Feb / Mar 2018 E-news

Welcome to our February 2018 – March 2018 E-news

The Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly

by Nicola Thomson, Administration Assistant

I do love a slice of lemon in a drink on a hot day or drizzled over a salad, and also enjoy a good “tale”, so why not combine the two and talk about the magnificent Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio aegeus).

These large elegant butterflies can be attracted into the garden or balcony with any exotic citrus or a variety of native citrus from October through to May. The caterpillars eat plants from the Rutaceae family, approximately 40 different plants. You can buy exotic dwarf citrus varieties these days, which are easily grown in large pots as they have a dwarf root stock, perfect for small residences. Native plants such as lime berry (Micromelum minutum), a small fragrant native citrus tree and pink lime berry (Glycosmis trifoliata) or Australian finger lime (Citrus australasica) are also ideal…