The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 15 Summer 2015/2016 Low res | Page 29

Butterflies 5. Heliotrope attracts Grass Jewel Blue (Chilades trochylus) butterfly larvae. 6. Plectranthus species attract a variety of Family Commodore butterfly larvae. 7. Pterocarpus rotundifolius attracts the Veined Skipper (Abantis venosa) butterfly larvae. Gegenes pumilio Don’t panic about caterpillars eating your plants. While you don’t want the alien and invasive cabbage butterfly larvae damaging your cabbages, most host plants will recover very quickly. The growth of some indigenous plants, like the Buddlejas, is even boosted by caterpillar predation. Food for the adults Chilades trochylus Some butterflies don’t feed at all in their adult stage of the lifecycle, but those that do, tend to feed on nectar from flowers or on ripe fruit. Here are some top tips to follow: 1. Plan your garden so there is a selection of perennial nectarproducing flowers every season. 2. Some great nectar-producing plants that attract butterflies include: Heliotrope, Anisodontea (Cape Mallow), Clerodendrons, Scabiosa, Camphor Basil, Gazanias, Namaqualand Daisies and Pelargoniums. 3. Create ‘corridors’ of flowers linking the different areas of your garden together. Plant some larval host plants in each area as well; this will lead the butterflies all round the garden to feed and to breed and, of course, for you to enjoy! 4. To attract butterflies that like to feed on fruit, leave either overripe guavas or bananas on a wooden platform in a sunny spot that’s protected from wind. 5. Plant flowers en-masse to draw in the butterflies as this makes it easier for them and is more attractive to them. Some butterflies are particularly attracted to masses of Dais cotinifolia yellow, orange or purple flowers like Gazanias, Namaqualand Daisies and Scabiosa. 6. Some butterflies enjoy foraging for nectar under a canopy of shady trees, like Albizias and Dais cotinifolia, where they are more protected from insect-feeding birds. Go organic! Namaqualand Daisies Pelargonium You need to create a balance in your garden so that you control caterpillar pests in areas where they cause significant damage, like in the veggie garden. However, don’t kill all the caterpillars in the entire garden, as there will be no butterflies. The best way to achieve this balance is to commit to going organic. Use organic pesticides that only kill targeted pests like aphids and fungal diseases. Many chemical fungicides and insecticides indiscriminately kill all kinds of beneficial fungi and insects as well. Use organic fertiliser and compost on your plants to create a healthy soil environment and to encourage natural insect predators like ladybugs and praying mantis. Warmth and protection from wind Like all insects, butterflies need the warmth of the sun to warm up their systems in the morning so that their metabolism can provide them with the energy to fly. Butterflies are attracted to sunny spots and prefer north-facing flowerbeds that are protected from the wind. Scabiosa Lindsay 0772 573 489 [email protected] www.thegardenclub.co.zw 29