Swallowtail in the garden: How to lure the king under the day folds!

Swallowtail in the garden: How to lure the king under the day folds!

in the district of Stade, which is located in northern Germany, there is a very special resident who makes the hearts of nature lovers beat faster: the swallow tail. With its impressive wing span of up to eight centimeters, this rare butterfly is one of the most striking butterflies in Germany and is part of the knightly fold family.

The swallow tail is characterized by its striking yellow-black patterned appearance, supplemented by striking red eye spots. The name of the moth is derived from the tail -like continues on its hind wings, which are reminiscent of the divided cock of a swallow. Despite its beauty, the swallow tail in the Stade district is not very common. In order to lure this moth into your own garden, there are some simple steps that hobby gardeners can follow.

life cycle and reproduction

The active months for the swallowtail typically begin at the end of May and last until June. During this time, the females lay their eggs on special feed plants, including carrots, dill, fennel and parsley. The caterpillars slipping out of the eggs develop in midsummer and run through several growth phases before they pupate. Interestingly, depending on the weather conditions, a second, smaller generation of swallow tails can also occur in late summer. These caterpillars hibernate as dolls to slip again in the following spring.

The adult caterpillars have some fascinating strategies for self -defense. At the beginning of their development they are colored black and resemble bird droppings, which makes them difficult for predators. Later they accept a green color with black and red stripes. If you are in a threat, you can put a striking neck fork out, which has a deterrent, especially due to its glaring color. Some types of these caterpillars are also able to separate an unpleasant smell that keeps potential predators away.

care and protection of the swallow tail

dr. Uwe Andreas, head of the Office for Nature Conservation in the Stade district, emphasizes that gardeners who want to invite the swallowtail into their garden should rely on suitable plants. "Fennel and dill are very important plants for this moth," he explains. Patience is essential because there is not optimal conditions for thriving the swallowtail every year. It is also important to leave dried up -to -nudes in winter, as the dolls of the moth hibernate near plant stems near the ground.

A natural garden that often looks messy offers not only a livelihood for the swallowtail, but also other useful insects such as butterflies, grasshoppers and wild bees. "A little disorder can save lives," said Dr. Andreas, "especially that of the butterflies." This simple but effective strategy can not only contribute to the promotion of biodiversity, but also design a varied picture in the home garden.

The efforts to protect the swallowtail and its surroundings are of growing importance, since habitats are becoming increasingly rare for these and other butterfly species. The beauty and adaptability of the swallowtail should be seen as a sign of how important it is to actively take care of the preservation of nature.

For detailed information about this fascinating moth and tips on promoting his habitats, allows the article by suederel24.de further insights.