Fax: (304) 637-0250 637-0250 (304) Fax:

www.wvdnr.gov

not uncommon. not

(304) 637-0245 (304)

attracting butterflies takes time, several years is is years several time, takes butterflies attracting

10M 5/06 10M Elkins, WV 26241 WV Elkins,

Be patient; developing your and and garden your developing patient; Be

P.O. Box 67 Box P.O.

group status. group

; avoid using chemicals in your yard. yard. your in chemicals using avoid pesticides; disability, or other protected protected other or disability,

Natural Resources Natural

national origin or ancestry, ancestry, or origin national West Virginia Division of of Division Virginia West Butterflies are sensitive to and and herbicides to sensitive are Butterflies

to sex, race, age, religion, religion, age, race, sex, to Wildlife Resources Wildlife

to all persons without regard regard without persons all to A Few Tips Few A

Program

employment opportunities opportunities employment

services, programs, and and programs, services, Diversity Diversity

to provide its facilities, facilities, its provide to Wildlife Wildlife

area near host . host near area Division of Natural Resources Resources Natural of Division

It is the policy of the of policy the is It hibernation boxes to a tree or post in a shady shady a in post or tree a to boxes hibernation

through the winter. It is best to attach attach to best is It winter. the through

Research Center, www.forestryimages.org www.forestryimages.org Center, Research

Cover photo of a on by Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Agricultural USDA Payne, A. Jerry by aster on butterfly monarch a of photo Cover species of butterflies to enter and hibernate hibernate and enter to butterflies of species

protection from predators by allowing a few few a allowing by predators from protection the National Wildlife Federation. 191pp. Federation. Wildlife National the

receive much use. Boxes however, provide provide however, Boxes use. much receive . Sierra Club Books and and Books Club Sierra . Butterfly 1990.

generally not colonial, so the boxes may not not may boxes the so colonial, not generally Xerces Society and the Smithsonian Institution. Institution. Smithsonian the and Society Xerces

of butterflies that hibernate and these are are these and hibernate that butterflies of

Harvard Common Press. 144pp. Press. Common Harvard

in West Virginia, there are only a few species species few a only are there Virginia, West in

. The The . Garden Butterfly The 1985. M. Tekulsky,

adequate food, water and cover. Furthermore, Furthermore, cover. and water food, adequate

. Stanford University Press. 583pp. Press. University Stanford . America boxes, but they are not essential if you have have you if essential not are they but boxes,

The Butterflies of North North of Butterflies The 1986. A. J. Scott, You can buy or make butterfly hibernation hibernation butterfly make or buy can You

Hibernation Boxes Hibernation 160pp.

. Rodale Press. Press. Rodale . Garden Your to Them Attract and

Butterflies, How to Identify Identify to How Butterflies, 1990. M. Schneck, the same. the

may take a little longer, but the results will be be will results the but longer, little a take may

144pp.

you wish in your garden and them. It It them. plant and garden your in wish you Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Resources. Natural of Department Minnesota

gather seeds from the various native plants plants native various the from seeds gather . . Wildlife For Landscaping 1987. L. C. Henderson,

before you dig. The best approach may be to to be may approach best The dig. you before

Diversity Program). Diversity

be destroyed. Remember to get permission permission get to Remember destroyed. be

388pp. (Available through the WV Wildlife Wildlife WV the through (Available 388pp.

lot, and remove plants that would otherwise otherwise would that plants remove and lot,

. University of Pittsburgh Press. Press. Pittsburgh of University . Caterpillars Their

housing developments or a proposed parking parking proposed a or developments housing

Butterflies of West Virginia and and Virginia West of Butterflies 1997. T. Allen,

development such as new road construction, construction, road new as such development Sources:

is illegal. Instead, find an area planned for for planned area an find Instead, illegal. is

Male zebra swallowtails gather at wet area. wet at gather swallowtails zebra Male digging them from natural areas such as parks parks as such areas natural from them digging

Tom Allen plants. Using native plants is encouraged, but but encouraged, is plants native Using plants.

in West Virginia West in

the local butterfly fauna. The same is true of of true is same The fauna. butterfly local the

Working with native species helps conserve conserve helps species native with Working

Gardening dramatically. The gypsy moth is an example. example. an is moth gypsy The dramatically.

natural controls and populations may increase increase may populations and controls natural

important? Some exotic species do not have have not do species exotic Some important?

