Atala
by Penny Lisowski
Title
Atala
Artist
Penny Lisowski
Medium
Photograph - Color Photographs
Description
FEATURED IN:
-Loving VAN GOGH- 10/03/2013
-Wildlife ONE A DAY- 10/02/2013
Atala is a very tiny but beautiful butterfly. And she loved these pretty red flowers. I love the composition and flow of this photo.The background is perfect. The detail allows you to see the pollen on her. The atala is a rare native butterfly once thought to be extinct in Florida. You can attract this extraordinary butterfly by planting coonties (Zamila pumila) into your landscape.
The atala requires coonties on which to lay their progeny. Most butterflies in their caterpillar stage will only eat one type of plant making it very important to choose the correct host plant. Plant a group of these low-growing native evergreen shrubs in a full sun location. This will encourage the atala to find your yard and stay there permanently.
Atala butterflies fly gingerly throughout your yard and will search out nectar-producing plants to feed upon. Plant plenty of lantanas (Lantana involucrata or Lantana depressa) and leave any Spanish needles (beggartick, Bidens pilosa) flowers. If you plan to add a small tree or tall shrub to your garden, consider that atala butterflies love the nectar from the small native fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum).
Uploaded
July 17th, 2013
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