I visited the zoo last summer where a delightful butterfly garden was on display. Although the signs cautioned us not to touch the butterflies, the temptation was too great for some of the visitors. What will happen to those butterflies?
Once butterflies reach the adult stage, their days are numbered, some only living for ten days or so. Touching the fragile wings may damage them and prevent the butterfly from feeding and laying eggs. Globally, the butterfly population is decreasing daily because we are eliminating their native habitats of large fields and meadows. Also, we are using pesticides in our gardens, which destroys the butterfly in its immature caterpillar stage.
The good news is local efforts have been launched to re-introduce butterfly populations and to provide sanctuary for them. Exhibits like the one at your zoo educate people, especially the younger generation, about the fragility of these creatures and their ecosystem. We can only hope that for every butterfly touched last summer, another was given sanctuary in a native butterfly garden created by someone inspired by the zoo display.
Following is a short list of some of the most commonly found butterfly species and the nectar plants which attract them.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail-The swallowtails epitomize the beauty, grace and vibrant color you'd expect in a butterfly. Their large size make them easy to spot in any garden. Nectar Plants: Lilac (Syringa sp), butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.), thistle (Echinops), bee balm (Monarda sp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera), phlox (Phlox sp), lantana (lantana), hibiscus (Hisbiscus sp.), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia).
Painted Lady-The most widely distributed butterfly in the world, this beauty is particularly attracted to gardens. It is also known for periodic migrations. Nectar Plants: Many including Thistle, Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium sp.), gayfeather (Liatris sp.), mexican sunflower (Titonia rotundifolia), golden rod (Solidage sop), butterfly bush, bee balm, sedum (Sedum spectabile), privet ( Ligustrum amurense), pincushion flower, phlox.
Monarch-The best known and probably most popular of all butterflies, Monarchs are also the most migratory, sometimes traveling thousands of miles. Monarchs primarily use milkweeds (Asclepias sp), as food plants, incorporating toxic substances from the plant in order to become distasteful to predators.
Nectar Plants: Milkweed (Asclepias sp), butterfly bush, aster, goldenrod (Solidago sp), Joy-pye weed, lantana (Lantana sp.), pentas (pentas sp), Zinnias (Zinnia elegans.)
