BUTTERFLY GARDENING -- LARVAL FOOD
The following is a list of common butterflies and their source food. It's divided into larval or caterpillar food and butterfly sources. Scientific names of both are included to make plant location easier and more exact.LARVAL FOOD
BUTTERFLIES LARVAL FOOD PLANTS
1. Pipevine Swallowtail - Pipevine (Battus philenor) (Arstolochia tomentosa)
2. Black Swallowtail - Carrots, parsley, dill (Papilio polyxenes asterius)
3. Giant Swallowtail - prickly ash, citrus trees (Papilio cresphontes) (Zanthoxylum americanum)
4. Spicebush Swallowtail - Spicebush, sassafras (Papilio troilus) (Lindera benzoin)
5. Tiger Swallowtail - Wild cherry, birch, ash (Papilia glaucus) poplar, apple, tulip tree
6. Zebra Swallowtail - pawpaw (Papilio marcellus) (Asimina triloba)
7. Monarch Milkweeds - (Danaus plexippus) (Asclepias)
8. Great Spangled Fritillary - Violets (Speyeria cybele)
9. Painted Lady - Thistles, bachelor's (Vanessa cardut) buttons
10. Viceroy - Pussy willow, plums, (Limenitis archippus) cherries
Other plants that attract butterfly larva include leadplant (Amorpha canescens), clover, hackberry, elm, plantain, snapdragon, nettles and willows.
BUTTERFLY GARDENING -- NECTAR SOURCES
Cultivated Flowers:1. White Alyssum 2. Blackberry Lily 3. Daisies 4. Lantana 5. Marigolds 6. Pink Live-Forever (Sedum alboroseum) 7. Pink Phlox 8. Purple Aster 9. Zinnias
Wildflowers:
1. Blazing Stars (Liatris) 2. Black-Eyed Susan 3. Boneset (Eupatorium) 4. Clover 5. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) 6. Coneflowers 7. Goat's beard 8. Goldenrods 9. Dogbane 10. Ironweed (Veronia) 11. Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium) 12. Milkweeds 13. Phlox 14. New England Aster 15. Spearmint 16. Thistles 17. Verbena 18. Wild Bergamot (Monarda)
Shrubs and Trees
1. Buckeye (Aesculus) 2. Butterfly Bush (Buddelia) 3. Blueberries (Vaccinium) 4. Hawthorns (Crataegus) 5. Fruit Trees 6. New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus) 7. Privet (Ligustrum) 8. Lilac (Syringa) 9. Redbud (Cercis) 10. Spicebush (Lindera) 11. Spirea (Spirea) 12. Sumac (Rhus)
Remember that butterflies are attracted to the flowers. Look for plants that bloom in the late spring and summer. That may be difficult for most trees and shrubs but there are some forms that bloom later. Check with a nurseryman.
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