ECEC Butterflies
Why do we raise butterflies at ECEC?
As the world changes with development, paving and density of buildings, the natural habitat of butterflies has diminished. Only 5% survive in the wilderness. There are many predators, worst of all being the meat eating bees, who prey on the eggs, caterpillars and adult butterflies. ECEC determined that raising and releasing butterflies would be appropriate for the mission to promote Oregon environmental needs.
After contacting the Oregon State Department of Agriculture, we received advice that we could raise the following butterflies: painted lady, American painted lady, West Coast painted lady, red admiral, monarch, mourning cloak, Western tiger swallowtail, cabbage white and orange sulfur. All of the butterflies have been seen at the ECEC site, but only a few exist well in captivity in our flight room. Students spend the summer attending to the life cycle of painted ladies and monarchs. According to the OSDA, it is important that we release only up to 30 butterflies at a time in order that not impact the environment.
There are particular plants necessary for host plants for various species. They are as follows:
painted lady – thistle
American painted lady – pearly everlasting (also a native Oregon plant)
West Coast lady – nettles and mallow
red admiral – nettles
monarch – milkiweed
mourning cloak – willow and aspen
Western tiger swallowtail – cottonwood, maple, willow and aspen
orange sulfur – legumes, alfalfa and clover
ALL BUTTERFLIES LIKE THE SAME NECTAR PLANTS
Some of the favorites are:
aster, ageratum, bee balm, black-eyed Susan, buddleia, catmint, coreopsis, cosmos, thistle, heliotrope, pentas, Joe Pye weed, lantana, lavender, liatris, marigold, purple coneflower, phlox, sedum, Shasta daisy, verbena, tall verbena, zinnia
COME AND VISIT OUR FLIGHT ROOM TO SEE THE BUTTERFLIES IN A NATURAL HABITAT
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