You may have heard or even observed that the butterfly population is in a serious decline. Besides being a delight to behold - with their wide spectrum of color and design, they are an important part of our Gardening lives. They are valuable pollinators of flowers, theyattract other wildlife to our gardens, they are great providers of education to our children and they are just simply too good to let go!

Butterflies - sometimes called Flutter bys by the very young and Lepidoptera by erudite who know Greek for "scaly wings", have a life devided into four distinct stages.

* The ovaposits (the egg)
* The larva (the caterpillar)
* The pupal (the chrysalis)
* The winged adult (the butterfly)

Your garden should be a reflection of these stages and provide for the needs of each one.------

Mary Hazen LGCF, Butterfly Chairman