Butterflies require two entirely different types of plants in order to complete their life cycle. An adult butterfly is equipped with a proboscis, or tubular tongue, that it uses for drawing nectar, whereas, immature butterflies, known as larvae or caterpillars, have chewing mouth parts and feed on plant parts. The required food for both life stages should be planted or cultivated in order to develop a successful and abundant butterfly garden. What this means essentially is – provide flowers for the adults and leaves for the caterpillars. Additional requirements include water and shelter, however, these needs are usually met without additional effort once the butterfly garden is established.
Flower nectar is the preferred food choice of most adult butterflies, however some species also take advantage of tree sap, fermenting fruit, and even carrion. When planting nectar plants, keep in mind that adult butterflies need sunlight in order to warm their wings for flight. Therefore, place the majority of nectar plants in a sunny location to assist them as they prepare for takeoff. Black butterflies, such as the zebra longwing, actually seem to prefer feeding, or nectaring, in shady areas much more frequently than their lighter counterparts. This is because their dark color absorbs heat more readily thus enabling them to be active sooner in the day as well as on cooler days. Knowing this, the butterfly gardener should locate some nectar plants in the shade as well as in sunny areas to satisfy all the nectar-seeking visitors. Florida butterflies are active most of the year so it is also important to utilize a variety of plant species. This keeps your garden producing blooms throughout the seasons, ensuring a continuous supply of nectar – even in winter.