Snetsinger Butterfly Garden

06/21/2026

It’s easy to joke about how male bees are "only good for one thing". But on this Father’s Day, let’s take a closer look at how and why these fellows are an essential part of our ecosystem!
My Bee , My Choice: Because bees are haploid organisms (having only one set of chromosomes), bee moms can choose the s*x of the eggs they lay–fertilized eggs will become females, and unfertilized eggs will be male.
Who’s Who: Males generally have more body segments and antenna segments than females, and many species of males also sport contrasting patches on their faces. In some species male bees are larger, but in others, they are smaller than females. Since they have no ovipositor (egg-laying organ), male bees do not have stingers.
Moving On: While newly hatched female bees often return to the old neighborhood to create their own nests, males have no fixed abode–they sleep in flowers in a protected place.
Cruisin’: Many species of male bees gather in “congregation areas’ to wait for the ladies. In the case of honey bee drones, these gatherings take place in the air; in other species, the guys prefer to hang out on flowers or near nesting areas.
What Are They Good For?: Of course, mating is their most essential function–after all, without them, the population could not endure. And while they don’t collect pollen deliberately as females do, they visit flowers to drink nectar, and thus serve as pollinators as well.
So thanks, dad bees, for helping to keep our world turning–whether you mean to or not!
To learn more about native bees of all kinds, join us for Discovery Day at the SBG--Saturday, June 27th. Drop in any time between 10 am-12 pm for more fascinating facts!
Photo: Heather Holm

06/19/2026

How do caterpillars like this spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) protect themselves from predators? Join us for Discovery Day at the SBG to find out! Saturday, June 27th, 10 am-12 pm. Hope to see you there!
Photo: Matt Ford

06/17/2026

Why is this bee so happy? Join us for Discovery Day at the SBG to find out! Saturday, June 27th, 10 am-12 pm. Hope to see you there!

06/14/2026

Summer’s here, and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beauties of the season! Why not join us at the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden on Saturday, June 27 for Discovery Day, where you can help us hunt for breathtaking butterflies, colorful caterpillars, and creepy-crawly critters of all sorts. Drop in any time between 10am-12 pm, when Master Gardeners will be on hand to guide you as you explore the habitat. Suitable for all ages–just bring your curiosity and spirit of adventure. Discover the myriad wonders of the SBG!
For more information, visit our website: snetsingerbutterflygarden.org or email [email protected]

06/07/2026

What’s happening here? Many visitors to the SBG have expressed curiosity about our latest project. Answer: Sunflower house!
The SBG is home to many native Helianthus species, which are considered keystone plants–those that support a large percentage of food webs. The nectar and pollen they provide attract and sustain many types of bees, wasps, beetles and butterflies. In this new area, we’re planting a circle of cultivated varieties of differing heights that also offer plenty of pollen and nectar, as well as a broad flat landing pad for visiting insects. (We’re sticking with heirloom favorites such as “Mammoth” and “Velvet Queen” and avoiding the newer, pollen-less types.) Single-flowering zinnias will add color and additional resources. And of course, a stout barrier to guard against hungry groundhogs, deer and other predators is a must at this stage.
In past years, our sunflower houses have been a favorite with park visitors as well as pollinators. Stop by often and check on our progress!

06/06/2026

05/31/2026

Save the Date
When making your plans for summer fun, don’t forget the SBG! Our programs will appeal to curious minds of all ages. Join us for:
Discovery Day–Saturday, June 27
Mini Bioblitz–Satuday, August 1
Monarchs on the Move–Saturday, September 12
More info to come, or visit snetsingerbutterflygarden.org.
Take a break from screens and scrolling, and come on out and discover the many wonders of our natural world!

05/24/2026

Visitors to the SBG may have noticed that the meadow backing our demonstration gardens was mowed this spring. Not to worry–it’s all part of the plan.
Through the efforts of local organizations such as the Clearwater Conservancy, many in central PA are familiar with the importance of wetland restoration. But did you know: Like wetlands, meadows are also crucial for biodiversity. In fact, PA meadows have been identified as a high priority for restoration, reclamation and maintenance by the PA Wildlife Action Plan. Why? It’s not just about the pollen and nectar: Meadows also create conservation corridors–connected landscapes that allow populations to move, feed and reproduce across increasingly fragmented habitats.
But even meadows need a little management! Early-successional woody trees and shrubs naturally spring up in such conditions. While they can be spot-removed, eventually a larger treatment such as mowing is necessary. This also helps to control the spread of invasive species (looking at you, Amur honeysuckle!). In late autumn, the meadow will be seeded again with PA native species.
To learn more about establishing and maintaining native meadows, check out our recent podcast: Native Meadows with Paula Whyman
Photo: Jen Neal

05/17/2026

Need a versatile native shrub with excellent year-round interest? Viburnum lentago, AKA nannyberry or blackhaw viburnum, features showy white flowers in May, followed by burgundy leaf color and dark blue berries in autumn. These berries are a welcome late season food source for birds and mammals (including, according to folklore, nanny goats!) This large upright shrub is a member of the same family as elderberry (Adoxaceae) so you can expect it to spread and form colonies, making it a good choice for a privacy screen or hedgerow. It can also be maintained as a small tree by pruning stems and removing the suckers at the base.
This viburnum is a superstar host plant for the caterpillars of numerous small moth species. Such larval residents as pink prominent, hummingbird clearwing, and green marvel moths can all make a home here. The resulting bountiful buffet makes it a top wildlife plant for nesting birds who are seeking a good supply of protein for their nestlings.
Like other viburnums, lentago has “perfect flowers” (containing both male and female parts), but the flowers are self-infertile. This means that they’ll flower profusely whether or not pollination occurs, but poor fruiting will result in lone specimens–so make sure to provide a friend or two!