{"id":63648,"date":"2021-07-27T15:50:11","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T19:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/?post_type=news&#038;p=63648"},"modified":"2021-07-29T08:56:10","modified_gmt":"2021-07-29T12:56:10","slug":"native-plants-for-north-carolina-butterfly-gardens","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/news\/native-plants-for-north-carolina-butterfly-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Native Plants for North Carolina Butterfly Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\"><iframe class=\"embed-responsive-item\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hXOZvIhv4x0\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>Do you know the difference between a cocoon and a chrysalis? What kinds of plants do caterpillars eat? And what kinds of butterflies and moths can you find across North Carolina?<br \/>\n\u2014From NC Culture Kids<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Why garden with plants that are native to North Carolina? Native plants attract many pollinators, including some showy butterflies! Native plants support more species than plants from other areas (exotics). Many (not all!) exotic plants are invasive pests \u2013 they push out native species and disturb natural habitats. So when you\u2019re planting, try to plant native species. The good news is that you can have up to 30% non-native varieties and still get the same ecological benefits!<\/p>\n<p>Caterpillars need to eat specific plants that their butterfly parent must account for when choosing a place to lay her eggs. We call these host plants.<\/p>\n<p>Each species of butterfly lays its eggs on a host plant: different ones for different species of butterfly. For example, the Monarch butterfly lays its eggs on milkweed because the Monarch caterpillar only eats milkweed*. But Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars can thrive on a variety of plants, such as Cherry, Ash, Magnolia and Tulip Poplar trees, so that species of butterfly has egg-laying options.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: host plants feed the caterpillars, while food (nectar) plants feed the adult butterflies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>*<\/strong>Note: In biology, a weed is a species that can adapt quickly to any environment. Not all weeds are bad, even in a garden, because pollinators like butterflies often use them for food or host plants.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><strong>Butterfly<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><strong>Caterpillar &amp; Host plants<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"background: lightgrey;\">\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch-butterfly-fresh-emergence_edited_Nik_640.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63658\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch-butterfly-fresh-emergence_edited_Nik_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Monarch butterfly fresh emergence\" width=\"310\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch-butterfly-fresh-emergence_edited_Nik_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch-butterfly-fresh-emergence_edited_Nik_310w-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Photo: Mike Dunn, <a href=\"https:\/\/roadsendnaturalist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadsendnaturalist<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\nMonarch Butterfly<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/monarch-caterpillar-2_640.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63660\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/monarch-caterpillar-2_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Monarch caterpillar eating milkweed leaf.\" width=\"310\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/monarch-caterpillar-2_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/monarch-caterpillar-2_310w-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Photo: Mike Dunn, <a href=\"https:\/\/roadsendnaturalist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadsendnaturalist<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\nMilkweed*, such as Common Milkweed,<br \/>\nSwamp Milkweed or Whorled Milkweed.<\/div>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Tiger_Swallowtail_John_Flannery_800.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63676\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Tiger_Swallowtail_John_Flannery_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Tiger_Swallowtail_John_Flannery_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Tiger_Swallowtail_John_Flannery_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Tiger_Swallowtail_(19943502114).jpg\">John Flannery<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/span><br \/>\nEastern Tiger Swallowtail (Note: About half the females in North Carolina are black instead of yellow!)<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Tiger-Swallowtail-caterpillar-side-view_edited_nik_800.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63683\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Tiger-Swallowtail-caterpillar-side-view_edited_nik_310w-2.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar side view.\" width=\"310\" height=\"196\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar. Photo: Mike Dunn,<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/roadsendnaturalist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadsendnaturalist<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\nTulip Tree, cherry, magnolia, ash, cottonwood<br \/>\nor willow.<\/div>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"background: lightgrey;\">\n<div style=\"margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Spicebush_Swallowtail_Katja-Schulz_800.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63692\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Spicebush_Swallowtail_Katja-Schulz_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Spicebush_Swallowtail_Katja-Schulz_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Spicebush_Swallowtail_Katja-Schulz_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Spicebush_Swallowtail_(33588753623).jpg\">Katja Schulz<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/span><br \/>\nSpicebush Swallowtail Butterfly.