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Student Article

Creating a Butterfly-Friendly Garden: Essential Caterpillar Food Plants

By: Kate Bradbury
Originally Published in  Discover Wildlife

Transform your garden into a butterfly haven by planting caterpillar food plants that attract and nurture various butterfly species.

The article "Creating a Butterfly-Friendly Garden: Essential Caterpillar Food Plants" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explains how growing specific plants in your garden can help support butterfly populations. By planting food plants like nettles for peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies, and cuckoo flower for orange-tips, you can encourage caterpillars to thrive and ensure butterflies have a safe space to lay eggs and feed.
Student Article Info

BBC's Discover Wildlife brings you closer to nature with expert advice, conservation news, the best nature writing and stunning wildlife photography. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
3-56-89-12
Subject:
Science
Topic:
Life Science
Keywords
butterfliesgardennettlescuckoo flowerbutterfly habitat
A spiky caterpillar crawling on green leaves
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

1
Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 400-600L
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2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 800-1000L
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3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1100-1300L
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