April 16 is "Save the Butterfly Day" in Alabama, and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was declared Selma's mascot in 1982 and the state butterfly in 1989.
Selma is also the "Butterfly Capital of Alabama."
I took this photo of a swallowtail in my zinnia bed several years ago and was fortunate to capture it with its wings spread across two flowers. It was used in a local magazine article about "Madame Butterfly," or Mrs. Mallieve Breeding. She led a community effort to save the butterflies here.
Believing a garden should be "a thing of beauty as well as a thing of conservation," Mrs. Breeding spoke to civic clubs, schools, the city council and anyone who would listen. She explained that butterflies are a sign of a healthy environment, but pollution, overly aggressive mosquito control and lawn care are some of the means that destroy butterfly habitats.
Today, there is a Mallieve Breeding Butterfly Garden at the School of Discovery. Wildflowers have been planted along U.S. Highway 80, and Mrs. Breeding - now a well-known butterfly consultant - remains Madame Butterfly, even to adults who first heard her appeals when they were school children.
HOW TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies need trees, flowers and other plants that support the four stages of metamorphosis from egg laying to food to pollination. They also thrive in areas where they can access water in shallow pans and and stones in sunny areas. Sunlight is necessary for nectar production, and butterflies require warmth to maintain temperature.
Trees in the Selma area include: poplar, ash, crabapple, dogwood, oak, persimmon and pear.
Flowering annuals are: marigold, ageratum, salvia, delphinium, impatiens and pansy.
Flowering perennials: daylily, hibiscus, goldenrod, lantana, periwinkle, zinnia, verbena, butterfly weed, canna and black-eyed susan
Herbs include: parsley, mint, chives, onion and rosemary
Selma is also the "Butterfly Capital of Alabama."
I took this photo of a swallowtail in my zinnia bed several years ago and was fortunate to capture it with its wings spread across two flowers. It was used in a local magazine article about "Madame Butterfly," or Mrs. Mallieve Breeding. She led a community effort to save the butterflies here.
Believing a garden should be "a thing of beauty as well as a thing of conservation," Mrs. Breeding spoke to civic clubs, schools, the city council and anyone who would listen. She explained that butterflies are a sign of a healthy environment, but pollution, overly aggressive mosquito control and lawn care are some of the means that destroy butterfly habitats.
Today, there is a Mallieve Breeding Butterfly Garden at the School of Discovery. Wildflowers have been planted along U.S. Highway 80, and Mrs. Breeding - now a well-known butterfly consultant - remains Madame Butterfly, even to adults who first heard her appeals when they were school children.
HOW TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies need trees, flowers and other plants that support the four stages of metamorphosis from egg laying to food to pollination. They also thrive in areas where they can access water in shallow pans and and stones in sunny areas. Sunlight is necessary for nectar production, and butterflies require warmth to maintain temperature.
Trees in the Selma area include: poplar, ash, crabapple, dogwood, oak, persimmon and pear.
Flowering annuals are: marigold, ageratum, salvia, delphinium, impatiens and pansy.
Flowering perennials: daylily, hibiscus, goldenrod, lantana, periwinkle, zinnia, verbena, butterfly weed, canna and black-eyed susan
Herbs include: parsley, mint, chives, onion and rosemary
8 comments:
like a moth to a flame... I was drawn to this the moment I saw it on the portal. the framing and colour saturation is superb.
Very nice capture of this butterfly. I just love seeing butterflies.
Gorgeous photo and a lot of useful information!
Great scene.I have a photo of a Monarca Butterfly. I'll post it later.
Oh -- nice photo! This is a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. I have a lot of them in May and June here where I live.
Abraham Lincoln
Thanks to all of you for your comments. I'd love to see your butterfly photos!
I like butterflies very much and this is a so wonderful, lovely, colorfull photo! :)
Wow! awesome picture, I love seeing butterflies. Thanks for the info, also 15 May is celebrated as Butterfly Day.
Post a Comment