Racine, Wisconsin — An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) nectars on the flower of a Pink Delight Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii). Butterfly bushes have been very effective in attracting several types of...
butterflies
Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, tomato plant, Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin — An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) basks on the leaves of a tomato plant in one of our backyard garden beds.
Milkweed Bug infestation of Butterfly Weed
Pictured here is the original idea — purple Liatris spicata spikes paired against orange Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) blossoms in one of our backyard flower beds. Both attract butterflies, both are easy-to-grow perennials, and both have similar tight flower...
Red Admiral butterfly, purple coneflower, Racine
Racine, Wisconsin — Dorsal view of a Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) as it feeds on a purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). We saw an abundance of Red Admirals here in early July....
Monarch butterfly caterpillar eats Butterfly Weed
Racine, Wisconsin — A Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) caterpillar feeds on a Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) plant in our backyard flower bed. [includeme...
Red Admiral butterfly on Black Elderberry flowers
Racine, Wisconsin — A Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) rests on Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) flowers in our backyard.
Monarch butterfly caterpillar on Butterfly Weed
Racine, Wisconsin — A Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) caterpillar feeds on buds of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) in our backyard flower bed. [includeme...
Growing flowers from seed for hummingbirds and butterflies
Long story short: Since the experiment below back in 2007, we have decided that starting seedlings in windows is unwise. Because they bend toward the light, you have to constantly turn them, trying to keep them upright — and even then, they become too leggy and...
Black Swallowtail butterfly near Bong Recreation Area
Near Brighton, Wisconsin — A Black Swallowtail butterfly, seen on the side of Highway 142 at the northeast corner of Richard Bong State Recreation Area. [includeme...