BUTTERFLY HABITATS
A habitat is a place where an animal or plant species naturally lives or grows. Butterflies can flourish in several different types of habitat, such as wetlands, meadows, wood’s edge, rain forests, and even an urban garden. Unfortunately, many natural butterfly habitats are being destroyed by the elimination of weeds and native grasses from yards, chemical pesticides, parks and roadways, as well as the deforestation of tropical rainforests, the native habitat of the butterflies you'll find in the Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit.


RAINFORESTS
A rainforest gets its name because of the large amounts of rain that fall there. These warm, wet places are found around the world, and are home to over half of the entire species found on earth. Many species of plants, animals, and insects (including butterflies) have not even been identified yet. Unfortunately, rainforests are in danger because many thousands of acres are cut down and burned every single day.

RAINFOREST CONDITIONS, INDOORS
The butterflies in the Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit come from Central America, and the Lena Meijer Conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens is prepared. The interior is much like a tropical rainforest, able to supply these butterflies what they need to live. This includes plants, special nectar feeding stations, and proper heat and humidity levels. (There has to be more to add here. What about the bungalow? Pictures of the plants--something. Need input)

A HABITAT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
You can easily create an ideal butterfly garden in your backyard. It needs to contains these elements:

Adult food sources
In the garden, these are most often plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies. Most butterflies aren't very picky and will feed from a variety of flowering plants, though they may have a favorite or two. Other food sources include fermenting fruit, manure, carrion, and mud.

Host plants
Plants that provide a site for the butterfly to lay eggs and a food source for the emerging caterpillar. Be prepared for heavy munching on host plants.

Shelter
Woody plants located near the nectar plants will provide butterflies with shelter during bad weather and at night.

Water
Butterflies can't drink from open water. They consume liquids by puddling, obtaining moisture from wet sand or soil, or shallow puddles.






Different species of butterflies thrive in different habitats.

No matter where you make your home, from manufactured home, to a conventional site-built home, even a luxury motor home, Foremost and Farmers have the right insurance to fit your needs.