Resources - Online
Birds-n-Garden
This link provides an example of how to design a butterfly garden.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BMONA)
Click on "Map Search" then click on "Ohio". A whole list of butterfly names will appear. It's easier if you narrow down your search by county in the drop down box beside the map of Ohio. When you click on a butterfly name, an image will pop up as well as a map of Ohio with shaded counties where the butterfly has been "recorded" (or seen). Information on identification, life history, host food, adult food, habitat and range are also provided.
The Dawes Arboretum
Under "Natural Resources" is a "Plants for Butterflies" link. Here you will find a list of many plants as well leaves/stems host to specific larvae.
Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center
Step 3 of this site is specific to this project. It provides information about other items that can be added to the butterfly garden such as shelter, water, sunning spots, and high & low spots.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plants Database
Search this database by typing in the scientific or common name of the plant you are researching. Information about the plant's blooming time, color, height, and light requirements will be provided.
The Ohio Lepidopterists Long-term Monitoring of Butterflies
Click on "Ohio Butterflies" then click on "Ohio Butterfly Species". Twelve butterfly images will appear. If you click on an image you'll be taken to a page that tells you the habitat, host plant, adult energy resource, flight period, and other information. Note that these are only twelve of the possible 144 species that live in Ohio. To view images of other species, you'll have to check out other resources.
Resources - Print
Harkins, Susan Sales, and William H. Harkins. Design Your Own Butterfly Garden (Robbie Readers). Bear Delaware: Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2008. Print. - This fantastic chapter book will give you invaluable information when you're designing your butterfly garden. There is even a craft project that will teach you how to make a Butterfly Log Pile.