Ontario Butterflies: Self-Propelled Flowers

The summer months, particularly as we move into late July, bring with them an abundance of life. Butterflies are such a wonderful addition to our lives during this time of year. It feels quite magical to have one fluttering around you or throughout your garden. However, if I am being honest, given the chance I could at best name five species of butterflies that we see here in Ontario, with the iconic Monarch butterfly being the first to come to mind. Did you know that there is actually over one hundred species of butterfly that can be found in Ontario? You can see a comprehensive list organized by family here, with the main families being Skippers, Swallowtails, Whites and Sulphurs, Gossamer-Winged and Brush-Footed Butterflies. Let's explore a representative from each family group.

Skippers- Family Hesperiidae

Arctic Skipper. Photo by Kristen Martyn

Swallowtails - Family Papilionidae

Black Swallowtail. Photo by Kristen Martyn 

Whites and Sulphurs - Family Pieridae

Clouded Sulphur. Photo by Shayna Hartley 

Gossamer-winged Butterflies - Family Lycaenidae

Bronze Copper. Photo by Kristen Martyn 

Brush-footed Butterflies - Family Nymphalidae

Monarch Butterfly. Photo by Kristen Martyn 

Some other favourites include: 

Painted Lady. Photo by Kristen Martyn 

Red Admiral. Photo by Kristen Martyn 

A great way to not only see more butterfly species on your own property but to help Ontario species thrive is to create a butterfly garden. An ideal butterfly habitat has the following: 

1) Food: seeds from plants, berries and nectars are all important food sources.

Add nectar plants including Black-eyed Susan, Ironweed, Cardinal Flower. Include food plants for the larvae, including dill, fennel, milkweed, and parsley. Milkweed is extremely important for Monarchs. 

2) Water: a water source is important for all life! 

3) Cover: you want an area that has some sun but is also sheltered from the wind. Trees and shrubs for roosting and cooling off are ideal. 

4) Places to Raise Young:  mature trees, ponds, host plants for caterpillars (such as milkweed varieties)

5) Lack of Pesticides: chemical pesticides are harmful to all beings (humans included) and refraining from use in your butterfly garden is imperative.  

If you are interested in having a certified habitat to protect these species, you can learn about the steps here. 

"Butterflies are self-propelled flowers" - Robert Heinlein 

I hope you take the time to notice the beautiful colours of butterflies fluttering around you this season! And just maybe, you will observe a species you have never noticed before. 

Warmly, 

Heather