Butterfly Gardening: Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden. The Butterfly Garden, Harvard Common Press, Boston, 1985. On a final note, it's important to conserve butterflies when possible since their habitat is constantly diminishing due to the increasing needs and consequent development of roads and housing. These gardens can also be extended to interest youth in nature, by providing a small window of native inhabitants of the local environment. This type of development is complete metamorphosis.īutterfly gardens are a great source for your own enjoyment, photo opportunities, or an outlet for artistic talent. Finally, an adult butterfly emerges, spreads its wings and flies away.
SMALL BUTTERFLY GARDEN DESIGN PLANS SKIN
Caterpillars must crawl out of their skin or molt, usually around five times, before changing into a pupa. A very tiny caterpillar emerges and, after consuming its egg shell, begins feeding on its host plant. All butterflies' antennae are club-shaped, as opposed to moths, which can be many shapes but often are feathery.īutterflies begin their life as an egg, laid either singly or in clusters depending on the species. Butterflies also have a very well-developed sense of smell from their antennae. They do not see "red" as well as we do, but they can see polarized light (which tells the direction the sun is pointing) as well as ultraviolet light, which is present on many flowers and guides them to nectar sources. Like most insects, butterflies are very nearsighted, and are more attracted to large stands of a particular flower than those planted singly. Butterflies have large, rounded compound eyes which allows them to see in all directions without turning their head. Larvae, on the other hand, have chewing mouth parts which they use to skeletonize or totally defoliate leaves. Butterflies get all their food from this tube, which limits them to nectar and standing water. Forcing blood into the tube straightens it out,allowing butterflies to feed on liquids. Butterfly AnatomyĪdult butterflies and moths have mouth parts shaped into a long, coiled tube. Overripe fruit, allowed to sit for a few days is a very attractive substance (to them!) as well. Permanent puddles are very easy to make by burying a bucket to the rim, filling it with gravel or sand, and then pouring in liquids such as stale beer, sweet drinks or water. Males of several species congregate at small rain pools, forming puddle clubs. It is a good idea to leave open areas in a yard for butterflies to sun themselves, as well as partly shady areas like trees or shrubs, so they can hide when it's cloudy or cool off if it is very hot.īutterflies also like puddles. Butterflies will readily bask in the sun when it is warm out, but few are seen on cloudy days. If caterpillars are eating excessive foliage from a prominent or desirable part of a plant, try moving them (with gloves on if they're hairy) to the backside or another less noticeable portion of the plant.Īll insects are cold-blooded and cannot internally regulate their body temperature. Other caterpillars, like sulphers, are camouflaged, or blend into their surroundings very well. Certain swallowtail caterpillars imitate snakes or bird droppings. It's better to be safe than sorry, so wear gloves when handling these larvae. Some caterpillars have hairs or forked spines, which may be or may not sting (often the hairs are just for show). A few specific examples of butterflies and their host plants are listed at the end of this fact sheet. Some females are pickier about which host to lay their eggs on than others. L-R: Purple Coneflower, Redbud, Rosemary, and Verbena Other AttractantsĪnother way to attract adult butterflies to your yard is to offer places (food plants) for females to lay their eggs. L-R: Goldenrod, Marigold, Oxeye Daisies, and Hibiscus L-R: Lilac, Coreopsis, Lavender, and Butterfly Bush L-R: Aster, Black-Eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed, and Daylilies Some varieties of flowers which are easy to find and grow in Kentucky, and will be attractive to many species of butterflies include: Groups of the same plants will be easier for butterflies to see than singly planted flowers. Try staggering wild and cultivated plants, as well as blooming times of the day and year. A wide variety of food plants will give the greatest diversity of visitors. University of Kentucky College of Agricultureĭifferent species of butterflies have different preferences of nectar, in both colors and tastes.
SMALL BUTTERFLY GARDEN DESIGN PLANS HOW TO
ENTFACT-006: How To Make Butterfly Gardens | Download PDF by Stephanie Bailey, Extension Specialist
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