Bring on the Butterflies!

Pictured above: Black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) on ironweed (Vernonia sp.) by Emily Bell

Butterflies are perhaps the most universally loved insect — their beauty and grace captivates us and their presence brings us joy. Ecologically, butterflies are also incredibly important! Perhaps most well known as pollinators, they are actually quite inefficient at this task. Unlike bees, they don’t tend to seek out pollen or have any specialized features for pollination. Despite this, they can’t be discounted as critical to plant pollination. Butterflies are abundant in a healthy landscape and can visit a very high volume of flowers. When a butterfly stops to sip nectar, it unintentionally picks up pollen on its body and transfers it among flowers. Butterflies and their caterpillars also have a vital role in the food chain as a critical food source for birds and other insectivorous animals. Ecologists often consider butterflies an indicator of healthy ecosystems.

Unfortunately, like many insects, butterfly populations are in decline, primarily due to habitat loss. Creating habitat in our landscapes can help fill the void between fragmented natural habitats and provide stepping stones in a pollinator pathway for butterflies to reach other parks, natural areas and roadside wildflowers.

Butterflies in Florida

Here in Florida, our wealth of native wildflower diversity supports a wonderful array of butterflies. More than 170 species are considered native, with around 40 of those being endemic or nearly endemic. Sixty-seven of our butterfly species are considered rare; data on these species is maintained by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory.

What butterflies need

There are a few key components to keep in mind when gardening for butterflies:

• Utilize regionally appropriate native plants of different sizes and structures to create spaces for butterflies to both feed and rest. Brush piles and other natural features can also provide shelter for butterflies and places for caterpillars to pupate.
• Provide native wildflower nectar sources for adult butterflies. Butterflies are attracted to bright blooms. Consider incorporating a variety of wildflowers to have flowers in bloom from early spring through fall. Our plant selection guide can help you find the right plants for your landscape across the seasons.
• Provide native larval host plants for female butterflies to lay eggs on and support the caterpillars.
• A consistent clean water source can also be helpful for butterflies to hydrate and thermoregulate.

Note: Providing good habitat for butterflies will likely support many other pollinators, birds and other wildlife. It is natural and actually a sign of a healthy food web for predation to occur on both butterflies and caterpillars.

New to native plant gardening? Learn more here! Find native plants to purchase in your area from www.PlantRealFlorida.org.

20+ butterflies to plant for

We support a wholistic approach to butterfly gardening by creating habitat through the use of regionally appropriate native plants and balancing the importance of both nectar sources and larval host plants. While nectar sources are often common across many butterfly species, larval hosts are specific to each species.

We have compiled a list of 20+ butterflies whose larval host plants are generally suitable for urban butterfly gardens and also either commercially available or possibly even already volunteering in your yard.

Learn more about butterflies in Florida from these resources:

• UF IFAS Entomology & Nematology’s Featured Creatures
• Florida Museum Butterfly Guide