Nature on the Bay - Insects & Butterflies
The complex ecosystems of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and Mobile Bay create a unique habitat for some 800-plus species of insects. Aside from the usual lineup—pillbugs, dragonflies, grasshoppers, spiders, beetles and centipedes—there are numerous species of beautiful butterflies that attract scores of nature enthusiasts to the Bay area each year.
The area’s abundance of butterflies—which come in every imaginable combination of colors—is largely due to the vast number of flowering plants that inhabit the region.
The Monarch butterfly, the state insect, is most popular. Others include numerous skippers such as the Long-tailed and Tropical Checkered; various duskywings such as the Wild Indigo; several swallowtail varieties such as the Eastern Tiger, Zebra and Spicebush; and hairstreaks such as the Southern and Red-banded. Also included are the Summer Phlox, Common Sootywing, Milkweed, Painted Lady and Whirlabout butterflies.
With its abundance of flowering plant life, the Hampton Inn® Mobile-East Bay/Daphne hotel grounds are a natural haven for numerous species of butterflies. The boardwalk over D’Olive Creek (adjacent to the hotel) is a great place from which to observe a wide variety of butterflies.
