butterfly attraction

[Anne Kilmer]

David R. Britton wrote:
> 
> 
> Similar to what is happening with the Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera
> richmondia) in southern Qld.; it lays its eggs on the ornamental
> (introduced) Dutchman's pipe instead of the native Aristolochia vine; the
> larvae cannot develop on the introduced Aristolochia.  Fortuntately there
> is a movement to encourage schoolkids and others to plant the native vine
> in their gardens to try and establish urban populations of this
> butterfly.  I think (don't have the publications in front of me to verify
> this) that it was mechanical differences b/n the plant species rather than
> chemical ones.
> 
> Dave.
> 
> --
> David R. Britton, Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong
> Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522.
> Ph.(61-2) 4221 3436,Fax.(61-2) 4221 4135

that's marvelous. We're doing that sort of thing here, too, kids 
planting at parks, making green belts and so on. It's painfully slow, 
and the guys with the bulldozers are horribly swift,  but at least we 
have something real we can do. so much healthier than wringing our 
hands.
We're going for diversity of species; I worry about concentration on a 
few favored species at the expense of others. Unless it's an endangered 
species.
I'd love to see the folks in the Miami area provide habitat for the 
Schaus Swallowtail and the Atala butterfly, the Miami Blue ... 
fine-looking butterflies and well worth saving.
 Anne Kilmer
South Florida