Senin, 15 November 2010

Butterfly on a Brown Eyed Susan - Edith Isidoro-Mills

Attracting butterflies to your yard also attracts beneficial insects and the best way to attract them is with plants native to your region.

Many people either curse or shy away from caterpillars which are the larval stage of butterflies because either they find them ugly or a nuisance due to the foliage they consume. However, once caterpillars mature into adult butterflies people are attracted them and even want to attract them to their gardens.
Surprisingly butterflies are not only attractive but they aid pollination of wildflowers and crops and may even attract beneficial insects that control garden pests. Scientists have long known that buffer zones rich in native plants have been beneficial to agriculture. Now they suspect the butterflies attracted to these zones may be one of the benefits. Currently scientists studying how butterflies, other wildlife such as beneficial insects, and native plants species interact.
Gardeners can also benefit from butterflies if they grow plants that attract them. However, they may need to look beyond their local garden center for help.