The role of butterflies in nature
Butterflies are not only beautiful to look at, they also play an important role in nature. While drinking nectar from flowers, they pollinate plants. This helps flowers, shrubs, and trees to reproduce. In addition, butterflies, as well as their caterpillars and pupae, are a source of food for other animal species, such as birds. This makes them an indispensable link in the ecosystem.

The decline of butterflies
Many butterflies live in (flower-rich) verges, meadows, hayfields, and open forests. However, changes in the landscape are causing these habitats to disappear. Some areas are being used intensively (for agriculture, for example), while others are being neglected and becoming overgrown. As a result, the plants that butterflies need can no longer grow.

Butterflies also need multiple habitats. Due to their life cycle (egg – caterpillar – pupa – butterfly), different types of plants and locations are important. If these habitats are too far apart, butterflies cannot reproduce and will disappear.

Good news: you can help butterflies – even in your own garden!

Plants that butterflies really need
Butterflies use different plants throughout their lives. Host plants are the plants on which butterflies lay their eggs. The caterpillars that hatch from the eggs eat these plants. Without host plants, there would be no caterpillars and ultimately no butterflies. Nectar plants provide food for the butterflies themselves. The nectar gives them energy to fly and reproduce. By planting both types of plants in your garden or on your balcony, you help butterflies survive. And you get to enjoy more color and life around you!