Autumn is but a month away and we could not be more excited to get back to planting and welcoming visitors! We are especially looking forward to an end to the constant heat warnings and the torpor they induce. In the meantime, we admire the industry of the invertebrates around us and look for ways to make their lives in the garden more comfortable. Scroll down for a few basic tips. 

Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on mystery Buddleja in the August garden

For butterflies:

Look for plants that are native to your unique area of the country, plants that provide nectar, and/or plants that host caterpillars. Milkweed may be the best known host plant, but there are dozens of other excellent regional choices.

Though it is not native to North America, Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) caterpillars consider common fennel (grown most commonly for its tasty seeds) a delicacy. This summer we counted twenty-seven caterpillars on just five plants in our garden! Happily, these hungry caterpillars have yet to outcompete the substantial, resilient fennel plants in our garden. Both thrive! 

Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar on bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum')

Our favorite butterfly is the Common checkered-skipper (Burnsius communis). The sight of its big brown eyes and tufty blue hair makes us smile every time. After six years on the farm, we finally attracted a small population when the beautiful biennial thistle, Carlina vulgaris 'Silver Star', began to bloom.

Common checkered-skipper (Burnsius communis) pollinating Carlina vulgaris 'Silver Star'

For bees:

Everyone loves the honeybee (Apis mellifera), but it is actually native to Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia, not North America. There are, however, over four thousand species of bees native to the United States; New York state alone has over four hundred and fifty species! Many of these bees are ground dwelling, solitary bees that live very different lives than one might expect. To attract the largest number of species to your garden, look for plants with flowers in a mixture of colors, textures, sizes, shapes, and bloom times. Try leaving bare space in a variety of areas to allow bees to burrow into the ground. 

 

Butterflies and bees get all the attention, but there are thousands of other important, useful, and beautiful invertebrates.

For moths:

Moths are some of the finest creatures around from the cecropia moth ((Hyalophora cecropia) the largest in North America)) to the ailanthus webworm ((Atteva aurea) one of the few creatures that feasts on the horribly invasive tree of heaven)) to the fascinating hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe). 

One of the best things you can do for moths is to limit the hardscaping in your garden. They cannot live on bare surfaces like gravel, pavement, or decking. Next, plant night-blooming, light colored, and/or highly scented plants in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of the best plants include: Oenothera ssp. (evening primrose) with wide, often night opening, light colored flowers, Digitalis ssp. (foxglove) with long tubular flowers that make for nice hiding spaces, and Leucanthemum vulgare 'Maikonigin' (oxeye daisy) which can grow in just about any condition.

 

For hoverflies & parasitoid wasps:

Hoverflies and parasitoid wasps pollinate crops and control pests. Composite flowers made up of hundreds of tiny, individual blooms are best for these minuscule creatures. Look for umbel, flat-top, or globe shapes. They especially love herbs like fennel, mint, and yarrow.

For beetles:

Beetles are possibly the most important decomposers and predators on the planet. As decomposers, they are attracted to plants with strong, spicy, or musky scents such as salvia and angelica.

Green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) on Achillea ptarmica 'Double Diamond Pearl'

 

Learn more about invertebrates at Xerces Society.