Butterfly

are native to your region. Why is this this is Why region. your to native are

garden from other areas unless the species species the unless areas other from garden

Refrain from transplanting larvae to your your to larvae transplanting from Refrain

Transplanting Larvae or Plants or Larvae Transplanting WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION RESOURCES WILDLIFE WVDNR

Life Cycle (occurring mostly on alder) rather Welcome to the world Butterflies have four life stages: egg, larva than plant parts. Some species feed only (the caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and adult on one kind of plant and perhaps only on a of butterflies (the butterfly). Each stage is unique and certain part of the plant. Others may be less Butterflies in your garden are a sure way of has specific needs (food and environmental selective and will feed on a variety of plants. adding color and life to your backyard, patio factors) that enable its The larval stage eats, grows and stores energy. or window sill. Gardening for butterflies is development and survival. Caterpillars molt several times because their a natural way to enhance your garden and skin (made of intensify its beauty and splendor. A butterfly Butterflies may lay eggs chitin, similar to garden in your yard will also attract birds in the spring, summer our fingernails) and mammals, adding more diversity to your or fall. Usually the eggs does not expand. surroundings. are laid on or near plants Each stage of that are the host of the molting is called an Observing Butterflies newly hatched larva or instar. The number It is important to caterpillar. Eggs differ in of instars depends observe butterflies size and shape depending on the species, but upon the species. Some usually consists of

and learn about them AllenTom when planning your butterflies lay eggs in 4 or 5. Leonard’s skipper butterfly garden. clusters while others, like Edward Manigault, Clemson U.,www.forestryimages.org Silk glands called spinnerets are located in the Butterflies begin the monarch butterfly, Monarch chrysalis mouth area. With these, the larva spins the to appear with the lay a single egg on the host silk it uses for support and protection. Once warming days of leaf. Butterflies can lay anywhere from 20 to the caterpillar reaches full size it transforms to spring (above 600 1,500 eggs, depending upon the species, so the pupa, also known F) and continue a good nectar source is essential to maintain as a chrysalis. to be active until the health of butterfly populations that grow quickly. For many species of butterflies, eggs late fall. Knowing The duration of the hatch within a few days of being deposited. which nectar plants AllenTom pupal stage varies butterflies prefer will WestWest VirginiaVirginia white,white, thethe When caterpillars (larvae) hatch, they first eat with each species give you a good idea only butterfly named after the egg shell and then begin to eat vegetation, and often depends of what plants to use our state. flowers or fruit of the host plant. The larva on temperature. in your garden. Try of one species of butterfly in our region, the Some species to identify butterfly species and the date Harvester, is predaceous and feeds on woolly must go through a AllenTom you observe them throughout the season. A hibernation stage or Great spangled fritillary butterfly field guide will enable you to identify diapause before emerging. Although the pupa the various species visiting your area, which may appear dead or inert from the outside, is important for planning a butterfly garden. amazing changes are occurring inside—the With this information, you can then learn the larva begins to change into a butterfly. habits and life cycles of each species and take Development generally takes about two weeks. an inventory of which species are in your area. Once all the organs have changed, the skin of In order to begin planning your butterfly the pupa splits and the butterfly emerges fully garden, it is important to know about the life developed, and is ready to sip nectar, mate and cycle of a butterfly. lay eggs. Tom AllenTom Baltimore caterpillar Attracting Butterflies To Your Backyard Habitat Requirement Scent, Taste and Sight or four plant species and build from there Each butterfly species has different habitat Butterflies are attracted to strong scents, if you have more time. You do not need to requirements. The presence of host plants yet equally important is the carbohydrate follow all the suggestions mentioned in this generally determines the extent of habitat content of the nectar. Butterflies have sensors brochure to have a successful butterfly garden; needs for each species. Thus, it is important for smell and taste in various areas of their pick and choose ideas that are feasible for you that you know the life cycle of the butterfly bodies, but most smell with their antennae or to do. species in your forelegs. Color is also important; butterflies area. Ideal are near-sighted, and can see colors well into Plant Selection butterfly habitat the ultraviolet range. Therefore, your garden’s Plant species includes a nectar scent and color are important to the butterfly’s with different but source for the survival. Planting a variety of flowers is overlapping blooming adult and a better than planting one species. The best seasons allows the host plant for combinations include yellow, mauve and maximum number of the caterpillar. lavender flowers with a strong scent. Purple butterflies to persist in your garden. Plant A varietyvariety ofof and reds are also good colors to select. r e v i flowering forbs, lilacs, azaleas, violets l y O b

