Butterfly Love

Many pollinators seem to have favorite types of flowers or patterns that they recognize as rewarding. Scientists who study pollinator behavior described particular pollinator ‘syndromes’ that matched flower color, scent, nectar availability, or shape with particular insect or animal early on in their research. Rather than following such scientist originated rules, pollinators exhibit what I call tendencies but not an obedience to rulebooks. In describing the attraction of butterflies to flowers, scientists call it psychophily and list characteristics for the flowers that include pink or lavender color, showy flowers, petals that form a landing platform, and nectar rewards.

This swallowtail butterfly is enjoying the tubular flowers and nectar of a lovely pink hyacinth.

It’s a good thing that butterflies don’t know the rules since I have found, in my Florida yards, that butterflies take advantage of what’s available and this time of year it may be the bright yellow daisy-like flowers of the local Bidens alba aka beggartick or Spanish needle. In the fall, you can see these pretty flowers growing wild along roadsides and nearly taking over untended yards. Or, as in our side yard, un-mowed areas. Spanish needle is native but can be invasive and once you have it in your yard it is probably there to stay or may very likely re-appear since the seeds disperse on the fur of animals.

This Long-tailed Skipper is taking advantage of the warm sun and abundant nectar of the Spanish Daggerweed.

Gulf Fritillaries were abundant and seem to enjoy sparring with each other over a particularly good flower.

Tiny Ocola Skippers tend to stay closer to the ground than other butterflies.

I was surprised to see this monarch butterfly nectaring - I don’t see many in our yard.

What kind of butterflies (or moths) do you see in your area?