I had decided to weed my vegetable and herb garden yesterday. As I approached the garden, I saw a Black Swallowtail trying to get into the garden but it was trapped behind the deer netting that I use for fence material. I lowered the fencing and it flew in and went right to the fennel. It was flittering around the fennel in an odd way, getting very close then darting back. I have never seen a butterfly act that way. I stood and watched it.
Suddenly it landed on the fennel and then its body curled inward then a half second later it flitted away. I saw it do it again then I realized it must be laying an egg. I looked at the spot where it was and saw one tiny yellow egg, the size of a period at the end of a sentence perhaps, perfectly round and it looked to be barely touching the delicate fennel frond.
I ran for the camera. The butterfly had gone, but shortly after it came back and I struggled to get a photo of it laying an egg. I saw it alight again and then found the egg. It left the garden again.
So, I saw it lay a total of three eggs, and I located all three.
Last year I had the pleasure of watching Black Swallowtail caterpillars in various stages eat the fennel at the peak of summer. I am thrilled to have watched this egg laying process. Here are the photos. I wish I put my finger in the photo as a reference for size. The egg is perhaps 1 mm in diameter.
(double click to enlarge)
Photos copyright ChristineMM, taken in Fairfield County, Connecticut on 5/27/11.
Egg 1
Egg 2
Laying Egg 3
Egg 3
The gorgeous fennel! I purchased this as a nursery seedling three years ago and it has overwintered each year. In its second year it stood eight feet tall. It's already almost three feet high!
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