All the Dirt on Gardening

Our garden attracts many varieties of butterflies, skippers and moths. Among the most dramatic, though common, butterflies are the swallowtails. At this time of year we see dozens and dozens of tiger swallowtails (Papilio glaucas) on the tall perennial phlox late in the afternoon. In this hot dry weather, many butterflies need supplemental water, sugar and minerals. To feed adult butterflies, fruit and Gatorade are replenished almost daily. Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar about to make a chrysalis. If you want a LOT of butterflies, it helps to provide the plants where they lay their eggs. Many butterflies are host specific and will lay eggs only on one type of plant. Many types of swallowtail caterpillars look similar. Black swallowtails (Papilio polyxenes asterius Stoll) hang out, dance around and mate on the perennial phlox so this could be one of their caterpillars. Swallowtail caterpillar eating dill, a favorite food. This year the garden has a doz...

The most beautiful and watchable life in our gardens include butterflies, moths and skippers. Called the Lepidopteran order of insects, they pollinate plants as well as feed songbirds, reptiles and amphibians. Their pollination helps create fruit, vegetables and flowers. These insects go through metamorphosis in four stages A fertilized egg that hatches in about a week. The larval or caterpillar stage. During this period of life they eat leaves, shedding their skin several times as they grow larger. A pupa or chrysalis that the caterpillar attaches to a plant with silk. Inside the case, the caterpillar turns to liquid and forms into a butterfly, moth or skipper. The adult emerges with wet folded wings in about 2 weeks. Butterflies, moths and skippers need flower nectar, water, sunshine, a mud puddle and caterpillar food to raise the next generation. They also need a chemical free environment without pesticides, herbicides and other poisons. To attract adult butterflies and moths, prov...