Each June, people gather to count
the many species of butterflies. This
year, I did the count at my personal butterfly garden, June 2.
Why
count Butterflies? Butterflies react very quickly to change in their
environment which makes them excellent biodiversity indicators. Butterfly
declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses.
That’s why counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of
nature.
The count will also assist us in identifying trends in species that will
help us plan how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understand
the effect of climate change on wildlife.
How
do these beautiful creatures help us?
·
Pollination
Like many other winged insects, what
butterflies do for the environment that is perhaps most important is
pollinating plants. The diet of adult butterflies consists mostly of nectar
from flowers. While gathering nectar, the butterflies pick up pollen on their
feet and wings and transfer it to neighboring flowers and plants, continuing
the life cycle of many plants that other animals, like bees, depend on for
survival.
·
Eating
Aphids & Rotten Fruit
As caterpillars, some butterflies eat
aphids in addition to leaves, removing the destructive aphids and helping to
control their population. Some adult butterflies eat rotten fruit, helping to
break it down and assisting in the composting process.
In the
end, these beautiful creatures that live such short lives, contribute to
ecosystem restoration because they supply pollination and a source of food.
Increased butterfly populations may indicate an increase in plant diversity and
other pollinator groups within restored areas.
There is something magical about butterflies.
I have yet to meet a person in the garden that does not smile when one glides
by, landing on the nearest bloom. Butterflies are just one more living thing in
the garden that brings happiness to young and old alike.
Butterfly gardening is a great way
to get exercise, reduce stress, learn about the environment, and beautify your
home. Best of all, butterfly gardening can be as simple or as complex as you
want it to be.
Attracting Butterflies to Your
Garden
Regardless of how simple or complex
you decide to make your butterfly garden, the most important step is selecting
the right plants. There are two types of plants that will attract butterflies
to your garden, nectar plants and host plants. Nectar plants provide a source
of food for adult butterflies and host plants provide a place for adult
butterflies to lay eggs. When butterfly caterpillars hatch from the eggs the
host plant will also take on the role of being the caterpillar's food source.
In Florida, there are more than 180
species of butterflies. Each species of butterfly has their own nectar and host
plant requirements. To attract multiple species of butterflies, you will want
to grow an assortment of flowering plants and shrubs appropriate for the
butterflies living in your area. Try to choose plants and shrubs that have
different shape, size, and color flowers. Also you will want to choose plants
and shrubs that flower at different times of the year so that your garden will
attract butterflies spring, summer, and fall.
The key to creating a
butterfly garden that will sustain itself through the years is to take
advantage of native plant. Take advantage of what nature has created in your
specific area leads to fewer errors in the trial and error phase while creating
the perfect butterfly garden.
I moved to Florida 3
years ago, I have always had a passion for gardening, attracting butterflies
and humming birds.
I am the “Butterfly
Gardener” John Chestnut Sr Park. Last year I got both my personal garden and
the butterfly garden certified as Butterfly Sanctuaries. With guidance and
support from Lois Weber, a wonderful
butterfly gardener, educator, and member of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc, and
the other Pinellas County Volunteers.
The visitors I had during my count.
Viceroy
Monarch
Yellow Cloudless Sulfur
Checkered White
Gulf Fritillary
Dainty Sulfur
