Butterfly gardening 4619516 221353838 2008-06-24T04:09:49Z Wloveral 3573669 Quick-adding category "Butterflies" (using [[WP:HOTCAT|HotCat]]) {{unreferenced|date= August 2007}} {{For|video game|Butterfly Garden}} '''Butterfly gardening''' is a growing school of [[gardening]], specifically [[wildlife gardening]], that is aimed at creating an environment that attracts [[butterflies]], as well as certain [[moths]], such as those in the ''[[Hemaris]]'' genus. Butterfly gardening is often aimed at inviting those butterflies and moths to lay eggs as well. Because some plants are not fed upon by adult butterflies, the [[caterpillar]] [[host (biology)|host]] should also be planted for a bigger population of butterflies. Butterflies typically feed on nectaring flowers, and there are literally hundreds of such [[plant]]s that may be planted to attract them, depending on the location, time of year, and other factors. In addition to the planting of flowers that feed butterflies, other means of attracting them include constructing ¨butterfly houses¨, providing sand for puddling, water, and other resources or food items, including rotten fruit. ==Why people butterfly garden== There are many reasons why people decide to start butterfly gardening. Some people only like to look at the butterflies, while others like to take pictures as well. Others try to help the butterfly population by planting native plants which rare or [[threatened]] butterflies feed on. Done correctly, butterfly gardening can increase the populations of butterflies.<ref>Glassberg, J. (1995). Enjoying butterflies more: attract butterflies to your backyard. Marietta, OH: Bird Watcher's Digest Press.</ref> Many butterflies are becoming less abundant as a result of [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]] destruction and fragmentation, and they do not feed on the plants regularly found on gardens. Others may also help in tagging [[monarch butterflies]], which helps scientists monitor the monarch population and their migratory routes. ==Problems== Butterflies have many [[predator]]s, including [[Mantidae|mantids]], [[wasp]]s, [[spider]]s, [[bird]]s, [[ant]]s, [[Hemiptera|true bugs]], and [[Fly|flies]] in the [[Tachinidae]] family. If these predators are becoming a problem, they can be controlled with traps. One should never use pesticides to kill predators, as they will also kill butterflies and their [[larva]]e. There are also diseases that afflict butterflies, such as bacteria in the ''[[Pseudomonas]]'' genus, the [[Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus]], and ''[[Ophryocystis elektroscirrha]]'', which only infects [[queen (butterfly)|queen butterflies]] and [[monarch butterflies]]. Because insecticides cannot be used, many times [[aphid]]s and true bugs can infest plants. Aphids can be controlled by releasing [[ladybug]]s and other [[biological pest control]] agents that do not harm butterflies. Another method of control is by spraying the plants with water, or rinsing plants with a mild dish detergent/water solution (although caterpillars should be relocated before suds are applied). Scented detergents are fine, those containing Oxyclean should be avoided. The aphids will turn black within a day, and eventually fall off. ==Butterfly-attracting plants== Research should be conducted as to what species are prevalent in your area, and what plants they prefer to nectar on. Depending on your zone, some butterfly attracting plants include: [[purple cone flower]]s (echinacea purpurea), [[yellow cone flower]]s, [[sunflower]]s, [[marigold]]s, [[Poppy|poppies]], [[Cosmos (plant)|cosmos]], [[salvia]]s, some [[lily|lilies]], [[Aster (genus)|aster]]s, [[coreopsis]], [[Bellis|daisies]], [[verbena]]s, [[milkweed]] (especially for the Monarch butterfly, whose caterpillars feed solely on this plant), the [[butterfly bush]] (budleia), [[zinnia]]s, and others.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://butterflywebsite.com/butterflygardening.cfm |title= Butterfly Gardening |accessdate=2008-05-27 |publisher= Butterflies for All Occasions |date= 2008 }}</ref> In addition to expanding the number of species seen in your yard, provide host plants that feed the caterpillars. This is just as important as planting flower beds with nectar-rich blooms.<ref>Dole, C.H. (Ed.).(2007). The butterfly gardener's guide. Brooklyn: Brooklyn Botanic Garden. </ref> ==See also== *[[Butterfly zoo]] *[[Butterfly]] == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/butterfly/ The Butterfly Garden- GardenWeb forum with info on host and nectaring plants, photos, etc.] *[http://www.naba.org/pubs/bg.html Butterfly Gardener, ''North American Butterfly Association (NABA)''] [http://www.naba.org/ Join NABA] and you will receive this publication as part of your membership. In addition you will receive their excellent magazine, [http://www.naba.org/pubs/abm.html American Butterflies ] *[http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/wildlife/handbooks/butterflyguide/ Butterfly Gardener's Guide, ''Brooklyn Botanic Garden''] *[http://nababutterfly.com/index.html Butterfly Gardening Habitat Program, ''NABA''] *[http://www.njaudubon.org/education/backyardhabitat/butterhummgarden.html How to Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden, ''Pat Sutton''] *[http://www.njaudubon.org/education/backyardhabitat/Keyplants.html Recommended Plants to Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, & Moths, ''Pat Sutton''] *[http://photodharma.tripod.com/butter.htm photodharma butterfly page with butterfly photos and information on butterfly gardening] [[Category:Gardening]] [[Category:Butterflies]] [[fi:Perhospuutarha]]