We've added a new HOST PLANTS category to our website that includes more than 100 host plants.
Native plants are tied to the successful lifecycle of numerous butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). Important not only for their nectar, many natives play the critical role of "larval host plant." Host plants provide food during the caterpillar phase that is part of the butterfly/moth lifecycle.
While trees tend to "host the most," numerous Lepidoptera rely on wildflowers, ferns, grasses or shrubs as host for their larval phase. Some deposit their eggs on one plant species, to the exclusion of others, as is the case with Monarch butterflies and milkweed plants (Asclepias sp.). Other butterflies might be less exclusive when it comes to which plants will host their caterpillars, but they do have preferences.
Caterpillar Friendly Gardening
Last year's leaves, grasses and "yard waste" play an important role in the bio-community of the garden and landscape. Many butterflies and moths over-winter in fallen leaves and spent plant material from the previous season. A light-handed approach to “cleaning up” the garden allows more butterflies and moths to thrive. Avoid raking the ground clean around shrubs, trees, and garden beds, as it can destroy the hibernation environment for the very life that you are trying to support.
A Few Butterflies & their Host Plants
Monarch
Host Plants:Any plant of the Asclepias genus, includingRed Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, Sullivant's Milkweed, Butterflyweed
American Lady, Painted Lady
Host Plants:puss*toes, Pearly Everlasting, Poppy Mallow, Thistles, Burdock and more.
Fritillaries
Host Plants: Various violets, Bird's Foot Violet
Tiger Swallowtails
Host Plants: Trees such asAsh, Birch, Chokecherry, Basswood, Poplar, Willow and Serviceberry
Black Swallowtail
Host Plants:Members of theparsley family (Apiaceae) including Golden Alexanders
Pearl Crescent, Tawny Crescent
Host Plants: Smooth Aster, Sky Blue Aster … Asters are hosts plants for Crescent butterflies.
Karner Blue, Melissa Blue
Host Plants:Lupine
Eastern Tailed Blue,Hoary Edge
Host Plants: Lupine, Leadplant, Canada Tick Trefoil, Roundheaded Bushclover
Gray Hairstreak
Host Plants:Purple Poppy Mallow, Roundheaded Bushclover, Rose Mallows, Sweet Fern
Baltimore Checkerspot
Host Plants:White Turtlehead, Hairy Penstemon
Columbine Duskywing
Host Plants:Columbine
Common Buckeye
Host Plants:Wild Petunia, Paleseed Plantain, Violet Ruellia
Frosted Elfin
Host Plants:Lupine, Blue False Indigo, White False Indigo, Yellow False Indigo, Cream False Indigo
Spring Azure, Summer Azure
Host Plants:New Jersey Tea, Steeplebush, Red Twig Dogwood, Boneset
Looking for More Host Plants?
We've added a new HOST PLANTS category to our website that includes more than 100 host plants. Another resource, our Planting for Pollinators Selection Guide, highlights numerous host plants.