Butterfly habitats
A habitat is a place where an animal or plant species naturally lives or grows. Butterflies can flourish in several different types of habitat, such as wetlands, meadows, wood's edge, rainforests, and even an urban garden. Unfortunately, many natural butterfly habitats are being destroyed by the elimination of weeds and native grasses from yards, chemical pesticides, parks and roadways, as well as the deforestation of tropical rainforests, the native habitat of the butterflies you'll find in the Foremost's Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit.
Rainforests
A rainforest gets its name because of the large amount of rain that falls there. These warm, wet places are found around the world, and are home to over half of the entire species found on earth. Many species of plants, animals, and insects (including butterflies) have not even been identified yet. Unfortunately, rainforests are in danger because many thousands of acres are cut down and burned every single day.
Rainforest conditions, indoors
The butterflies in the Foremost's Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit come from Asia, South America and Central America, and the Lena Meijer Conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is prepared. The interior is much like a tropical rainforest, able to supply these butterflies what they need to live. This includes plants, special nectar feeding stations, and proper heat and humidity levels. The average temperature in the Lena Meijer Conservatory is 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is 65-75%.
While visiting be sure to stop at the Butterfly Bungalow to view the chrysalises. If you're lucky you may even witness the emergence of a new butterfly from its chrysalis.
A habitat in your own backyard
You can easily create an ideal butterfly garden in your backyard. It should contain these elements:
Adult food sources
In the garden, there are many plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies. Most butterflies aren't very picky and will feed from a variety of flowering plants, though they may have a favorite or two. Other food sources include fermenting fruit, manure and carrion. "Puddling" sites that include warm, wet mud prove very attractive to butterflies as well.
Host plants
Host plants are plants that provide a site for the butterfly to lay eggs and a food source for the emerging caterpillar. Be prepared for heavy munching on host plants.
Shelter
Woody plants located near the nectar plants will provide butterflies with shelter during bad weather and at night.
Water
Butterflies can't drink from open water. They consume liquids by puddling, obtaining moisture from wet sand or soil, or shallow puddles.
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