How to Create a Butterfly Habitat

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By mercedus
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This article will help the beginners design a small butterfly habitat in the space of their own backyards.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Food Source(for adults)
Shelter
Water
Host plants(for eggs and larvae
Sun

Step 1

Creating a butterfly habitat in your own backyard can sound like a daunting tasks. Not so as long as you keep to some guidelines and ensure that you have included the basic elements. The first thing you should do before putting anything into your garden is determine what butterflies are native to your area.

Once you know that then you can determine what food sources you will need to make available to adult butterflies. While adult butterflies will drink the nectar from many different flowers some prefer rotting fruit, manure or carrion(dead rotting bodies of animals). Try providing several options so as to attract different types of butterflies to your garden.
Step 2

Sunlight is an important factor when planning a butterfly garden. Butterflies are cold blooded and need to maintain a body temperature of at least 85 degrees. Make the most out of the sun you have put flowering plants in the sunniest spots.
Step 3

Don't forget about baby. You will also need to make room in your garden for "host plants". These are the plants that the butterflies will lay eggs on or near so that the larvae are close to food when they hatch.

Some larvae prefer specific food. For example a Banded Purple larva prefer hawthorn. Remember these plants are here as food. You might want to put them somewhere they can not be readily seen as they will show evidence of being eaten.
Step 4

Your butterfly garden will need some protection from the elements and predators. Of course you can not protect against everything, but a little help goes a long way.

Large rocks will help to shield them on windy days. Larval food plants such as wild cherry can help hide butterflies from rain or birds. Other shelter options may include a low fence or planting the garden near fir tree.

Small flowering bushes are also desirable because not only do they provide a source of food, but also a place to wait out the night or predators.
Step 5

Last but certainly not least is water. Bird ponds are lovely, but in truth butterflies have no use of them. Instead you will need to provide an alternative such as a muddy puddle, cow dung or rotting fruit(the softer the better).

Comments

femwriter said

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on 10/7/2009 What a helpful article on how to create a Butterfly Habitat, thanks for sharing. It truly deserves a 5* rating and recommendation!

riefderrico said

on 10/1/2009 How awesome that I stumbled on this article! I am currently in the process of planting my butterfly habitat for spring! Thanks for the tips.