Page 72 - School Garden Development Guide - 4th Edition

Butterfly Gardens and Academics

Butterfly Gardens provide excellent opportunities to cross
pollinate school gardens and academics -- especially science
classes! All people find the life cycle of a butterfly fascinating and
in the butterfly garden, you can actually see ALL the stages, that is
of course, if you have included the appropriate plants.

Host Plants, also referred to as larval plants, are where female
butterflies lay their eggs. Within a few days, the eggs hatch
and baby caterpillars are now visible. Like all babies, these tiny
creatures eat a lot and begin devouring the host plant.

Nectar Plants
Adult butterflies feed off of nectar plants. They use their proboscis
(their nose), like a straw to drink the nectar from flowers. The
length of the butterfly’s proboscis will vary depending upon
the species. Some are longer than others. When a butterfly has
a shorter proboscis, they will drink their nectar from a smaller
flower. Right about now you may be thinking, “I didn’t even know
that butterflies had a nose.” They do! When their nose is not in
use, it curls up beneath the butterfly’s head.

Curriculum Standards
√ SC.4.L.16.4 Compare and contrast the major stages in the life
cycles of Florida plants and animals, such as those that undergo
incomplete and complete metamorphosis, and flowering and
nonflowering seed-bearing plants. (annually assessed)

√ SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed
by animals and plants that enable them to survive
in different environments such as life cycle
variations, animal behaviors, and physical
characteristics.

√ SC.3.L.14.1 Describe structures in plants
and their roles in food production,
support, water and nutrient
transport, and reproduction. (annually
assessed)

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72 School Garden Development Guide - 4 Edition