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Butterflies and their plants are being studied
Butterfly gardens are becoming a favorite in home, as well as commercial, landscapes. To enhance this trend, Clemson scientists are studying the interactions between butterflies and their favorite plants.

One study is correlating butterfly visitation rates with the nectar supply and flower colors of Lantana, a common plant in butterfly gardens. Investigations include the relationship between floral color change, butterfly visitation and pollination as well as correlating the butterfly visitation rates with the plants’ nectar supply and flower colors. 

Another study has established an electronic database to document the butterfly population in South Carolina. While butterflies are often the flagship species for assessing local biodiversity, no database exists for the species found in the state.

This project is gathering geographical and seasonal occurrence data for the state’s 27 most common butterfly species through a cooperative effort with elementary and middle school students and teachers, as well as museum collections. The findings are available on the S.C. Butterfly Project web site and will provide the data needed to assess the impact of increased urbanization on the state’s butterfly populations.

Butterflies are great teachers: the S.C. Butterfly Project
(pdf 97 KB)  American Entomologist, Spring 2002, 14-18.
NOTE: The butterfly in Fig. 2 is mistakenly labeled the cloudless sulphur. The correct label is the clouded sulphur, Colias philodice.

For more information, contact Joe Culin (jculin@clemson.edu), Clemson Entomology Department.