ATTRACTING BUTTERFLIES

More and more gardeners are planting gardens with the express intention of attracting insects, especially butterflies and bees to the garden. A wide selection of flowering plants as well as host plants for butterfly larvae to feed on helps to accomplish this. Acraea butterflies breed on wild peach trees (Kiggelaria africana) with the caterpillars literally defoliating the whole tree during autumn. This induces a state of dormancy in the tree before a fresh flush of leaves appear once the butterfly life cycle is complete. Butterflies add a whole new dimension to the garden and afford wonderful opportunities to get a better understanding of the complex workings of Mother Nature.