Butterfly Habitat

Today we set up the Butterfly Habitat.  Because we protect our blueberry bushes with a net structure to keep the birds from stealing our crop, I thought it would also make a perfect habitat for the butterflies that I raise -- dual purpose. 

The purpose of the habitat is to provide a protected area, somewhat free from preditors, to allow more butterflies to survive than the normal survival rate. Our yard is loaded with milkweed for monarchs, dill weed, fennel and parsley for black swallowtails, and rue for giant swallowtails.

After raising the monarch caterpillars on milkweed indoors in a 2 foot by 3 foot cage, they form their chrysalis on the inside top of the cage.  I transferred the cage full of chrysalises to the 4 foot by 8 foot by 6 foot high blueberry cage outdoors.  One of the female monarchs emerged this morning, which you can see inside. 

I've provided blooming flowers and sugar water nectar for her.  There's also milkweed blooming inside the cage among the blueberry bushes.  I'll keep the female in the cage only until a male monarch emerges from his chrysalis, mates with her, and she lays eggs on the milkweed plants.  I'll release the remaining monarchs as they emerge.

Last year was my first attempt at raising a second generation and it worked -- I was able to raise three adults from the eggs laid by the female.

Blueberry structure made into a butterfly habitat

Our first arrival and cage containing 29 more chrysalises

A female monarch was the first to emerge

Some of the other residents of the 2' by 3' cage

Nectar and flowers for food

Lantana -- a favorite of mine and the butterflies!

Common Milkweed inside cage beginning to bloom

Tropical Milkweed in pot on right, nectar in center yellow container, flowers in left pot