Have you noticed you do not see as many
butterflies as you once did? It is sad
that we do not see as many butterflies
as we might like. You can change that
by planting a butterfly garden.
There are many reasons that we dont
see many butterflies. One is the
destruction of their habitat. Every day
more and more spaces of open land are
being used to build houses, apartments,
and businesses. When the woods and
fields are cleared, there is no place
for butterflies to live and raise their
young. Butterflies are especially
affected by land development. Because
butterflies and their caterpillars
require specific kinds of plants and
habitats, land development has caused
their numbers to drop. One species, the
Xerces Blue, has already become extinct
through alteration of its habitat. Many
more are on the threatened and
endangered species lists.
Another reason for the decline in
butterfly populations is the wide use
of pesticides. Farmers use them to
control the insects that threaten to
destroy their means of making money.
Homeowners use them to prevent the
destruction of their homes from
termites and the destruction of their
yards from the pests that eat their
flowers, grass and shrubbery. Many
places do widespread spraying to kill
disease-bearing mosquitoes. These
pesticides, while not targeted at
butterflies, do kill butterflies, too.
We need insects. Many plants depend on
insects to distribute their pollen from
one flower to the other. We would have
no vegetables, or pretty flowers to
enjoy for that matter, if it were not
for the insects that pollinate them.
Butterflies are important plant
pollinators. They, as well as other
insects also fill an important role in
the food chain. Many birds depend on
insects for food.
So construct a butterfly garden and
create the habitat necessary to help
preserve these beautiful creatures.
Remember, don”t use pesticides.
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