The trees are sick

[Fearless Weeder]

Tallamy's book is not capturing popular attention because it isn't in the best interests of the mainstream gardening industry.

[trout lily]

I understand that the horticultural busiess isn't wild about Tallamy's book. But they weren't thrilled to lose DDT until Carson's book showed birds were dying and people got angry enough to stop using is chemical. We need to give a face to the plants people will lose.We need PR. People adore butterflies and many of their host plants are being crowded out by invasives. The whole butterfly metamorphisis is one learned early. Showing the butterfly not being to lay her brood; the catterpillar starving; the new butterfly too weak to get food. What other creatures require certain plants that invasives could wipe out? This could easily be a children's book.

[trout lily]

Whoops, forgot this part. The book would have the children talking to the butterflies about what plants they need.
And a title like "Butterflies Kick Some &x#@"

Sorry, my writing was getting a tad treacly I thought the title would get attention.

[Fearless Weeder]

The children are making the connections. It's all about education.

[trout lily]

The children's book could have drawings or photographs or both. We need a writer, a photagrapher, an illustrator, and an agent. Anyone in Wildlife Gardeners have interest in a project like this?

[Fearless Weeder]

We'd had considered a Power Point Presentation. This was discussed. Great minds think alike and there are many here. A book would be even better.

[trout lily]

Originally Posted by Fearless Weeder

We'd had considered a Power Point Presentation. This was discussed. Great minds think alike and there are many here. A book would be even better.

Should a new thread be started? I know someone who is a children's book illustrator; she'd be a resource. Maybe those gardeners who have children would have ideas about what books are already out there about butterflies. Would this idea be novel or already done? Butterflies aren't weak. When you look at the wings of some, you can see where the birds have torn a hole, aiming for lunch. Some butterfly wings have markings that trick predators by mimicing a poisonous creature. Other wing deceivers are tricking predators by markings that make it seem that the head is at one end, but it's at the other.
Other members have great field knowledge of butterflies, their host plants, their lifestyles.

A child's book would complement Tallamy's book greatly. Boy, I'm on a roll. Tallamy could write an introduction. He could sell the idea to the publisher of his book. Maybe a series could develop of how different creatures take on increasingly unfriendly plants. And, maybe using the example of the purple loosestrife eating bug.

No matter what happens, it was fun tonight to fantacize about a children's book on how butterflies build an alliance with native plants.

[Fearless Weeder]

How about an article for our future Feature Articles Forum A community project where we all contribute what we can.

[doccat5]

That's a great idea, FW.

[Fearless Weeder]

trout lily is elected Start a new thread, collect your thoughts, ask for help with photos and content.