Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

Common name: Butterfly

Scientific name: Order Lepidoptera, several families, many species.

Size: Varies widely.

Identification: Beautiful big wings and long antennae with clubbed tips.

Biology and life cycle: Complete metamorphosis. Larvae are caterpillars, many of which eat plants and are troublesome.

Habitat: Many ornamental and food crops.

Swallowtail butterfly

Feeding habits: Adults eat nectar from flowers.

Economic importance: Pollination and garden beauty.

Natural control: Wasps, birds, lizards, and predatory flies.

Organic control: Bacillus thuringiensis sprays kill butterflies, but please relocate them to another suitable host if necessary.

Hairstreak butterfly

Insight: This is an example of those insects whose life forms are both beneficial and harmful. Adult butterflies pollinate flowers and provide garden beauty, but the larvae or caterpillars can be very destructive pests. Butterflies should be protected because they add beauty and fascination to nature. It would be a dull environment without them. The monarch butterflies have pupal cases that look like jewelry, and the giant swallowtail has larvae that look like bird droppings.

To attract butterflies, plant many varieties of flowering annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees. Biodiversity with many different flower colors is important for attracting butterflies. If you Google "butterfly host plants" for your area you'll find many sites listing the best plants for your yard or neighborhood.

For more information, visit Monarch Joint Venture - Life Cycle page.

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