These are Atala butterflies once thought to be gone and endangered from FL due habit loss and specifically host plant destruction. In 1959 they were rediscovered in FL and removed from the Federal list of endangered species. They are still very rare and threatened by loss of their only host plant, the Coontie palm. About 6 mths ago, I started bringing caterpillars home with me from my mom's building. They had tons of Coonties and they were full of Atala cats. I pleased to say it worked. I now have wild born Atalas in my pollinator garden. These pictures are just 2 of the 5 born today. And, I have another Coontie palms full of caterpillars. So yay me, yay for the butterflies, and yay for native plants. Plant FL native plants, trees, shrubs, wildflowers, etc and lets save our pollinators.
a small Atala butterfly on a Coontie palm. The butterfly has black wings with iridescent blue spots and a red/orange body
a small Atala butterfly on a Coontie palm. The butterfly has black wings with iridescent blue spots and a red/orange body
Atala butterflies, a rare butterfly endemic to S.E. FL and the caribbean once thought to be lost from FL and endangered.
These are from my pollinator garden and they are 2 of 5 born today. See picture for more information on Atalas,
🌱 #pollinatorgarden #Atala #nativeplantsandhabitats
