Raising Butterflies in the Garden

by Brenda Dziedzic

Overview

A guide to rearing butterflies and moths in a butterfly-friendly garden.

This exciting title is for butterfly lovers and gardeners who not only want to create a butterfly-friendly garden, but also want to support butterflies and moths in order to maintain healthy populations.

Author Brenda Dziedzic noticed that there were far fewer butterflies around today than she saw in her childhood. Starting in her own garden she set out to learn why and what she could do to fix this. Raising Butterflies in the Garden is the outcome of what she learned about these fascinating insects and the native plants they depend on. In this book, Dziedzic shares the vast experience she gained in helping butterflies thrive through all stages of life. She shows readers how they can do the same — no matter the time of year or the size of their property — by providing all of the information and practical guidance they need.

The book features more than 500 color photographs showing the life cycles of over 35 butterflies and moths — from egg to adult — as well as the host and nectar plants they rely on. Each profiled species also includes a North American range map.

Featured butterfly and moth species include:

• Swallowtails — Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Spicebush Swallowtail
• Whites/Sulphurs — Cabbage White, Great Southern White and Clouded Sulphur
• Blues — Eastern Tailed-Blue, Karner Blue and Summer Azure
• Brushfoots — American Lady, Monarch and Red Admiral
• Skippers — Common Checkered-Skipper, Silver-Spotted Skipper and Wild Indigo Duskywing
• Silk Moths — Cecropia Moth, Luna Moth and Polyphemus Moth
• Sphinx Moths — Hummingbird Clearwing
• Tussock Moths — Gypsy Moth.

Like the highly successful How to Raise Monarch Butterflies, Raising Butterflies in the Garden is bound to become an excellent seller in retail settings as well as a popular reference in libraries and schools.

"There is no better way to develop an emotional connection with the little things that run the world than to nurture butterflies and moths from egg to adult as if they were your own children. With necessary details and lavish illustrations, Brenda Dziedzic shows us how!"
— Dr. Doug Tallamy, professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and author of Bring Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780228102250
Publisher:	Firefly Books, Limited
Publication date:	09/14/2019
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	279,972
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Brenda Dziedzic is a gardener whose life changed when she became interested in butterflies. She is now an expert on the subject of raising Lepidopteran species and has won numerous awards for her work. Her memberships include the Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association, Monarch Watch and the North American Butterfly Association. Among her many awards and honors are Master Gardener of the Year and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives. Her Westland, Michigan, garden has also been designated a Butterfly Habitat. She lectures widely and is a media personality on TV and radio.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Introduction 11

The Differences Between Butterflies and Moths 11

Butterfly/Moth Life Cycle 11

Egg 11

Caterpillar 11

Prechrysalis/Prepupal 12

Chrysalis/Pupa 12

Adult 12

Time Period of Each Stage 14

Range Maps 14

Parts of the Butterfly and Moth 14

Areas of the Wings 15

Butterfly and Moth Families 16

Swallowtails 16

Whites and Sulphurs 16

Blues 16

Brushfoot5 17

Skippers 17

Silk Moths 17

Sphinx Moths 17

Tussock Moths 17

Butterfly Gardening Essentials 18

Winter Preparation for Butterfly Gardens 19

Raising Butterflies and Moths 22

Swallowtails

Black Swallowtail 24

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 34

Giant Swallowtail 42

Pipevine Swallowtail 52

Polydamas Swallowtail 60

Spicebush Swallowtail 66

Whites and Sulphurs

Cabbage White 74

Clouded Sulphur 82

Great Southern White 90

Blues

Eastern Tailed-Blue 96

Karner Blue 104

Summer Azure 110

Brushfoots

American Lady 116

Baltimore Checkerspot 124

Common Buckeye 130

Common Wood-Nymph 140

Eastern Comma 144

Great Spangled Fritillary 152

Gulf Fritillary 158

Julia Heliconian 164

Monarch 170

Mourning Cloak 180

Painted Lady 186

Pearl Crescent 194

Queen 200

Question Mark 206

Red Admiral 216

Red-Spotted Purple 224

Viceroy 234

Zebra Heliconian 242

Skippers

Common Checkered-Skipper 248

Silver-Spotted Skipper 256

Wild Indigo Duskywing 264

Silk Moths

Cecropia Moth 272

Luna Moth 280

Polyphemus Moth 288

Promethea Moth 296

Rosy Maple Moth 302

Sphinx Moths

Hummingbird Clearwing 308

Tussock Moths

Gypsy Moth $$$ 316

Glossary 320

Useful Websites 323

Bibliography 324

Acknowledgments 325

Photo Credits 325

About the Author 326

Host/Larval Food Plant Index 327

Butterfly and Moth Index 333

Editorial Reviews

An indispensable reference book that should be in every naturalists' library... In this fantastic book we get a brief introduction to the author, who has been successful at raising over 5,000 butterflies... The pictures in this book are phenomenal and it is what sets this book apart from most of the other books of its type out there. They are all in full color and are crystal clear. It is so nice to see the eggs of these butterflies and moths in such detail and I have always believed that the ultimate field guide should have pictures of every stage of the caterpillars growth, especially since in many species they differ so much from instar to instar. I honestly feel that Brenda Dziedzic has now set the bar on how books on butterflies and moths should be presented. Though the text may be minimal, what is captured in the photos makes this a reference work that amateurs and professionals can both use, over and over again. This is a good size book, clocking in at 336 pages and is the perfect size to have with you out in the garden as you try to identify your visitors or to bring with you to the local nursery.

Dave the Bug Guy blog - David Albaugh

I appreciated all the tips she shares on how to attract butterflies to your backyard. And why it is important to plant both nectar and host plants. She also shares how to create your own butterfly nursery... If you like butterflies, you will enjoy this book.

The River Blog

This scientific guide to nurturing a butterfly-friendly garden is written in a very clear and accessible style and the author's passion and expertise come alive on every page... The text is reader-friendly and informative... After reading her book, I am motivated to do more to help butterflies thrive around our home. It's really not that hard, no matter the season or size of a property, and the rewards are truly a delight.

The Oregonian - Sally Peterson

I recommend this book to people who would like to learn more about butterflies and are looking for a go-to guide for identification at all life stages. The photography makes this a fantastic book to identify what you are seeing outside or to simply learn more about each species. It is a great first book for readers interested in planning pollinator gardens, a launching pad for further exploration into local flora and fauna.

The Canadian Field Naturalist - Tianna Burke

Dziedzic's detailed guide... Is written for both amateurs and more experienced butterfly gardeners, breaking down in great detail which plants attract roughly 40 species of butterflies and moths, including swallowtails, brushfoots, skippers and silk moths. It also maps out the life cycle of each species.

Detroit News - Maureen Feighan

Master Gardener Brenda Dziedzic has a 60-ft by 120-ft garden in Michigan, but has 30 different species of butterflies and moths visiting her yard! Her book is full of informative photos that provide detailed information about every aspect of the wide range of butterflies and moths.

Niagara Escarpment Views

This book makes it easy for even beginner naturalists and gardeners to attract butterflies to their gardens. Featuring over 500 photos of butterflies in all stages of their life cycle, this book has something of interest for adults and children alike. Readers will learn which native host plants attract specific species of caterpillars as well as which nectar sources are preferred by each caterpillar's inevitable butterfly. Hobbyists to Master Gardeners can glean information from this excellent resource.

Green Teacher Magazine - Julie Traveglini

Readers looking to create compatible environments for specific butterfly populations will find Raising Butterflies in the Garden a treasure trove of specifics packed with maps, close-up color photos, and how-to advice.

Donovan's Literary Services - Diane Donovan