The Monarch is one of the most popular butterflies,
many of which migrate thousands of miles each
year, while a large population of this species
happily makes Tampa Bay their home.
drier sites while Common Milkweed is the most adaptable and
fitting for areas that range from slightly dry to slightly wet.
Zebra Longwing butterflies feed mostly on Passionvines
and are one of the few butterflies that also feeds on the pollen
of flowers. The Passionvine is the Zebra’s host plant. It is easy
to grow and does well in shady areas.
White Peacock butterflies feed on Cosmos Bright Lights and
Pentas, as well as on Passionvine, all of which are easy to grow.
Their host plants include Frogfruit, Water Hyssop and Ruellia.
Gulf Fritallary butterflies prefer to feed on their host
Passionvine. However, they also will feed on the nectars of
Lantana, Butterfly Bush, Zinnia and other blossoms.
By choosing a few choice plants, you can attract several
species of butterflies to your garden. With a little effort, you
can enjoy these beautiful creatures all year long as they flutter
about the garden home that you have created for them. 9
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 107
The bright,
vibrant Gulf
Fritallaries
can be found
throughout the
state of Florida.