Like most of our native butterflies, the pipevine swallowtail relies on the species of one plant genus on which to lay her eggs. Aristolochia species [pipevine or Dutchman's pipe] are necessary for the insect's survival, but they are rarely found here. One species, A. californica, is native to the Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills, but habitat destruction has had the predictable results. And unfortunately, the vines are rarely planted in gardens. Though the flowers are fascinating, with intricate structure and coloring, the plants are seldom grown in the trade and can be a challenge for the gardener to find. Add widespread pesticide use, and the survival of this beautiful butterfly is precarious.
One local couple, Martha Benedict and David Klemp, have turned their garden into a sanctuary for the pipevine swallowtail and other butterflies. Not only do they grow several species of the pipevines [not all species are utilized by the butterflies, and a few are even toxic to their caterpillars], they have devised a system of protecting the eggs, larvae and chrysalises to ensure a healthy population of reproducing adults.
A favorite food for hummingbirds and other local critters, the eggs and larvae are especially vulnerable. In the spring, as the eggs are laid in their garden, Martha and David gather the plant parts with eggs attached, and place them in specially made boxes with screened sides. [The eggs are laid in clusters and are bright orange so are not difficult to find.] As the eggs hatch into caterpillars, more leaves are gathered and placed in the boxes as food for the growing young. Once this stage of the insect's life is complete, and they become chrysalises, they are moved into another specialty box, and kept in a shady location until the adult butterflies emerge. At this point, the insects are released into the garden.
Their garden is beautiful, but also carefully designed to attract many species of butterflies. Anise swallowtails, monarchs, Lorquin's admirals and gulf fritillaries flutter about with the pipevine swallowtails, and they light on the many butterfly-friendly flowering plants such as heliotrope and erysimum. Of course no pesticides are ever used.
Their garden is next to the Pasatiempo Golf Course, which is an Audubon International-sponsored wildlife habitat, and Martha has enlisted the participation of several neighbors as well, so a large area is now prime butterfly territory, meeting Audubon International standards.
Martha advises other gardeners who would like to attract, protect and nourish butterflies, and will sometimes even give a few butterflies to gardeners who have prepared a suitable habitat, to get them started. She cautions that to provide the care and feeding of the first three stages in a butterfly's life is a commitment that, once begun, must be continued. She says that to provide for the pipevine swallowtail, a garden will need enough of the vines [usually at least 20] to provide adequate food for the caterpillars as they grow, and that an area approximately the size of a football field will be needed for a successful habitat. She notes that several gardeners can work together to supply the needed space, with the vines planted in the gardens in dappled light, under oaks and other trees, and among other plants.
Locally, Native Revival Nursery in Aptos stocks a limited supply of Aristolochia californica. In the recent past, Cabrillo College Horticulture Department has sold the plants, as has Yerba Buena Nursery on Skyline Drive. If you can't find that species or A. gigantea or A. ringens in local garden centers, try doing an online search. Visit Martha's Web site, www.butterflyproject.org, for the latest on their efforts, plus hints on how to garden for butterflies. And next March, check the Web site to find information on their annual Open Garden, where you can see a successful butterfly habitat garden in action.
Garden tips are provided courtesy of horticulturist Sharon Hull of Lumbermens Garden Center.
For more information:
www.baynatives.com/plants/Aristolochia-californica/
www.nativerevival.com
www.cabrillo.edu/academics/horticulture/
www.butterflyproject.org
-Sharon Hull
