It’s amazing how much we THOUGHT we knew about butterflies and moths, but we’re always learning. These are questions often asked by new members who come to our site:
'I thought butterflies only lived for a day… and that you couldn’t touch their wings or you’d kill them', or 'What’s the difference between moths and butterflies?' and 'What plants do butterflies need, besides ‘swan plants’?'
'How can we attract the beautiful red admiral into our garden?' or 'Why should I deadhead my nectar plants?'
These questions are all answered in the 'Create Butterfly Habitat' course online. The lessons are suitable for a big screen or your mobile phone.
Certificates are sent out after receipt of completed assessments.
Lesson 1: Typical butterfly – understanding metamorphosis (life cycle) – identification of the different parts of a caterpillar and butterfly – different species which can be encouraged in a NZ garden/habitat.
Lesson 2: Garden design to encourage butterflies and moths – making the best use of the space you have available.
Lesson 3: Host plants.
Lesson 4: Nectar plants.
Lesson 5: Challenges – pests, predators, diseases.
We will need your name, postal address, email and when payment was made. Pay into our bank account, Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust 38-9009-0654693-00 and email
FEEDBACK
Here’s a sample of feedback about the course:
'I have learned lots on the course, especially the sections on host and nectar plants and pests. I couldn’t believe there are so many introduced predators. We don’t really have many wasps in ChCh. Also the Garden Design section was really helpful. I really found the material beautifully presented.'
'Really enjoyed the course. Made me realise how much I actually already know.'
'As a former librarian and now a teacher, I can’t speak highly enough about the course – the links all worked, the structure was logical, supporting URLs worked, the layout of the slides was clear, images supported and extended my learning, sources were acknowledged and the cost was very reasonable. A course I will recommend to others!'
“A thorough introduction and reinforced much of what I already knew (without knowing it!) “
“The course is straightforward and has all the information needed about the butterfly lifecycle as well as how to plan a butterfly habitat. “
“I have done a lot of research for planting my garden for butterflies and I still learnt a lot of new information from the course. I look forward to putting it into practice as I start a new butterfly garden. “
“Very informative course, we have learnt a lot about how to invite butterflies into our garden. “
“Great introductory course to get you excited about creating butterfly habitat! “
“The course provided much interesting background information on the growing of butterflies and moths, their food sources and pests. It also included practical aspects of how to provide a garden that encourages butterflies and moths into my garden. “
“Fantastic! Very informative, covered a good breadth of topics, and materials were very well synthesized. “