Gardening for Butterflies
Gardening for Butterflies
Because butterflies are attracted to flowers, it is easy to plant a garden that both you and they can enjoy. Some of the species you may attract are listed in the table at right. A butterfly-friendly garden contains both adult nectar plants and caterpillar host plants. A few common vegetables also serve as caterpillar host plants. Many butterfly gardeners plant extra vegetables, enough for them and their caterpillars. As an added bonus, butterfly gardens often attract hummingbirds.
A successful butterfly garden has several basic elements, listed below.
A sunny location
Since butterflies are cold blooded and need to be warm to fly and feed, you should plant your garden in a sunny area sheltered from the wind. Storms and windy days can batter a butterfly to bits. If there is no natural shelter, plant a windscreen such as butterfly bush or another flowering shrub that can provide both food and shelter.
Host and nectar plants
Choose the appropriate plants with a knowledge of butterflies common in your area, as well as their host and nectar plants. Caterpillars often restrict themselves to a single species of host plant or a single group of closely related plants. Caterpillar host plants of some common Pennsylvania butterflies are listed in the table at right.
Minimal or no pesticide use
Limit your use of insecticides and herbicides, if you use them at all. Insecticides kill beneficial insects as well as those considered a nuisance. Herbicides are damaging to butterflies because they may eliminate sources of food for caterpillars and may poison them. For these reasons, areas managed for butterfly conservation should have minimal or no pesticide or herbicide application.
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