The more common butterflies of the Gardens with their preferred food plants:

Pashas and Monarchs in the Alameda Botanic Gardens

 The Alameda Gardens and the Rock of Gibraltar are home to two of the most spectacular species of butterfly to be seen in Europe. The magnificent Two Tailed Pasha and the Monarch are possibly the largest butterflies found in Europe.  In the Alameda Gardens favourite places to find Pashas are near the Wellington Monument and the Molly Bloom Circle. Males love to perch high up on trees, head down, waiting for other males or females to enter their territory. Other places to find the Pasha at rest are the lower bushes where their extraordinary camouflage blends them in. In the South African Beds near the Molly Bloom Circle there are Natal Plums that Pashas love to nectar on. Sometimes the Pasha will land on you if you stay too long and they are powerful enough to chase small birds.      Prior to the Bridge over the Dell on the left hand side there is an Asclepias bed where Monarchs can often be found. The butterflies cruise under the bridge and around the Dell. Asclepias and Lantana are favourite nectar plants for the Monarchs. They can also be found on the Main Walkway especially near the Telephone Box and sometimes alight on the colourful Bouganvillias as well.    

The presence of these two magnificent butterflies in the gardens in September is a key attraction for visitors to the Alameda Gardens.   

By Jason Sargerson.