A Gulf Fritillary Butterfly
agraulis vanillae
Photo credit: Walkingfox
Most Butterflies are active during the day, so
their beautiful colors are quite visible.
Many of them travel great distances to
return home and move on to the next
stage of their lives.
We have two Endangered Butterflies in Florida:
the Miami Blue and the Schaus Swallowtail.
A Miami Blue Butterfly
Hemiargus thomasi bethunedaberi
Photo credit: NPS
Most people who live in Florida treasure
the multitude of Birds to be found here,
but just as beautiful, though not as widely known,
are the many gorgeous Butterfly species
that we have.
Florida has the most Butterflies of any state East of the Mississippi.
Butterflies and Bees are our two most
important pollinators.
These two insects are critical
components of our fragile Ecosystems,
assuring us that beautiful things
will continue to grow.
Like Canaries, Butterflies and Bees
are also a reflection of the
well being or health of our Planet,
if it is in trouble, so are they.
A
Zebra Longwing Butterfly
Heliconius charitonius
Photo credit: State of Florida
In 1996, the Zebra Longwing was designated
as our Official State Butterfly and it can be
found year round in all parts of the State,
especially in the South and the Everglades.
It is a daily visitor to our yard here
in the Ocala National Forest.
Photo credit: Walkingfox
The only thing there seem to be more of
than Butterflies
in our yard some days, are the
Wildflowers that bring them.
Our Mimosa Tree is a favorite eating place not only
for Butterflies, but for the Hummingbirds too.
Photo credit: Walkingfox
What is the difference between a Butterfly and a Moth?
A Moth usually has a wider body and dull colorization, while
a Butterfly has a narrow body and normally brilliant coloring.
Moths are usually smaller than Butterflies, but not always.
But, most importantly, they outnumber
Butterflies 8 to 1.
The Endangered or
Threatened Butterflies on this site are:
April is
Florida Butterfly Month
Florida Butterfly
Fest
October 22-23, 2011 in Gainesville at the wondrous
University of Florida Museum of Natural History.
You must see this place at least once in your life.
The Butterfly
Rainforest
A
Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo credit: Dr. Emmel UF Zoology
Read how one person can make a difference
in reversing the extermination of a species:
Science Daily
Dr.
Emmel, the man and his missions
If you love Butterflies, please take your children
and yourself to the UF Natural History Museum.
This world class Museum is all free except for the
Butterfly Rainforest, a wonderland filled
with living Butterflies of every description.
The walls in the free section are covered with so many,
that it could take you hours to see all of them.
Places to learn more:
Defenders of Wildlife
Butterflies
Florida Department of Agriculture
Butterfly
Facts
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Butterfly
Viewing
Florida Museum of Natural History
The Butterfly Rainforest
Florida Natural Areas
Butterfly
Gallery
National Park Service
Biscayne National Park
New York Times
New Butterfly Center Goes to UF in Gainesville
North American Butterfly Association
Butterfly Questions
The
Lepidopterists' Society
University of Florida
Butterfly Gardening in Florida
Florida Butterfly Sheet
Walking with
the Alligators
Write to Gator Woman
gatorwoman3 at centurylink.net
Keep Florida Wildlife Wild
and Alive~
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Last edited
January 06, 2013
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