Be a Good Host

My husband quickly forgive the burnt repast when he add up out to see my caterpillar breakthrough . We identify the guests as pipevine swallowtail larvae . Over the next week we keep an eye on as the army of caterpillars devoured the pipevine , not whole down to twigs , but pretty significantly . It was worth it to be a nice host , though , especially when a calendar month or so by and by the garden was occupy with beautiful blue - grim butterflies . The next yr the pipevine plant returned unscathed , but regrettably we have n’t seen the caterpillars again .

The whole experience illustrated the importance of include host plant in my garden . The one I do have are there simply by chance — flora I loved without knowing their secluded bionomic superpower . deplorably , I do n’t have any milkweeds , the basal host plant of monarch butterflies . But after reading about several lesser - acknowledge aboriginal species in the late clause by Benjamin Vogt ( Fine Gardening#200 ) , I plan on shift that . Purple milkweed , with its brilliantly vibrant Battle of Magenta blush , is a new must - get plant for me , and I ca n’t wait to identify caterpillar conceal within its farewell . I also ca n’t wait to have another excuse for burning dinner , by from my poor culinary skill .

— Danielle Sherry , executive editor program

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