Category:
All
There are about 760 butterfly species in America and about 100 can be found in our state. Butterflies have often been described as one of nature’s most beautiful and intriguing insects. The fascinating transformation from caterpillar to butterfly can occur, with just a small amount of work right on your own balcony, patio, or in your backyard. You can create a special garden around your home for butterflies. A good butterfly habitat must provide food, water, shelter, and a place to reproduce. To be successful please try these simple guidelines:
- Locate the garden in a sunny area. Butterflies are cold-blooded and prefer warm sunny areas, as do most of the flowering plants they feed on.
- Plant nectar producing flowers, most butterflies found in Florida feed on flower nectar. Butterflies are generally attracted to brightly colored simple flowers.
- Plant flowers in large groups with a variety of plants, to attract a greater variety of butterflies.
- Provide host plants for the larva (caterpillar) to feed on. The milkweed will attract the monarch butterfly, and plants such as the passion flower can be host to many different butterflies one of these is our state butterfly, the yellow and black zebra longwing. You also must remember that these plants ultimately will be chewed when you are successful.
- Please avoid the use of chemicals that will be harmful to caterpillars and butterflies. Adult butterflies also need water, so a good butterfly garden will provide a proper place to drink.
