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
Aster (Aster)
Ark Master Gardeners
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Photograph by G. Fauske
Sedum (Sedum)
DailyEncouragement.net
Behaviors to Watch
static.flickr.com
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
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