Florida Butterfly Gardening
By Marc and Maria Minno
available
from University Press of Florida
Florida Butterfly Gardening is an authoritative guide to
common butterflies, plants, gardening, and hands-on, inquiry-centered science
activities.
The beginning chapters discuss in plain language the
biology, behavior, distribution, and identification of Florida butterflies.
The book is the first in North America to show the adult, larva, pupa,
and host plant for over sixty species butterflies. Beautiful illustrations
by noted wildlife artist, Diane Pierce, together with over 400 photos of
butterflies and plants make this a must-have reference for gardeners, butterfly
enthusiasts, and teachers.
The latter part of the book is devoted to gardening for
butterflies. Easy methods of planning and planting a butterfly garden
are presented, including nectar plants guaranteed to attract butterflies,
and plants recommended for wet, dry, or shady areas. The twelve hands-on
science activities are another innovation that will help teachers and parents
to use their butterfly garden as an outdoor classroom.
The book concludes with a checklist to Florida butterflies
and a resource guide to butterfly and plant literature, equipment, nurseries,
and gardens.
Who will be interested in this book?
Florida Butterfly Gardening is written for gardeners, butterfly
enthusiasts, and educators in Florida and the southeastern United States.
Dr. Marc C. Minno earned his Ph.D.
in Zoology from the University of Florida, where he studied the evolution
of skipper butterflies. He has also earned degrees in entomology
from the University of California at Davis and Purdue University.
Marc has authored numerous scientific and popular articles on Lepidoptera,
and two books on butterflies. He lectures across the state on butterfly
gardening, and serves on the board of the Florida Association of Benthologists
and the Southern Lepidopterists’ Society. In his spare time
he does consulting work on endangered plants and butterflies.
He currently works as a biologist for the St.
Johns River Water Managment District.
Maria Minno earned a Bachelor’s
degree in Environmental Biology from the University of California at Santa
Barbara and a Master of Science degree in Botany from the University of
Florida. She is co-author of the Handbook to Schoolyard Plants
and Animals of North Central Florida, and has written many popular
articles on common Florida plants and animals. Maria owns and operates
Eco-Cognizant, Inc., a home-based environmental education and consulting
firm, and serves on the board of the Florida
Native Plant Society. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fnps/fnps.htm
She is presently employed by the Florida
Museum of Natural History.
Florida Butterfly Gardening Home Page
If you have comments about
this web page, contact Maria Minno by e-mail at: minno@gator.net