Caterpillars of Automeris io moth
I do outreach events for the local chapter of The Florida Native Plant Society. This is our busiest time of year as the weather turns cooler and delightfully breezy.
This past weekend we were at the local Home Depot, sharing our space with Audubon as we often do. I always bring a few live bugs or small garden critters to serve as a conversation starter in how to go about creating a beautiful wildlife garden. It gets kids interested in plants and keeps their attention while I talk to the parents about biodiversity.
I only had about five minutes to locate my “friends” in the early morning hours when things are wet and critters aren’t as plentiful, but I managed to gather a treefrog, a lynx spider and a white peacock butterfly, who was just emerging. Into their display cases they went with proper moisture and plant materials.
When things slowed down at the event, Larry, the president of the Kissimmee Audubon who is also a Native Plant Society member and I got to talking. He said that he was amazed at what I find in my yard to get the conversation flowing. He remarked that not many people could do as I did the week before and bring seven different species to an event without struggling to find them.
That hunt on a single area of Bidens Alba and some native mallow species took me about 15 minutes resulting in finding a praying mantis, two different butterflies, soldier beetles, a spider, and a treefrog. I added a grasshopper which I found on a citrus tree and I only stopped because I ran out of display containers.
Afternoon events are always easier to supply because the bugs are enjoying the sun and are plentiful. Our discussion continued in how planting for butterflies is good but having a lot of different plants in a garden to support all types of native insects is critical in being sustainable and providing for a more diverse array of wildlife.
Birds like all caterpillars, not just those of the butterflies. Consider planting some native plants that support moth caterpillars. You’ll feel less upset about the caterpillars being devoured. I don’t want to give the moths a complex by pointing out that some are not as pretty as a butterfly, but if I see a bird near my Cowbane (Oxypolis filiformis), I get a little uneasy feeling that perhaps he is eating a potential Black Swallowtail Butterfly. Alternately, if I see a bird on a Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) I enjoy the encounter without much concern that a possible looper moth is being digested. Ok, so I’m a little shallow. 
I guess the point is that not every critter is going to be something that you want to hug or photograph but they may be the food for something that you want to hug, photograph or observe in your own beautiful wildlife garden.
Clearly an onslaught of stinging caterpillars (Automeris io (shown above)) on an Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) can be a frightening encounter. But if you wait a day or two to see a fattened anole playfully running up and down the branches of the tree you’ll have expanded your wildlife viewing experience. And you’ll be relieved to observe that the majority of the leaves may still be intact. In the world of native plants, nature tends to keep a balance.
Loret is a retired, transplanted New Yorker. She resides on an acre of land in a rural central Florida community called Holopaw with her three sporting dogs. She is an active member of The Pine Lily Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society which encourages others to plant native plants in order to reap the benefits of a beautiful wildlife garden and avoid spreading invasive exotics into our natural areas. You can follow her on Twitter as @PineLilyFNPS
© 2010 – 2013, Loret T. Setters. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Loret T. Setters
All those critters that you collected in such a short time is amazing! What a lovely debut post! Welcome to Beautiful Wildlife Gardenchat
Carole recently posted..Creating an Eco Garden in Phoenix
Thanks Carole! Glad to be on board. You have created a great venue to redefine what truly is a beautiful wildlife garden.
Loret recently posted..Ceraunus Blue FINALLY return
Loret, taking those critters “to the people” is the very best way to teach people the value of biodiversity. Great job in finding a way to make a great learning opportunity available. Thanks for this awesome post and so looking forward to more!!
It all started with a single oak toad, the smallest Florida toad. I brought one “on a lark” to an event and the reaction of the children was amazing. The president of our chapter asked me to try and bring more live critters to the next event. Voila, a wonderful idea was borne!
I find now that some who were afraid of insects become less afraid being able to hold the display case and look at it up close. and that goes for the adults as well!
Loret recently posted..Ceraunus Blue FINALLY return
I’m shallow, too Loret! I don’t mind some of the less then lovely caterpillars being a good meal for our bird friends! gail
Gail Eichelberger recently posted..Bumble Bee Hotel
Our “shallowness” allows for wonderful biodiversity in the garden because we don’t try to kill off those that are less than pretty….just label them “bird food”. ☺
Loret recently posted..Ceraunus Blue FINALLY return
Excellent, excellent reminder article!
Your garden sounds fantastic, full of life in all its variety. It’s funny how we value the more attractive wildlife. I’m trying to value the wildlife that does no harm to the garden, regardless of whether it has a pretty face.
Loret, you’ve given me something to aspire to. One of these days I hope to walk out my door and find just as much variety as you did. Though, since my developing wildlife garden sits amongst a sea of typical non-native suburban gardens, I have a challenge on my hands!
Alison Kerr recently posted..You and I can change the world
Loret, my Bidens Alba have been growing nicely since this 2011 Jan, and negilgilbe number of flowers in all this time (now August). I’d like to know whether your B. Alba have flowered much.
Loret, just now I saw your reply to that question in the other article where I had asked it some days ago. Thanks.
You’re welcome! I appreciate your stopping by to read our blog.
Loret recently posted..Tribute to a Great Friend