How does one raise butterflies?
Seven years ago we had a tree that was literally covered with thousands of monarch butterflies for an afternoon and night. We suspect they stayed overnight on their migrate south. It was a spectacular show!!!
Since, we see very few butterflies. I would be interesting in raising some, how? Thank you.
Raising Butterflies
Start with milkweed for your monarchs to lay eggs on when they come through. Do a little research for other plants that will serve as hosts for butterflies in your area. A few nectar plants and you are on your way! Good luck.
Thank you!
If you click on my screenname and scroll down on my member info you will see a link for my garden diary - click on that and you will find information on butterfly life cycles, caterpillar cages, brew/bait for butterflies that feed on rotting fruit, predators and other helpful information.
http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/m/TexasPuddyPrint/
Or you can google for butterfly larval host plants or use some of these websites:
This is my local naba chapter website: we have about 320 recorded species in our area
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast - check out the gardening link - there is a very comprehensive .pdf file for caterpillar food plants you can download.
www.dallasbutterflies.com (click on butterfly gardening link for host plants listed by butterfly or plant name)
www.butterfliesandmoths.org (you can click on map search - for butterflies recorded for your location - or use the species search if you are interested in raising a particular butterfly and want to know what plants to grow to attract it)
www.butterfliesofamerica.com
There are also some very good books on the market. A couple of must haves are:
Kaufman Focus Guide: Butterflies of North America by Kenn Kaufman and Jim Brock
Caterpillars in the Field and Garden: A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America by Thomas Allen, Jim Brock and Jeff Glassberg
Go to the www.naba.org website and see if you state/area has a local chapter - if so, they may be able to provide you with information that focuses on your area.
Hope that helps.
~ Cat