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Border wall planned through the National Butterfly Center threatens habitat, wildlife corridors, and decades of conservation and research efforts.
Why Build Habitat for Butterflies?
Why Build Habitat for Butterflies?
• Supports our region's butterflies
• Demonstrates life cycles and food webs
• Creates outdoor spaces for observation and journaling
• Helps conserve butterflies declining across Texas
• Benefits your mood
The Secret: Two Types of Plants
The Secret: Two Types of Plants
Host Plants (for caterpillars) - These plants provide sites for egg laying and food for the caterpillar
Nectar Plants (for adult butterflies) - These plants provide nectar for adult butterflies but not all flowers provide the same type or levels of nectar
Priority Butterfly Habitat Needed Now
Priority Butterfly Habitat Needed Now
Check ABF's App (Central Texas Butterflies) and search Occasional. We need: XXXXXXX. Then check iNaturalist for observations.
Realize that just because you have a suitable habitat, if we have already lost the butterfly species from the area, we need a population to come close enough to recolonize the habitat.
Where to Start
Where to Start
Check ABF's App (Central Texas Butterflies) or iNaturalist. Take note of the butterfly species
Assess what you have! Take this backyard assessment by Xerces Society - Habitat Assessment Guide For Pollinators In Yards, Gardens, And Parks
Take note of:
Flower Shape
Flower Color
Know thyself. Do you want every kind of plant in your habitat? A diverse habitat? A beneficial habitat?
Identify which ecoregion you live in
Identify which ecoregion you live in
Overwintering Spaces
Leave cracks, nooks, and cavities from old stumps for the insects! Your habitat will help any butterflies and insects overwintering!
If you took the assessment by Xerces....
Sketch your garden and note your trees, shrubs, and other plants (don't forget to identify the grass!). Take measurements of your space and note dimensions as available.
Planning for the type of habitat
School gardens <<link to subwebsite with further directions?>> Provides real-world STEM learning!
Neighborhoods
Demonstration gardens
Restoration
Balconies
Planning for Size
Planning for water demand
Planning for maintenance and plants that spread, and take over.
A Plan for site conditions - soil, water
Identify which ecoregion your habitat is located in: Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, Edwards Plateau, or the Cross Timbers.
Planning for Sunlight
Sunny for at least 6 hours
Planning for the Seasons
By planting a mix of these species, you can support butterflies throughout the year.
Protection, hibernation, and territory
A Plan for the Plants
Plant 5 to 6 of each type of host plants
Expect caterpillars to eat the leaves
The most needed habitat right now is:......
Common Plants Butterfliers Love
Layouts
Potted Plants - "A spiller, filler, and thriller!"
Layers - Groundcover, small shrubs, trees
Groups -
Avoid pesticides
systemic insecticides
neonicotinoids
broad-spectrum sprays
Grass
Plants
Beneficial "weeds" and why you should keep some
Avoid Pesticides
Create a mud station or puddling station
Need flat stones
Need a mash
Trees
Plants
Vines
Herbs
Grass
Tips for Raising Caterpillars in Your Backyard
Tips for Raising Caterpillars in Your Backyard
Be patient!
Do not force caterpillars.
Avoid planting everything at once. Start with 2 to 3 host plants, or 5 to 6 host plants. and 3 to 5 nectar plants.
Avoid overcrowding your caterpillars. Give them enough space.
Protect, but don't overprotect. It's ok to leave some outside. You've established an ecosystem. If you bring some inside or place in a mesh enclosure, keep things clean to avoid spreading disease.
Be safe. Do not touch a caterpillar if you do not know what it is and especially if the body is hairy, hairy with tufts, bristled, or spiney.
If you have questions, ask on our Facebook Group Page.
Helpful Resources (Books)
Helpful Resources (Books)
Butterfly Gardening for Texas, Geyata Ajilvsgi
Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America, Amy Bartlett Wright
Google Sites
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