Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus) are a migratory raptor who split their time between the southeastern US, and South America. They migrate to the Central Florida area by passing over (or sometimes around) the Gulf of Mexico. In the past, Johnny has been lucky enough to observe a large flock of […]
Author: Johnny
Johnny Butterflyseed Submits Polk County’s First Scrub Plum Herbarium Specimen in Almost 34 Years
The endangered Scrub Plum (prunus geniculata) is submitted by Johnny Butterflyseed to two Florida herbaria, the first for Polk County in a third of a century.
Endocarp Removal Process for Scrub Plum
Channel Lock pliers make the perfect tool for removing a Scrub Plum’s endocarp.
The Secret to Monarch Butterfly Farming
Johnny Butterflyseed has discovered the secret to Monarch Butterfly Farming! Fairies! That’s right, fairies! Fairies are sensitive little creatures that care very deeply about nature. More than just observers, fairy folk study, in wide-eyed wonder, the relationship between the things they see. They know which flower might feed an insect […]
Flower Fly Nectaring on Dahoon Holly in a Highlands County Florida Baygall
While Johnny was gathering Dahoon Holly (ilex cassine) in a Florida Baygall to give as specimens for the USF Atlas of Florida Plants herbarium, a Flower Fly (Ocyptamus Fascipennis) wandered in for nectar from the Dahoon’s tiny, white flowers. Less than 1cm long (closer to 7mm), he likes to play […]
Johnny Butterflyseed Submits Official 2020-2021 Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Tagging Data to MonarchWatch.org
Johnny Butterflyseed submitted the data for 2020-2021 Monarch Butterfly tagging on March 25th, 2021. The tagging kit was received from MonarchWatch.org in October, 2020 after the order was placed in the springtime. Johnny ordered 100 tags, and in the end 97 Monarchs were tagged, with three voided tags. The tags […]
White-tailed Deer Photographed Consuming Rare Florida Endemic Shrub Fruit, Scrub Plum (prunus geniculata), Captured as Part of Life Study
White-tailed deer likely play a pivotal role in seed dispersal of one of Florida’s endangered shrubs
Johnny Butterflyseed Designates Newly Acquired Baygall “Joyce’s Garden” as Largest Monarch Waystation and Butterfly Preserve on the Lake Wales Ridge within Highlands County Florida
On February 2nd, 2021, Johnny Butterflyseed, of Three Psilos, Inc., gained possession of a one-acre tract on the Lake Wales Ridge in Lake Placid, Florida. Dedicated as “The Joyce E. Anderson Memorial Butterfly Preserve and Monarch Waystation” or simply “Joyce’s Garden,” the site will also serve as Johnny Butterflyseed’s Endangered […]