Sunny, mild, calm
Hey, after all, this is a blog about nature, not just about birds. I mentioned yesterday that as we bird our way around Florida, we come across so many other elements of the natural world beyond the avian world. As I entered the front entrance of our condo complex, I could not help but notice the activity around the beautiful flowers called Lantana. Common lantana is a rugged evergreen shrub from the tropics and is common throughout Florida. It is technically an invasive species but has been established in the state of Florida for over 2 centuries. Wherever you go in Florida, there is a good chance you will run into Lantana.
Not only is Lantana a gorgeous plant to see, but it attracts a variety of butterflies which augment the beauty of this wildflower. Today, as I gazed upon the flowers at the entrance to our winter home, there were two species of butterflies taking advantage of the nectar of the plant.
The most abundant was the Great southern white. Very similar in appearance to our the butterfly which is so common in my home state of New York, the Cabbage white, this butterfly lacks the spots found on the wings of the cabbage.
The second butterfly to appear on the lantana tonight was the Common buckeye. Two fine species decorating the flowers of this beautiful Florida wildflower. We’ll continue to monitor the visitors of the lantana throughout the remaining month of our stay here in Florida. Anything new, we’ll let you know!
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| Great southern white on Common lantana |
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| Common buckeye |
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