|
Did you know that there are half a dozen different species of swallowtail butterflies native to Central Illinois?
|
|
Swallowtails are large, colorful butterflies named for the long extensions on their hind wings. When the caterpillars feel threatened, they stick two brightly colored projections out from behind their heads that release a smell to ward off predators. (shown left)
|
|
|
This week we'll shine the spotlight on some of the most common swallowtails, and explain how you can attract them to your yard, starting with what the individual species need, followed by a look at how to attract the swallowtails as a group.
|
|
|
Black swallowtail butterflies like open, grassy areas, making it easy to attract them to your yard. They overwinter in place, without migrating, and emerge as soon as the weather warms in spring.
|
|
|
Top left: male black swallowtail • Top right: female black swallowtail
Bottom left: black swallowtail egg • Bottom center: black swallowtail caterpillar • Bottom right: black swallowtail chrysalis - may be green or brown, depending on where it's built.
|
|
The females are drawn to plants in the carrot and citrus families, where they lay their eggs.
Besides actual carrots, some of the plants they like include dill, parsley, and celery, as well as fennel and lovage, which are both perennials.
|
|
|
You might think that we haven't got any citrus family plants around here, but our native wafter and prickly ash trees are in the citrus family, as well as the herb rue and gas plant, a beautiful but rarely seen perennial.
|
|
|
Gas plant is pictured above. It gets its name from the citrus-scented oils that it releases into the air on warm days. While difficult to source, we do have a limited number of homegrown plants available now.
|
|
|
Giant Swallowtails are the largest butterfly in North America, with a wingspan of over 7 inches! They are strong fliers, migrating each year to overwinter in the deep south.
|
|
|
Top left: giant swallowtail adult • Right: giant swallowtail egg
Bottom left: giant swallowtail caterpillar
|
|
|
The caterpillars come cleverly disguised as bird poop, throwing off would-be predators. They eat only citrus family plants. (See "Black Swallowtail" above for a list.)
|
|
|
|
Pictured above: giant swallowtail butterfly, showing yellow undersides of wings
|
|
Giant swallowtails favor deciduous woodlands, so if you live near a forest or you've planted citrus family plants or nectar flowers on your property, you might see them. They're so big that you'll know it for sure if you do!
|
|
|
3. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
|
|
|
Often seen flying high over the treetops in deciduous forests, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars mostly feed on the leaves of trees, including tulip tree, sweetbay magnolia, wild cherry, cottonwood, and native ash trees.
|
|
|
|
Top left: tiger swallowtail butterfly (males & females tend to look similar in our area, although there's a black variant of the females that appears more frequently down south.) • Top right: chrysalis, blending in with a tree trunk • Bottom left: caterpillar, with false eyes meant to scare off birds. Younger caterpillars are brown and white, and older caterpillars may be brown or green. • Bottom right: eggs on leaf of tulip tree
|
|
You can lure them down to your garden by providing plenty of nectar plants. Male eastern tiger swallowtails are also particularly fond of puddling.
|
|
|
Puddle Party: The Scoop on Butterfly Puddling Behavior
|
|
|
Many types of butterflies like to gather in spots where there's bare wet sand or mud to drink mineral rich water. This behavior is called "puddling." All of the swallowtail butterflies engage in puddling to some degree, particularly males. (Some scientists theorize that the males present a portion of the minerals they collect when courting females.)
|
|
|
|
The bottom line: If you provide a mineral rich wet spot in your garden, you've got a good chance of drawing crowds of butterflies! To create one for yourself, you'll need the following items:
|
|
1. A shallow container that can hold water, such as a plastic plant drip tray
2. Sand
3. Unenriched compost or composted manure
4. Flat stones
|
|
|
|
Fill the container most of the way with sand and mix in a little bit of the compost or manure to add minerals. Place the flat stones at different heights on top of the sand so that the butterflies always have a shallow spot to stand.
|
|
|
Place the container in a sunny spot in your garden, preferably in a spot where butterflies normally congregate. Top up the container with water, and refill it whenever it starts to dry out, and keep an eye out for butterfly puddle parties!
|
|
|
Adults only: plants for nectar
|
|
No butterfly garden is complete without nectar plants for the adults! Swallowtail butterflies of all kinds particularly favor nectar-rich flowers including the milkweeds, butterfly bush, bee balm, blazing star, joe-pye weed, and garden phlox.
Among annuals, their favorites include lantana and zinnias.
|
|
|
With the right plants, a little patience, and some mud, you can attract these beautiful butterflies to your garden and enjoy the delight of watching them up close. Whether you're a seasoned butterfly enthusiast or just starting out, the thrill of seeing a swallowtail butterfly sip from a puddle or flit between flowers is sure to bring a smile to your face. So go ahead, give it a try, and see the magic of nature unfold in your own backyard!
|
|
|
|
|
