BLANCHARDVILLE — Did you know that there are nearly 100 species of butterflies in Wisconsin? While many people are familiar with the lifestyle of the monarch butterfly, Wisconsin’s most popular and well-known butterfly; other species share the same space, however those species live quite differently.
On Monday, August 4, the Blanchardville Public Library, located at 208 Mason Street, Blanchardville, will present ‘Understanding Butterflies’ at 1 p.m. This event will be hosted inside the library, and not in the nearby park. Presenting ‘Understanding Butterflies’ is environmental educator Mary Nelson. She will explore the diversity of several butterfly species that are most common throughout the state, and will help you take the right steps to attracting butterflies into your yard.
As the Monarch butterfly tends to favor the milkweed plant, the second most common butterfly in the region is the Viceroy, which looks like a related species, due to the bright orange coloration. Similar in markings, the Viceroy tends to favor Willows, and is oftentimes mistaken for a Monarch butterfly. Another common species in the region is the Red Spotted Purple butterfly. With markings that remain more drab throughout its lifespan, the species tends to linger near the counties closest to the Illinois border, and have been found to favor willow, birch, and cherry trees the most; which provide shelter as well as food. The butterflies that also top the list include the several species of Swallowtails. This butterfly, which tends to grow to larger proportions, shows the most intricate display of detail. The Cabbage White butterfly, which looks like it was sprinkled with the same confections as a powdered donut, is oftentimes mistaken for a moth, living off of the wild mustard plant, common in this area. Most butterfly species tend to live near wooded areas.
A misconception of butterfly behavior is the popular belief that butterflies migrate south for the winter. In fact, only the Monarch butterfly exhibits that type of behavior. With sub-zero temperatures in the Midwest during the winter months, it is almost unbelievable that the majority of butterfly species would have the ability to turn on their natural internal antifreeze when temperatures start to drop, thus preventing them from freezing. Living in chrysalis or burrowing under leaves and the forest floor, it is fascinating to understand how other species of butterflies make Wisconsin their home year round.
Learn more about other butterfly behaviors, during the discussion at the Blanchardville Public Library. ‘Understanding Butterflies’ is a family friendly program geared toward learning more about the environment around us, as well as the many different species of butterflies in the area. After the program, meet the presenter Mary Nelson, as she looks forward to answering any questions that guests might have. While there, perhaps check out a library book to learn more about the butterflies that live in southwest Wisconsin.
