Creating a safe and welcoming environment for butterflies to lay their eggs in southwest Florida is an essential part of preserving the species. Host plants are the most reliable way to attract butterflies and encourage them to lay eggs. Nectar-rich flowers, such as pentas, firebushes, firespike, plumbago, manta flowers, and sage, will help adult butterflies stay in the area. Planting a butterfly garden is an excellent way to make your garden more attractive and to draw in different species of butterflies found in Florida.
Not only will it be a magnet for butterflies, but also for hummingbirds and beneficial insects. The orange and black butterfly is renowned for its annual multigenerational migration from Mexico to as far north as Canada. Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed to lay their eggs while traveling. Unfortunately, monarch populations have decreased significantly over the past two decades due to the decline of native plants, including milkweed, on which their caterpillars feed. To guarantee that monarchs have the right plants at the right time along their migratory route, it is essential to plant nectar-producing plants that will provide energy for adult butterflies. Creating a butterfly garden doesn't require a large area of land; even a few key plants can have a big impact.
To make your garden more visible and attractive to butterflies, consider adding a trellised arch covered with vines of butterfly host plants. It is also important to choose plants that are native to the area where you live. The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with agricultural producers in the Midwest and Southern Great Plains to combat the decline of monarch butterflies by planting milkweed and other nectar-rich plants on private land. Once you have planted your butterfly garden, it is essential to protect the eggs from predators such as wasps and lizards. Covering the eggs with a fine mesh can help keep predators away.
If you live in the Jacksonville area, you may be able to raise and release monarch butterflies yourself. This year alone, nearly 60 monarch butterflies have been released from this area.
