Townsville people are particularly fortunate when it comes to butterfly species richness. Within 100 km of the Townsville Post Office there are close to 50% of the 403 named Australian species.
Even within the city proper, 144 species are known to occur. While all families are present in Townsville, the large papilionids (Birdwings, Swallowtails etc) are extremely well represented.
Gardeners in Townsville have been encouraged to plant specifically for butterflies. The Townsville City Council has promoted this for many years beginning around 1984 when one City Alderman became so well known for this advocacy she was dubbed “Madam Butterfly” (Townsville Advertiser 2.2.84). Subsequent publicity included directions on what species to plant and a Council funded program to provide plants for some species. These ranged from Townsville Bulletin 7.7.84 and again 12.12.87 and a series of “how to” articles in February and March 1989. Even the Brisbane press became aware of these activities (Sunday Sun 4.6.89). There is no doubt that these programs have had a large effect on the butterfly population of Townsville, especially species such as Papilio ulysses (Mountain Blue, Ulysses Blue or Dunk Island Blue) and Ornithoptera priamus (Birdwing Butterfly) which are now abundant throughout the city.
Ideal conditions for most species involve:
warmth
sunshine
moisture
shelter from wind and rain, and
a suitable supply of larval and adult food sources.
If the garden is too shaded, adults will not be attracted as most prefer sunny conditions to fly. Butterflies will also seek shelter from wind by perching in the lea of shrubs or trees, especially if this is also the sunny side.
In hot dry periods some surface water is often attractive, especially small mud puddles where mineralised water may be imbibed. The males of many species prefer to perch at vantage points on the branches of trees, places which may be defended against intrusion by other males and from which females may be readily sighted. Females are unlikely to remain in an area if there are no suitable nectar sources or no plants which provide larval food.
Some first principles for the garden environment include ensuring much of the area is sunny for several hours each day; careful planting to exclude strong winds while retaining sunshine; numerous nectar sources from plants; the remainder of the area planted with plants used by butterfly larvae – ideally in several distinct clumps separated by sunny patches.
In almost all parts of Australia planting flowering shrubs and herbs is very useful. There are not many native species which provide ideal nectar sources for gardeners to concentrate butterflies in their gardens but Micromelum minutum is one. Seasonally useful plants include Bursaria spp, Leptospermum spp, Melaleuca spp, Callistemon spp and also Parsonsia spp. Most gardeners will find it useful to include some non-native plants for nectar.
For species such as the Evening Brown (Melanitis leda) and the Orange Bush-brown (Mycalesis terminus), the provision of rotting fruit will bring the adults around; (in the tropics rotting treefall fruits of mango or carambola are particularly appealing, as are bananas).
Urban landscapes, including private gardens, are capable of supporting a wide range of butterfly species. A combination of native plants for larval food, carefully selected for the particular location, can contribute to the maintenance of local and regional biodiversity of butterflies.
Townsville people are particularly fortunate when it comes to butterfly species richness. Within 100 km of the Townsville Post Office there are close to 50% of the 403 named Australian species.
Even within the city proper, 144 species are known to occur. While all families are present in Townsville, the large papilionids (Birdwings, Swallowtails etc) are extremely well represented.
Gardeners in Townsville have been encouraged to plant specifically for butterflies. The Townsville City Council has promoted this for many years beginning around 1984 when one City Alderman became so well known for this advocacy she was dubbed “Madam Butterfly” (Townsville Advertiser 2.2.84). Subsequent publicity included directions on what species to plant and a Council funded program to provide plants for some species. These ranged from Townsville Bulletin 7.7.84 and again 12.12.87 and a series of “how to” articles in February and March 1989. Even the Brisbane press became aware of these activities (Sunday Sun 4.6.89). There is no doubt that these programs have had a large effect on the butterfly population of Townsville, especially species such as Papilio ulysses (Mountain Blue, Ulysses Blue or Dunk Island Blue) and Ornithoptera priamus (Birdwing Butterfly) which are now abundant throughout the city.
Ideal conditions for most species involve:
If the garden is too shaded, adults will not be attracted as most prefer sunny conditions to fly. Butterflies will also seek shelter from wind by perching in the lea of shrubs or trees, especially if this is also the sunny side.
In hot dry periods some surface water is often attractive, especially small mud puddles where mineralised water may be imbibed. The males of many species prefer to perch at vantage points on the branches of trees, places which may be defended against intrusion by other males and from which females may be readily sighted. Females are unlikely to remain in an area if there are no suitable nectar sources or no plants which provide larval food.
Some first principles for the garden environment include ensuring much of the area is sunny for several hours each day; careful planting to exclude strong winds while retaining sunshine; numerous nectar sources from plants; the remainder of the area planted with plants used by butterfly larvae – ideally in several distinct clumps separated by sunny patches.
In almost all parts of Australia planting flowering shrubs and herbs is very useful. There are not many native species which provide ideal nectar sources for gardeners to concentrate butterflies in their gardens but Micromelum minutum is one. Seasonally useful plants include Bursaria spp, Leptospermum spp, Melaleuca spp, Callistemon spp and also Parsonsia spp. Most gardeners will find it useful to include some non-native plants for nectar.
For species such as the Evening Brown (Melanitis leda) and the Orange Bush-brown (Mycalesis terminus), the provision of rotting fruit will bring the adults around; (in the tropics rotting treefall fruits of mango or carambola are particularly appealing, as are bananas).
Urban landscapes, including private gardens, are capable of supporting a wide range of butterfly species. A combination of native plants for larval food, carefully selected for the particular location, can contribute to the maintenance of local and regional biodiversity of butterflies.
For more information on how to beautify and add value to your garden click here and contact the team at Gardens Help Sell for an obligation-free consultation.
Original Information Source
Tags: Butterflies, Natives