New Visitors

I was able to photograph two more beauties on Saturday.  Send along any butterfly photographs to Ray E. so we can share them as well.  The butterfly information is from Gardens with Wings, an excellent online resource.

Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)

This cryptic colored and uniquely shaped creature has the perfect arrangement. It is one of the few butterflies that overwinter as adults. Hiding in cracks and crevices of wood, they remain inactive through the cold months. Their colors help keep them hidden and safe. This is also a butterfly that doesn’t prefer nectar but will drink it occasionally, the favorites of this individual is tree sap, overripe fruit, and animal scat. The scat supplies proteins that the butterfly cannot get from nectar. You may see this unique flier in cooler temperatures before the other butterflies are able to fly, an exciting sight in any garden.

Plants That Attract This Butterfly

• Nectar Plants
  Aster, Butterfly Bush, Common Milkweed
• Host Plants Elm Tree, False Nettle, Sugarberry

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

The Red Admiral is an admired butterfly, popular in much of North America, Asia, and Europe. This butterfly enjoys many types of environments and has a strong affinity to flowers. The males are territorial and many times can be found in the same location day to day. The undersides of the wings are a mottled brown and tan with a curved bright red color on the upper side of the brown/black wings. Although a quick flier, this beauty is a more docile butterfly, it tends to be a friendly visitor in gardens.

Plants That Attract This Butterfly

• Nectar Plants
  Aster, Butterfly Bush, Common Milkweed, Shasta Daisy
• Host Plants False Nettle