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Habitat History
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Virginia
native plants
are used in the Habitat because they are beneficial to native
wildlife and, once established, use less water and pesticides than
exotic or non-native plants.
Spicebushes
have provided food for numerous spicebush swallowtail caterpillars,
while various
milkweed
species
provide leaves and stems for monarch caterpillars and nectar for
butterflies. So far the Habitat has had 20 bird’s nests and
has been home to countless numbers of black swallowtail and monarch
caterpillars, toads and tree frogs. Butterflies, ladybugs, praying
mantises and many other insects have also been living in and feeding
in the Habitat. Bluebirds have raised their young in one of
the bird houses. In addition, fritillary caterpillars have fed on
passionflower vine,
birds have been have been eating
winterberries,
service
berries
and various
seeds,
and hummingbirds seem to enjoy the nectar from
coral
honeysuckle,
bee
balm
and
cardinal
flower.
As the plants in the Habitat keep maturing and growing, we expect
more and more wildlife to visit or take up residency.
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