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
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