Butterfly GardeningWritten and Presented by: Cathy LeVahnAnoka County Master Gardener, Minnesota Tree Care Advisor

IntroductionBehaviors to WatchCreating a Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Gardening

Wildlife habitat is being destroyed◦ Commercial development◦ Residential development

Butterfly gardening encourages habitat restoration

Introduction

Minnesota – 200 speciesAdult lifespan – 2 weeksSeveral generations each season

Some hibernate, others migrate

Introduction

Freedigitalphotos.net

Provides host plant for larval growth and adult feeding

Uses native and horticultural cultivars of annuals and perennials◦ Sip nectar◦ Lay eggs◦ Source of food

Butterfly Gardening Can Be Easy!

Encourages the establishment of butterfly populations

Butterflies return year after year

Environmental stewardshipPersonal enjoyment!

Why?

The insect order Lepidoptera consists of butterflies and moths ◦ Butterflies – 8% of species◦ Moths – 92% of species

Butterfly or Moth?

Butterflies are brightly colored◦ Advertises distastefulness to

predators◦ Females look for noxious host

plants to lay their eggs◦ Distasteful to birds

Butterfly or Moth?

Peacock Butterfly photograph by Leon Truscott

Moths are dully coloredLack functional mouth parts

Highly palatable to birds

Most are active after dusk

Butterfly or Moth?

US Forest Service

Key DistinctionsAntennae

                                                                                           

                                               

clubbed(Nymphalidae:

Monarch butterfly)

plumose(Saturniidae: Luna moth)

slender(Sphingidae: Sphinx moth)

Key DistinctionsBody

                            

                                    

                              

                                    

slender, smooth(Pieridae: Sulphur

butterfly)

thick, furry(Arctiidae: Tiger

moth)

Key DistinctionsWings at rest

                                                                                  

                                                        

usually held upright

(Lycaenidae: Hairstreak butterfly)

held flat(Noctuidae: Underwing

moth)

rooflike(Geometridae:

Goat moth)

Key DistinctionsTransformational stage

                

           

                      

                       

butterfly: chrysalis

moth: pupa naked or cocoon

Black Swallowtail

www.genehanson.com

Spicebush Swallowtail

www.genehanson.com

Checkered White

www.genehanson.com

Small Copper

www.genehanson.com

Variegated Fritillary

birdsbeesandbutterflies.com

Great Spangled Fritillary

www.simplybutterflies.com

American Copper

www.simplybutterflies.com

American Painted Lady

New Mexico State University

Monarch

Texas Parks and Wildlife

Checkered Skipper

www.genehanson.com

Red Admiral

Discover butterflies.com

Behaviors to Watch

Feeding◦ Use flower nector as primary

food source◦ Required for energy/flight

bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au

Behaviors to Watch

Feeding◦ Some suggested nectar plants

for adult butterflies :

Blueberries (Vaccinium)

bartlettsblueberryfarm.com

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

Photographer: Marie

Lilac (Syringa)

www.mountainspringscentre

Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Impatiens (Impatiens)

M. Myers

Marigolds (Tagetes)

Gardening Paradise

Phlox (Paniculata)

GardenWeb.com

Sunflower (Helianthus)

gpenviro@boreal.org

Aster (Aster)

Ark Master Gardeners

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Photograph by G. Fauske

Sedum (Sedum)

DailyEncouragement.net

Behaviors to Watch

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Basking◦ Butterflies are cold-blooded◦ They fly best when air

temperatures range from 75-90º

◦ Basks in sun to warm up

Behaviors to Watch

Puddling◦ Congregate at wet edge of mud

puddles or wet sandy areas ◦ Fluids rich in salts and

nutrients ◦ Required to mate successfully

www.learner.org/

Behaviors to Watch

Patrolling and Perching◦ Males search out females for

mating◦ Fly over areas where females

are laying eggs◦ Perch on tall plants for lookout

Photo by Alice Russell

Behaviors to Watch

Mating◦ Flight patterns differ in

courtship◦ Males fly behind female◦ Flutter wings more than usual

aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu

Behaviors to Watch

Egg Laying◦ Female flying over plants◦ Touches down quickly◦ May drum on leaf surface with

feet

aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Host Plants◦ Group flowers of similar color

together◦ Select nectar producing plants◦ Provide flowers that bloom

throughout season◦ More active mid to late

summer

Cathy LeVahn

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Host Plants (continued)◦ Supplement with home-made

feeders◦ Must provide for caterpillars

Milkweed Butterfly weed Dill Parsley Nettles

USDA Forest Service

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Habitat◦Shelter (protection)

Lay eggs Predators Wind

◦Don’t plant near birdhouses or feeders

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Habitat◦Water Source

Wet Sand Mud Puddle

i.ehow.com

picasaweb.google.com

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Eliminate the use of pesticides◦Kills larvae and

butterflies◦Kills beneficial insects◦Kills birds

Use oils, soaps and microbial insecticides only if necessary

Cathy LeVahn

Cathy LeVahn

Enjoy

References: Butterfly Gardening

Vera Krischikis an assistant professor, Department of Entomology and an extension specialist, Minnesota Extension Service. She is also the director of the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability, University of Minnesota

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies, Pyle

References - LinksReferences - Links

Butterfly Gardening; Krischik, Verahttp://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6711.html

Tall Garden Phlox for Minnesota Gardens; Brown, Debhttp://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1119.html

Sunflowers; MacKenzie, Jillhttp://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h118sunflowers.html