California is home to a wide range of butterfly species, each with its own specific larval host plant requirements.
Larval Host Plants
Vascular plants that are required by the larva of Butterflies (Papilionoidea)
What are the Most Important Butterfly Larval Host Plants of Texas?
Texas is home to a rich diversity of butterfly species, and numerous native plants serve as larval host plants for these butterflies.
The Most Important Butterfly Larval Host Plants of Florida and The Lake Wales Ridge
The Lake Wales Ridge in Florida is known for its unique and diverse ecosystem, including several rare and endemic butterfly species. Here are some of the most important butterfly larval host plants found in Florida and the Lake Wales Ridge region: 1. Pawpaw (Asimina spp.): The Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) […]
Is Black Drink Holly Good for Butterflies?
Yes, Black Drink Holly (Ilex nigrumpotum) is good for butterflies because it acts as a host plant for butterfly larvae. Several butterfly species utilize Black Drink Holly as a food source for their caterpillars. For example, the Henry’s Elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici) and the Duskywing butterflies (Erynnis spp.) are known […]
How Many Different Milkweed Butterfly Species Are There?
The answer is that no one knows exactly how many different Milkweed Butterflies exist! The Milkweed Butterflies (subfamily Danainae) are a diverse group of butterflies that are found throughout the entire world, with the highest diversity in tropical regions. Here is a list of some of the most well-known milkweed […]
Should We Plant More Milkweed?
Yes, planting more milkweed can be beneficial for both the environment and the conservation of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus). Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs, and it is also the primary food source for monarch caterpillars. However, the loss of milkweed habitat due to […]
Sandhill Milkweed Success in the Gulf States
Sandhill Milkweed (also known as Pinewoods Milkweed, Sprawling Milkweed, or Pink-Veined Milkweed) is a species of Milkweed plant native to the Southeastern United States. Milkweed species are required by the endangered Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Its scientific name is Asclepias humistrata, which is made of the Latin humis, or “sprawling,” and sternere, […]
The Many Names of Asclepias Tuberosa
Most commonly known as “Butterflyweed,” Asclepias tuberosa might be the most widely distributed milkweed species in North America. It is certainly native to most areas of North America. Other names include “Orange Butterflyweed,” and “Butterfly Milkweed,” both of which are accurate, in that they are orange, and butterflies love them, […]