Wait! Don’t reach for the Raid just yet. That black and yellow wormy thing may look like an icky pest, but the lepidopterist knows better. That caterpillar is a future orange barred sulphur butterfly.
At the Boyd Hill Nature Park in St. Petersburg, Fla., the butterfly lovers have identified dozens of species of butterflies in various stages of development. During the fall, giant swallowtails, gulf fritillaries and longtailed skippers surround the park. Cassius blues, fiery skippers and barred sulphurs entertain summer visitors.
In the average Pinellas County back yard, you may see one or two butterflies a day and two to four varieties a year. In the Boyd Hill Nature Park butterfly garden, you can see dozens a day and 56 different species a year.
More than 50,000 people visited the park in 2005. Most of them came to see the large attractions like the mama alligators nesting in the mud, the gopher tortoises meandering down dirt paths and the bald eagle and great horned owl perching in the aviary.
But look closer. Stand still and witness some of nature’s smallest spectacles. Great purple hairstreaks, American ladies and hackberry emperors spend their days flickering from plant to plant. Park staff scour the 245 acres of land, removing all foreign flora and fauna, to make room for native Florida habitat, which attracts the butterflies.
Ornamental plants and even orange trees must go because they are not native plants. Not only do these foreign plants take over the native plants, they bring in other butterflies, pushing out the tiger swallowtails and red admirals.
“Having Boyd Hill is a relief and it’s becoming more important every day,” says Robin Peacock, president of the Pinellas County chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (www.naba.org). “It’s very refreshing and nourishing. It’s just a treasure I feel very protective of.”
In gratitude the 2-inch insects soar quietly through the garden, flaunting their wings of red, green, black, yellow and purple.
“Getting to know them is like getting to know your neighbor,” says Peacock.
In 1985, a Boyd Hill Park ranger planted the butterfly garden to provide an oasis for the winged creatures and their enthusiasts. Many butterflies inhabit the park year-round, but some come and go as the seasons change.
The butterfly club helps conduct an annual count each May in Boyd Hill. Tim Adams, a local butterfly expert, directs the count. He also keeps track of how many butterflies have been spotted at Boyd Hill. This past week, he recorded the park’s 56th butterfly species – the sachem, small brown and yellow “skipper” that hangs out in the tall grass.
Maintaining the Boyd Hill butterfly sanctuary in the middle of crowded St. Petersburg is a challenge, Adams said.
“Urban development and the use of pesticides are the top two threats to butterflies,” Adams says. “Butterflies are very sensitive to environmental change around them.”
While the butterfly garden and Boyd Hill help protect these fragile insects, the butterflies still feel the effects of city development.
“There are a lot of small things that make a difference. Everyone’s little pieces of trash converge on to us,” says Linda Seufert, supervisor of Boyd Hill. “The biggest threats to the park and animals are trash and runoff.”
While none of the butterflies at Boyd Hill is on the endangered species list, some, such as the gray ministreak and the three spotted skipper, rarely make trips to the park.
But all of the local butterflies are cherished by the park staff and enthusiasts.
“When I first went to a butterfly count at Boyd Hill, I was fascinated by them,” Peacock says. “I had no idea how many there were and how much certain people care about them.”
Dainty sulphurs and zebra longwings provide solace for Adams. In addition to being the head butterfly counter, he enjoys photographing the butterflies.
Take a quick glance at Boyd Hill’s butterfly garden and it appears to be a jumble of flourishing plants and wildlife. But stop, wait and observe the surroundings. The monarchs, little yellows and spicebush swallowtails suddenly appear. They make no noise, except for the rhythmic flicker of wings.
The park exists so people can experience the delicate ecosystems disappearing throughout Florida, says Seufert, the park manager.
“Having the ability to enjoy nature right in St. Petersburg is great,” Seufert says. “We hope people realize humans can interact with nature. Whatever ripple you put in the pond affects everything else.”
As if on purpose, the butterfly garden is the first area of the park visitors encounter. Stepping out of the air-conditioned headquarters, heart-shaped Dutchman’s pipes and lavender milkweeds bloom on either side of the path, beckoning the butterflies.
A small yellow street sign marked “Butterfly Garden” welcomes walkers.
Swampy woodlands, Lake Maggiore Island and Wax Myrtle Pond are all stops along the 3-mile path through Boyd Hill.
A great egret squawks high up on a lightning-struck tree, small rabbits dart across the path. Alligators lurk near the water, mesmerizing those lucky enough to see the intimidating reptile.
After breathing the humid air and snapping photos of the wildlife, the nature hike completes its circle, taking hikers by the butterfly garden one more time.
As the guests leave the nature preserve for the civilized world, Horace’s duskywings and cloudless sulphurs float among the sweet goldenrods and mistflowers, bidding goodbye in silence.
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