Southwest Florida has the perfect warm climate to host an abundant year-round array of butterflies (approximately 85 species). Our area features a number of iconic species such as the Zebra Longwing, Monarch, and Gulf Fritillary. Key habitats and gardens, often planted with milkweed and passion vine support these species. Populations are most active during the warmer, wetter summer months.
While it is sometimes thought that the name butterfly was created from the phrase “flutter-by,” the word actually derives from Old English (butorfleoge) and similar names in Old Dutch and Old High German. Butterflies are distributed worldwide except Antarctica, totaling some 18,500 species.
Butterflies are insects and, like all insects, their bodies are made up of three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. At the top of the head are the antennae which vary from species to species. These are sensory organs which detect chemicals in the air – to help the butterfly find food, or a mate. Butterflies have compound eyes which are made up of lots of tiny lenses. They can detect light and dark and color, and they are able to detect movement in many directions at once. The mouth parts of the butterfly enable them to feed. They feed on nectar using a long, drinking straw-like feature called a proboscis.
The middle part of the butterfly is called the thorax. This is where the body parts that enable the butterfly to move around the environment are found. Like all insects, butterflies have six legs. Two pairs of wings (forewings and hindwings) are attached to the thorax and function like a single pair during flight. The wings are made up of tiny overlapping scales.
The abdomen is where the butterfly’s life sustaining functions happen. It contains the digestive system and the reproductive organs. Down the sides of the abdomen are tiny holes called spiracles, which enable the butterfly to breathe.
Butterflies have a four-stage life cycle and undergo a complete metamorphosis. Adults lay eggs on plant foliage on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, expands its wings to dry, and flies off. Never try to help an emerging butterfly. It needs to follow nature and dry out its wings before it can fly.
The colorful patterns on many butterfly wings tell potential predators that they are toxic. The color of butterfly wings is derived from tiny structures called scales, each of which have their own pigments.
Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers. Some also derive nourishment from pollen, tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, decaying flesh, and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt. Butterflies are important as pollinators for some species of plants. In general, they do not carry as much pollen load as bees, but they are capable of moving pollen over greater distances. Adult butterflies consume only liquids, ingested through the proboscis. They sip water from damp patches for hydration and feed on nectar from flowers, from which they obtain sugars for energy, and sodium and other minerals vital for reproduction. Several species of butterflies need more sodium than may be provided by nectar and are attracted by sodium in salt. They sometimes land on people, attracted by the salt in human sweat. Some butterflies also visit dung and scavenge rotting fruit or carcasses to obtain minerals and nutrients.
Common butterfly species in Southwest Florida are:
• Zebra Longwing: The Florida state butterfly, recognizable by black-and-white striped wings, often seen in shaded areas and gardens.
• Monarch: found year-round with high activity during migration in spring and fall.
• Gulf Fritillary: Bright orange, often abundant in summer and fall.
• White Peacock: A tropical, white-and-tan butterfly common in open, sunny areas.
• Giant Swallowtail: A very large, dark swallowtail with yellow stripes.
• Zebra Swallowtail: Distinctive black-and-white striped swallowtail, found near pawpaw plants.
• Atala: A rare, small, black butterfly with bright metallic blue spots and a red abdomen. (While rare, I’ve seen a bunch of them on Fort Myers Beach in the area of the Mound House.)
• Schaus’ Swallowtail: A critically endangered species found in South Florida habitats.
• Queen: Similar to the Monarch but darker; they frequent milkweed.
• Malachite: A large, tropical-looking butterfly with green and black mottled wings.
Host plants to attract butterflies:
• Passion Vine: Essential for Zebra Longwings and Gulf Fritillaries.
• Milkweed: Vital for Monarchs and Queens.
• Wild Lime: Host plant for the Giant Swallowtail.
• Cigar Flower/Firebush: Nectar sources for many species.
Notes:
Butterfly Conservation
Wikipedia
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife