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/spicebush-swallowtail-caterpillar2MD_800.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63694\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/spicebush-swallowtail-caterpillar2MD_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/spicebush-swallowtail-caterpillar2MD_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/spicebush-swallowtail-caterpillar2MD_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar. Photo: Mike Dunn,<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/roadsendnaturalist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadsendnaturalist<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\nSpicebush or Sassafras.<\/div>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"pagediv\" \/>\n<h3>Adult butterflies may prefer a few species or a wide range of flowers to drink nectar from.<\/h3>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><strong>Butterfly<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><strong>Example nectar plants<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"background: lightgrey;\">\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch_on_common_milkweed_Mike-Dunn_800.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63754\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch_on_common_milkweed_Mike-Dunn_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Monarch about to lay egg on common milkweed.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch_on_common_milkweed_Mike-Dunn_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Monarch_on_common_milkweed_Mike-Dunn_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Photo: Mike Dunn, <a href=\"https:\/\/roadsendnaturalist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadsendnaturalist<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\nMonarch about to lay egg on common milkweed.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Common-Milkweed-in-flower_800_2to3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63764\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Common-Milkweed-in-flower_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Common Milkweed in flower.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Common-Milkweed-in-flower_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Common-Milkweed-in-flower_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Monarch caterpillar. Photo: Mike Dunn, <a href=\"https:\/\/roadsendnaturalist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadsendnaturalist<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\nCommon Milkweed (pictured), Swamp<br \/>\nMilkweed, Butterfly Weed; sometimes<br \/>\ndogbane or lilac.<\/div>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TigerSwallowtail-5_male_PrRdg-Aug_800.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63768\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TigerSwallowtail-5_male_PrRdg-Aug_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Cup Plant.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TigerSwallowtail-5_male_PrRdg-Aug_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TigerSwallowtail-5_male_PrRdg-Aug_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Photo: John Gerwin\/NCMNS.<\/span><br \/>\nEastern Tiger Swallowtail (on Cup Plant).<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/CupPlant-flowers-July_RW_JohnGerwin-1a_800_2to3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63770\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/CupPlant-flowers-July_RW_JohnGerwin-1a_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Cup Plant flowers.\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/CupPlant-flowers-July_RW_JohnGerwin-1a_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/CupPlant-flowers-July_RW_JohnGerwin-1a_310w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Photo: John Gerwin\/NCMNS.<\/span><br \/>\nCup Plant (pictured), Joe-pye Weed, New York<br \/>\nIronweed, Summer Phlox, cherry, lilac,<br \/>\nSmooth Oxeye.<\/div>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"background: lightgrey;\">\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 10px; float: left; display: block; width: 320px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/SpicebushSwallowtail_03_RW-SumPhlox_JohnGerwin_640.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63775\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/SpicebushSwallowtail_03_RW-SumPhlox_JohnGerwin_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Spicebush Swallowtail (on Summer Phlox).\" width=\"310\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/SpicebushSwallowtail_03_RW-SumPhlox_JohnGerwin_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/SpicebushSwallowtail_03_RW-SumPhlox_JohnGerwin_310w-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Photo: John Gerwin\/NCMNS.<\/span><br \/>\nSpicebush Swallowtail (on Summer Phlox).<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; display: block;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Phlox_640.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63778\" src=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Phlox_310w.jpg\" alt=\"Summer Phlox.\" width=\"310\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Phlox_310w.jpg 310w, https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Phlox_310w-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nSummer Phlox (pictured), Jewelweed,<br \/>\nmilkweed, azalea, dogbane, and Sweet<br \/>\nPepperbush.<\/div>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"cleardiv\" \/>\n<p><em>For more information about our upcoming activities, conservation news and ground-breaking research, follow @NaturalSciences on\u00a0<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/naturalsciences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/em><em>,\u00a0<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/naturalsciences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/em><em>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/naturalsciences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/em><em>.\u00a0Join the conversation with #visitNCMNS.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":63780,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/63648"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/63648\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}