How to build a garden that attracts butterflies
Butterflies are a welcome treat to any garden. They are a sign that you have built something attractive to some of the most beautiful insects in nature. Their pleasant fluttering between flowers is always fun to watch on a sunny day.
Butterflies play an important role in the pollination of various plant species – both native plants and garden plants. Their specialty lies in pollinating flowering plants which makes them easily drawn to a well-planned garden.
If you plant large, brightly colored flowers, there is a very good chance that butterflies will start to frequent your garden.
Do butterflies pollinate?
Butterflies are important pollinators for many cultivated plants, particularly flowering plants that are commonly planted in gardens. Flowers with large petals, bright colors, and many flowers bunched together are irresistible to butterflies.
Butterflies are attracted to plants like these because they have very good perceptions of color which, for many species, covers a wider color spectrum than the human eye. Red, yellow, and orange flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies.
Amazingly, butterflies can see ultraviolet light which allows them to detect otherwise invisible markings that help lead them to nectar.
These insects are active throughout the day. They visit open flowers during the early hours as well as under full sunlight. They are active during the same hours as humans which means we are present to enjoy their beautiful displays of color as they feed throughout the day.
As pollinators, they are a less important species than bees, but they are still crucial for many ecosystems. The anatomy of a butterfly restricts the amount of pollen it can transfer between plants.
Butterflies feed through their proboscis – their long tongue that acts like a straw – which they lower deep into a flower to suck up any nectar. Since the proboscis is so long, the butterfly keeps its body at a distance while feeding. This means less pollen sticks to it as it feeds and less is transferred to the next plant it visits. Despite being less efficient than bees, butterflies are still considered essential insect pollinators. Their decline in certain areas has corresponded with declines in plant species with nectar-rich flowers.
Butterflies are drawn to a wide range of flowers and do not typically show flower specialization. Because their taste preference is so broad, the nectar from many types of flowers may be on the menu for their next meal. Being attracted to a wide range of flowers makes butterflies versatile pollinators and easy to attract to any garden.
Promoting butterfly and pollinator habitats
Planting a garden with a diverse range of colorful flowers will help increase butterfly populations by increasing their food sources. Floral diversity is an important factor in butterfly conservation because it gives them access to a consistent food source throughout various seasons.
Planting your garden with flowers that bloom at different points in the year will give your butterfly visitors a steady stream of nectar and make them regular guests for you to enjoy.
Do you like what you’ve read so far about pollinators? Have a look at our other blog posts that talk about pollinators and why they are important for your garden:
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