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Butterfly Garden

Question on Butterfly books

14 years ago

This summer I started my butterfly garden and have already attracted lots of different butterflies. The problem I have is identifying each one. Some books are so general and don't include some that are found here on the Gulf Coast. Could some of you mention books you have found to be useful for Southern or Gulf Coast butterflies and caterpillars? Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

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Comments (7)

MissSherry
14 years ago
In my opinion, the best field guide is Butterflies of North American by Brock & Kaufman - you'll find all our Gulf Coast/Deep South butterflies there, plus others.
The best caterpillar/host plant book for our area, in my opinion, would be Florida Butterfly Gardening by Minno & Minno. Two other real good butterfly/caterpillar books for our area are Butterfly Gardening for the South by Ajilvsgi and The Life Cycles of Butterflies by Burris & Richards.
If you get these four books, I don't think you'll need any other ones.
Sherry
bama_gardener
Original Author
14 years ago
Sherry, thank you so much for a quick answer. I have been considering the Florida Butterfly book, but didn't know what else, since no one book can cover everything. I would also like to say how much I have enjoyed your pictures and information on previous posts. I lurk a lot; post rarely. I'm learning.
Again, thank you for the information.
Beverly
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MissSherry
14 years ago
You're welcome, Beverly, and I'm glad you enjoy my numerous pictures.
What part of south Alabama are you in? It looks like south Al will get more rain than we get here in southeast MS from the remains of Ida.
Sherry
biosparite
14 years ago
Brock/Kaufman is the best, but I do recommend you use it in tandem with Glassberg's Butterflies through Binoculars: The East. Glassberg has excellent text material on behavior and habitat that helps one make difficult distinctions.
bama_gardener
Original Author
14 years ago
Sherry, I am in West Mobile near the airport. Are you near Pascagoula? I was hoping you would answer my question since I think we are in the same area. We got quite a bit of rain from IDA and this morning there is lots of wind. All in all, I think we faired pretty well; also no power outages so far. Glad this didn't happen in August or September!!!
MissSherry
14 years ago
Beverly, my husband and I are originally from Hattiesburg, we lived in Gulfport for years, and we've retired to the country just north of Wiggins, halfway between Gulfport and Hattiesburg. The last time I went to Mobile the back way (past the airport) I was surprised how much it had built up over there. It used to be just "Bates Field" and woods! :)
Sherry
bama_gardener
Original Author
14 years ago
Sherry, if you come through the "back way" you sure won't recognize it now. The intersection at Snow Road is building up and they are in the process of making Airport Blvd. a 4-lane from Snow Rd to Schillinger! There has been a lot of progress in the last 10 years. If you come that way again, you will pass right by my house. And you are always welcome to visit. Glad you weren't effected much by IDA, we got lots of wind and I heard almost 4" of rain at the Airport.
Beverly

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