Butterflies are important pollinators. They are also good indicators of the ecological quality of a habitat, as they are important components of the food chain, particularly as larvae. Few butterflies are a serious threat to economically important plants. In short, butterflies are benign, aesthetically pleasing, faunal members. In turn, the main threat to butterflies is the destruction and loss of their habitats. The channelization of riparian areas, draining of wetlands, lowering of water tables, growth of cities, and expansion of agriculture all contribute to this habitat loss. Widespread use of pesticides may also threaten healthy butterfly populations.

What's happening to the butterflies? Entomologists claim that the use of pesticides and the destruction of natural habitat are probably the leading causes of declining butterfly populations. This means that humans are responsible for the dwindling numbers of butterflies. But humans can save the butterfly population too. With just a little effort, we can create a haven that is favorable to butterfly survival and reproduction.


http://www.butterflybushes.com..._the_butterflies.htm

What makes a butterfly species abundant in one area and unseen in another often has something to do with the availability of caterpillar host plants. In order for a butterfly species to survive in any location, ample food must be available for its caterpillars. Without caterpillars, there couldn't be butterflies.

http://www.butterflybushes.com..._the_butterflies.htm

By getting involved in butterfly conservation we will be rewarded with an abundance of colorful butterflies in the years to come. If we forget that butterfly populations are dwindling and do nothing to help them in their struggle to survive, we may one day pay the price. Our beautiful butterflies may disappear.

Many plant species with varying flowering times will attract a variety of butterflies.

When creating a butterfly garden, simple blooms, rather than double flowers are better. Flat topped flowers makes it easyer for butterflies to land and feed. Masses of tiny flowers such as goldenrods, spirea, daisies or Queen Anne's lace are ideal.

Site your butterfly garden in a warm, sunny, sheltered area.

Butterflies are mostly attracted to pink, yellow, orange or purple blooms.

Some are migratory.

Instead of mouths, butterflies have a tubelike structure called a proboscis.

Each eye is made up of about 6,000 tiny parts, called lenses.

The average lifespan of a butterfly ranges from 2 weeks to 2 months.

They don't live long, so let us protect them, and create a butterfly friendly garden or windowbox for them.

This is a lovely post. Thank you for the beautiful images.
I have always loved butterflies and have even enjoyed painting them.


Some species, or kinds, of butterflies are in danger of becoming extinct. In many places in the world the number of butterflies is dropping.

In addition to habitat loss, butterflies in many places live in danger of being poisoned. People use pesticides to kill harmful insects. These chemicals also kill butterflies, bees, and other helpful insects.

If one has a garden or balcony, or even just a window-box, let us not spray our plants with toxic substances, this way we can keep the butterflies alive.

Thank you for the nice topic.
What is a garden without butterflies?

Sincerely,
Gisele

Thank you Inda.

You are right, humans are using too many toxic products in their gardens, and everywhere in general. We will see a big decline in flora and fauna if this goes on much longer.

Butterflies pollinate almost by accident. They usually have a very wide range of flight, so the pollen gleaned off a flower in your yard may end up across town. There has been some research showing that a few of our endangered native plants may be exclusively pollinated by butterflies and could be lost without them. There is much more research needed in this area.

http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden/butterflyImportance.htm

Let us create a butterfly friendly nature wherever we can, so that future generations can enjoy the beauty that we enjoy as well.

Love,
Sue

You are right about the butterflies' preference of colours. This one really chooses the pink.



And this one likes the purple.

Thank you yoko, Gisele and Sue.

You make the butterflies dance.

Love, Inda
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It is nice to be back here, even if it is only very part-time.

Thank you for the post.
Let us hope that all the living beings on earth will survive for our future generations to enjoy.

Love,
Vicky

Oki, oki yo !
Waga tomo ni sen,
Neru-kocho' !

Wake up ! wake up ! -
I will make thee my comrade,
thou sleeping butterfly !

Basho

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Chuang Tzu And The Butterfly by Li Po.

Chuang Tzu in dream became a butterfly,
And the butterfly became Chuang Tzu at waking.
Which was the real—the butterfly or the man ?
Who can tell the end of the endless changes of things?
The water that flows into the depth of the distant sea
Returns anon to the shallows of a transparent stream.
The man, raising melons outside the green gate of the city,
Was once the Prince of the East Hill.
So must rank and riches vanish.
You know it, still you toil and toil,—what for?

This is a far away dream at the moment - when spring comes think about attracting butterflies to your garden.



Butterflies are some of the most beautiful and interesting creatures on Earth. By planting a butterfly garden with all of the right kinds of plants and flowers that butterflies love to feed on and lay eggs on, you will certainly have a yard full of butterflies throughout the growing season. Butterfly gardens can be any size - a window box, part of your landscaped yard, or even a wild untended area on your property.

You are right Inda, the butterfly season here is far away, but a wonderful thing to look forward to.
When the season comes let us make an effort to encourage the butterflies to survive.

Love,
yoko