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THE STATE BUTTERFLY

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Pterourus Glaucus, was designated the official butterfly of the State by Act No. 319, 1994. The first known painting was done in 1587 by John White, a commander in Sir Walter Raleigh's Expedition to the colonies. The Garden Club of South Carolina has identified the Tiger Swallowtail of particular interest to South Carolinians because it serves as a pollinator in orchards and gardens. It can be seen in deciduous woods, along streams, rivers and wooded swamps and in towns and cities throughout South Carolina.


Butterflys of Chesterfield County, SC

BUTTERFLY GARDENING


How to Create a Butterfly Garden

LOCATE THE GARDEN IN A SUNNY AREA.
Butterflies and most butterfly-attracting plants require bright sunshine.

PLANT NECTAR-PRODUCING FLOWERS. Butterflies visit flowers in search of nectar, a sugary fluid to eat. Many native butterflies seem to prefer purple, yellow, orange, and red-colored blossoms. Clusters of short, tubular flowers or flat-topped blossoms provide the ideal shapes for butterflies to easily land and feed.

SELECT SINGLE FLOWERS RATHER THAN DOUBLE FLOWERS. The nectar of single flowers is more accessible and easier for butterflies to extract than the nectar of double flowers which have more petals per flower.

USE LARGE SPLASHES OF COLOR IN YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN. Butterflies are first attracted to flowers by their color. Groups of flowers are easier for butterflies to locate than isolated plants.

PLAN FOR CONTINUOUS BLOOM THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON. Butterflies are active from early Spring until late Fall. Plant a selection of flowers that will provide nectar throughout the entire growing season (e.g. Spring-azaleas, Summer-buddleia, Fall-chrysanthemums).

INCLUDE HOST PLANTS IN THE GARDEN DESIGN. Host plants provide food for caterpillars and lure> female butterflies into the garden to lay eggs.

INCLUDE DAMP AREAS OR SHALLOW PUDDLES IN THE GARDEN. Some butterflies drink and extract salts from moist soil. Occasionally large numbers of male butterflies congregate around a moist area to drink, forming a "puddle club".

PLACE FLAT STONES IN THE GARDEN. Butterflies often perch on stones, bare soil or vegetation, spread their wings and bask in the sun. Basking raises their body temperature so they are able to fly and remain active.

DO NOT USE PESTICIDES IN OR NEAR A BUTTERFLY GARDEN. Most traditional garden pesticides are toxic to butterflies. Use predatory insects, insecticidal soap or hand to remove the pests if problems occur.

BECOME A BUTTERFLY WATCHER! Get to know the colorful butterflies that visit your garden. They are easy to identify with a field guide such as Butterflies and Moths--A Golden Guide by R. T. Mitchell and H. S, Zim.

Plants

Native Nectar Plants that are Most Attractive to Butterflies in Mid-Atlantic Region: (ranked by relative attractiveness from most to least)

1.Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) .
2.Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
3.Swamp Milkweed (Ascelpias incarnata)
4.Dogbane or Indian Hemp (Apocymum cannabinum)
5.Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium spp.)
6.Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
7.New York Ironweed (Vernonia novaboracensis)
8.Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
9.Thistle (Cirsium or Carduus spp.)
10.Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
11.New England Aster (Aster nova-angliae)
12.Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens coronata)
13.Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
14.Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
15.Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Cultivated (not native to Mid-Atlantic region) Nectar Plants that are Most Attractive to Butterflies in the Mid-Atlantic Region: (ranked by relative attractiveness from most to least)

1.Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
2.Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia spp.)
3.Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica)
4.Single-flowered Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)
5.Single-flowered French marigolds (Tagetes patula)
6.Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
7.Globe amaranth (Gomphrena spp.)
8.Lantana (Lantana camara)
9.Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
10.Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
11.Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
12.Strawflower (Helichrysum spp.)
13.Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
14.Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
15.Peppermint, spearmint, etc. (Mentha sppc.)

Butterfly House Plans (pdf document) right click and save