@mongoose000

Fascinating. These studies of butterfly communities completely shatter our preconceptions around the respective  roles of native vs. non-native plants in disturbed ecosystems. Who would have though that non-native species are in fact more highly preferred for visitation than most of the native species? Or that non-natives fill gaps in the phenological calendar to provide essential source of nectar for insect species. The evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that butterfly species have already adapted to mixed plant communities. 

I listened to the questions and the impression is that the native folks are desperately searching for a loophole in these findings. That did not seem to be the case. Perhaps we can find inspiration from the butterflies and learn to adapt our own thinking to this new reality.

@nickib7883

This was super interesting!!!

@skub2

Great presentation!

It would be interesting to see if native butterfly populations are increasing or decreasing, even if they are using non-native flowers more often than natives as nectar sources in semi-urban/disturbed environments.

If their populations are decreasing, this may show that restoration efforts need to focus, for example, on native host plants for caterpillars without concern of reducing non-native nectar sources.

@jennetteoverzet2959

Borage was a gap in my blooming..I have natives throughout the year and  my large patch of borage sustained my huge bumble 🐝 bee s that visited all spring to summer as well my haskap early blooming helped as well

@Hayley-sl9lm

Accounting for differences seems so difficult for a project like this, like does floral area account for differences in floral density per unit area, I would think it would have to. I don't think one can compare an area of shrub to an area of bulbs, obviously a shrub is going to win in flowers per unit area growing space as it has a larger vertical space and ability to cram in multiple flower layers. Don't envy them that task that is a very complicated comparison to do. You'd need to find native/non natives of similar nectar value to compare. Also what other pollinators are present factors in, just from anecdotal observations, I have some Grindelia integrifolia that I saw honeybees trying to visit, and  but they were unable to while the space was dominated by Melissodes spp. that would actually knock honeybees off the blooms. Pollinators (I don't know about butterflies? --but bees certainly) can hold territories seasonally. Like I have some native Prunella vulgaris that a non-native wool carder bee was aggressively defending as well. And nectar toxicity? Like what if some nectar types may not be appropriate for pollinators in question because of their content of alkaloids or other chemicals. This is great I'd love to read the finished paper 😊.