeous photos, as always. The cocoon is most like a bad worm that will eat your canna leaves.
Thank you for posting your photo ssay at Pretty Pictures.
I forgot to tell you, rose... My white and also the salmon crepe myrtles came out in full bloom as usual, but a tree given to me by a friend to replant on earth day just bloomed, and it is glorious Red!! yay!
I've never seen a real red, only the hot pink ones. Go ahead post a pictur for us to enjoy it too. We have two white ones, one lavender and two deep hot pink ones.
We have these on the Mimosa tree most years...saw one just yesterday...looks like folks are saying it's a skipper...which must be in the same family of butterfly and moth...will have to research it of course...I always thought it was a butterfly when I saw it...
FANTASTIC photos as always Rose
Here's a link about the different butterfly families : The Six Butterfly Families
which I found to be very interesting...
Katherine - that was easy to understand. I will print it out for future reference. Great find.
I'd never heard of a skipper before. I think we gat all six kinds in our garden.
I vote moth. I love that Devil's Trumpet-I've never seen anything like that.
Aw, your visitor is probably a 'newborn' in that moth-stage of his... there's something really cute about the third photo! He loos so inquisitive.
Wow, those are gorgeous flowers, and the moth is kind of cute too. I love all shades of purple, so i bet you can tell which is my favorite!!
you have a wonderful garden. such lovely flowers. i love the 3rd shot of your new "friend"!! i don't know what he is but he photographs well. lol :)
Moth. Beautiful garden photos as always!
I have the same lizards in my yard & hibiscus plants too. I like the devil trumpet flower.