
Mike Malloy
mikemalloy@naplesbutterfly.com
May is here and what does that mean? Summer time in Florida is upon us. But it is also the start of the full blown butterfly season. In Southwest Florida we have a year-round butterfly season, while numbers of butterflies like Monarchs and Yellow Sulfurs will migrate, many of the same and others stay in South Florida and prosper year round, much to the delight of all those crazed butterfly enthusiasts living here.
In spring, summer and fall the numbers of these little flying flowers rise dramatically because the temperatures are warm – just like they like it – and all their host plants (plants that female butterflies lay their eggs on) and nectar plants (plants they feed on sipping nectar) are in full bloom. They need at least

Migrating Monarchs SUBMITTED photoS
Much of the butterfly’s natural habitat here in Southwest Florida has been destroyed by what some call progress. To me building more strip malls that just lay empty is (insert expletive here). We all need to help replace

Red penta nectar plant
When finding a location for your garden, it should receive at least four hours of sunlight a day. It doesn’t necessarily have to be direct sun, but still a bright light. I think that can easily be found almost anywhere here in Southwest Florida. I have found full sun is almost too much for most plants especially in the summer. There are some butterflies that prefer shady areas, so providing varying light situations will attract a larger variety of winged flying flowers making ideal conditions for maximum numbers. A good irrigation system is important to any garden but particular in a butterfly garden. Pop-up

Underside of Giant Swallowtail
Remember to include a viewing area (a place with a bench where you can sit) in your garden to watch the butterflies unique and various unusual habits. For example, the Monarch butterfly is very territorial and will chase off any unwanted intruders, usually other males looking

A big bonus in butterflying gardening is attracting hummingbirds to your yard. Many of the plants adult butterflies use to nectar on are also some of hummingbird’s favorite plants. Two of the most popular with hummingbirds are Fire bush (Hamelia patens) and Fire spike (Odontonema strictum) this is the red one, it also comes in pink and purple. Red is the favorite color of both butterflies and hummingbirds.
To attract butterflies to your garden, first you need host plants. These are the plants female butterflies deposit

Zebra caterpillar
Some of Southwest Florida’s most common and abundant butterflies and their host plants are:
Monarch: Milkweeds (many different varieties).
Queen: Milkweeds
Orange barred Sulfur: Sennas (cassias
Cloudless sulfur: Sennas (cassias)
Black Swallowtail: Parsley, fennel and dill
Polydamas (Gold Rim): Dutchman’s pipe
Zebra Longwing: Passion Vines
Gulf Fritillary: Passion Vine
Julia: Passion Vine
Giant swallowtail: Any citrus or Wild Lime
The second group of plants you’ll need in your butterfly garden are nectar plants (Plants adult butterflies feed on).
Some of the best are:
Ruby Red Penta (Penta spp)
Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Golden Dewdrop

Passifloria incense host plant
Fire Bush (Hamelia Patens)
Salvias (Salvias spp)
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia puchella)
Porter weed (Stachytarphaeta urticifolia)
Lantana (Latana ssp)
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Shrimp Plants (Justicia spp)
African Bush Daisy (Euryops spp.)
These are only a few of the many nectar plants and host plants that are out there.
Remember, butterfly gardening is guaranteed! Plant the right host plant for the right butterfly and they will come to your garden. Plant nectar plants and they will stay in your garden; you have everything they need why would they leave!! Always make sure you have enough host plants to sustain your caterpillars because most will not eat any other plant other than their specific host plant. One more thing that’s very important ……NO PESTICIDES!!!!!! Remember to follow our videos on YouTube under the South Florida Plant Pickers and on Facebook under Mike Malloy.
KEEP BUTTERFLYING!!
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Thank you.
Ive started raising and releasing this year, so far 157 free!
It is January 12, 2021, Marco Island and I just found 2 very healthy Monarch Caterpillars on my Milkweed. What a nice surprise!