and phlox for spring o shrubs and trees Where to Plant OliverToby T

Tom AllenTom are good nectar Make sure you place your garden in a blooms. Clovers and EasternEastern sswallowtailwallowtail Silver-spotted skipper sources for spot accessible for your viewing vegetables can butterflies (Table 1). Water is also important. Butterflies need sunny areas; therefore, your be planted in the spring and summer. Daisies, You may want to provide a shallow puddle in plantings should be placed where they get cone flowers, milkweeds, butterfly weed and your garden, although, in West Virginia, there the most sunlight. Some shade is essential sunflowers bloom during the warm summer is usually enough moisture in the form of dew during the hot summer months so planting months. Plants such as ironweed, native to supply the butterfly’s needs. trees and shrubs near your garden will provide thistles, joe-pye-weed, asters, goldenrods, bee both shade and perching sites for butterflies. balm, butterfly bush, mints, cardinal flowers, Butterflies like to perch on trees and shrubs; Wind exposure is also important; butterflies vetch, nettle and yarrow can be planted for therefore dogwoods, yellow poplar, wild do not cope well with strong winds. Use the warm months and will survive into the cherry and redbud are good choices to plant vegetation to protect butterflies from strong fall. Butterfly bush is among the best nectar in your garden. Large rocks strategically winds. Decide how much time you can sources for butterflies and one of these shrubs placed may serve as resting and sunning spots invest planting and maintaining your garden will do wonders for your garden. Remember for butterflies. The rocks are a good place and design it according to these that the greater the variety of plants you to put a homemade brew, guidelines. If you are not sure of select, the more butterfly species you will consisting of ripe bananas, how much time to invest, select three attract to your garden. molasses, sugar, stale beer, fruit juice and water. Spread the brew on the rocks or on tree trunks. Some butterflies 1 2 species prefer rotting fruit n e l rather than flower nectar. l m A o Tom AllenTom T CheckerspotCheckerspot Table I. Native Plants for Caterpillars and Butterflies of West Virginia Common Species Larval Host Plant Native Nectar Sources

Pipevine Swallowtail Dutchman’s pipe milkweed, joe-pye-weed, lilac

Zebra Swallowtail pawpaw dogbane, redbud, milkweed2

Spicebush Swallowtail spicebush, sassafras joe-pye-weed, dogbane2 Black Swallowtail (carrots, parsley, dill, fennel)1 milkweed, phlox, clover2 Eastern Tiger black cherry, yellow poplar butterfly bush1, milkweed, lilac2 Swallowtail 4 Cabbage White (cabbage, broccoli, mustards)1 mustards1, aster Clouded Sulphur clovers clover, aster, goldenrod Orange Sulphur legumes, clover clover, tickseed, dogwood Eastern Tailed-blue red clover, legumes cinquefoil, dogbane, asters 3 Spring Azure dogwood, black cherry holly, willow, spicebush 1. Black Cherry 1 2 Great Spangled Fritillary violets, pansies dogbane, ironweed 2. Yellow Poplar Aphrodite Fritillary violets, pansies1 dogbane, milkweed2 3. Dogwood 2 Pearl Crescent aster aster,ironweed, dogbane 4. Redbud 9 Meadow Fritillary daisy, mallow family aster, ironweed, goldenrod2 5. Butterfly Weed 6 8 American Painted Lady pearly everlasting yarrow, goldenrod, aster 6. Dogbane Monarch milkweed milkweed, dogbane, goldenrod 7. Black-eyed Susan 10 West Virginia White toothworts, mustard spring beauty, toothwort 8. Switch Grass 9. Goldenrod Common Wood Nymph grasses sap, dung, milkweed2 10. Big Bluestem 2 5 Little Wood Satyr grasses sap, carrion, dung 11. Indian Grass Red-spotted Purple black cherry, poplar, oaks sap, dung, carrion, cherry2 12. Yarrow Mourning Cloak willows, elms, aspens sap, dung, minerals from soil2 13. Wild Blue Phlox 18 16 12 2 Comma nettle, elm sap, dung, carrion, lilac 14. Toothwort 7 17 Question Mark nettle, elm, hackberry sap, dung, carrion,aster2 15. Bee Balm 15 Red Admiral nettle sap, dung, carrion2 16. Purple Coneflower 11

Hobomok Skipper panic grass blackberry, milkweed 17. Little Bluestem 14 18. Bergamot 13 Silver-spotted Skipper black locust, stick tights joe-pye-weed, ironweed 19. Pearly Everlasting 21 Dreamy Duskywing willow redbud, blueberry, strawberry 20. New England Aster Juvenal’s Duskywing scrub oak, white oak vetch, cinquefoil, wild plum 21. Violet 20 21 27 Viceroy willow, cottonwood aster, carrion, sap, dung* 2 22. Sand/Soil Path 23 Peck’s Skipper grasses dogbane, ironweed, vetch 23. Tickseed 24 35 European Skipper timothy and grasses fleabane, daisy, milkweed 24. Butterfly Bush 26 25. Milkweed 21 Tawny-edged Skipper grasses coneflower, dogbane, milkweed 19 26. Moist Area 25 Cross Line Skipper grasses dogbane, ironweed, vetch 27. Daisies 21 32 Long Dash grasses milkweed, tick-trefoil 28. Spicebush Northern Broken Dash panic grass, switch grass New Jersey tea, clover 29. Cardinal Flower 22 Sleepy Duskywing scrub oak blueberries, azalea, redbud 30. Ironweed 28 31. Joe-Pye-Weed Little Glassywing grasses ironweed, dogbane, milkweed 31 32. Moist/Shade corner 30 29 *also rotting fruit (see “Habitat Requirements” for homemade brew recipe) 33. House 29 1plants that are not native to West Virginia but are not aggressive invaders 34. Window 2also native thistles 35. Bird bath 34

NOTE: nectar sources are not limited only to plants listed. 3333 Drawing by Carmen Blumberg and Courtney Tallman