Question
I live in Lasvegas,Nevada and today i just bought new plants Red, White,puple Petunias, an orange Dahlias, and a tomato plant. I or ready have a butterfly feeder up with sugar water and ripe cantalope. But what kind of buterlflies will come and what pests should I worry about with those 3 types of plants.

Answer
I admit I am not THAT well versed in the Butterflies of Nevada --- but here's someone who is:

www.thebutterflysite.com/nevada-butterflies.shtml

Frankly, I did not know you HAD any Butterflies in Nevada short of the ones people order for release after weddings and purchased for the fun of it.  Shows how much I know!

I can tell you plenty however about the pests on your Petunias, your Dahlias and your Tomatoes... But odds are, you won't have to worry about those if you don't spray for bugs and wipe out the natural predators.

Aphids are a real problem with Dahlias; Japanese Beetles fly around in the dark at night and devour leaves, while Slugs are just behind.  If you have Slugs in Nevada I will be quite surprised; they depends on abundant moisture, and it is my understanding (perhaps incorrectly) that you have very little of that.

Bear in mind, if you spray anything, even an organic 'pesticide', you will be dooming your Butterflies as well.

If you notice any insect populations that don't look friendly, order yourself a single treatment of Ladybugs, Praying Mantids, etc.'

I am down for the count now.  Let me know if any of this is unclear, or you need more information, and I'll be happy to follow up w/ you.  Thanks meantime for your note.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER