Attracting the Butterfly
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DebbieTT
This weeks Topic of the Week:
Attracting the Butterfly
Butterfly Bush is fast becoming a problem child in our Pacific Northwest. It is crowding out natives in the wild. Some of us planted it to feed the butterflies. Because it is crowding out native habitat it is also taking away food sources for the butterfly larvae. Which means less butterflies.
I thought we could try to put together a good list of plants that we can replace our butterfly bushes with.
Ceanothus species and cultivars [California lilac:
Many are evergreen and get quite large, have beautiful blooms many that are blue (yum!) The shrub has a more refined look than the coarse looking Butterfly Bush. You don't have to prune them as heavily as you would a Butterfly bush. Plus you don't have to deadhead them in fear that they will seed around.
Spirea Our native species are important plants for our native butterflies. But there are also many cultivars of spirea that are a wonderful part of the landscape.
Holodiscus discolor another native shrub that has beautiful creamy colored flowers that the butterflies flock too.
The above were shrubs for butterflies.
Agastache Butterfly magnets!
Oregano I look forward to my ornamental oreganos to come into bloom as it gets covered with our cute little skipper butterflies!
Eupatorium Joe Pye Weed The American lady and Admiral butterflies really flock to this plant.
I know there are a lot more.
Here is my list of plants that are nectar sources for the butterfly. Those marked with * are ones I personally observed butterflies on the plants.
Abelia
* Achillea
Agapanthus
* Agastache species
* Ascelpias (Butterfly weed)
* Alliums
Allium tuberosum
* Anaphalis margaritacea (Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
* Arabis (Rock Cress)
* Aster species (Michaelmas daisy)
Bidens cernua (Beggarticks)
*Ceanothus (California Lilac)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush)
Cichorium intybus (chicory)
Cirsium (thistle)
Coreopsis (tickseed)
* Cosmos
Dianthus armeria (Deptford pink)
* Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower
Erigeron (fleabane)
* Eriogonum species (St. Catherine's Lace)
* Eupatorium purpureum 'Atropurpureum' (Joe Pye weed)
* Foeniculum (Fennel)
* Helianthus (sunflowers)
* Hibiscus moscheutos (rose mallow)
* Impatiens
* Ipomoea (Morning Glories)
* Kalmias (Mountain Laurel)
Lantana camara
* Liatris (Blazing Star, Gay feathers)
* Limonium (statice)
* Lobelia erinus
* Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
* Mentha (mint)
* Monarda species (Bee Balm)
* Oreganum (Oregano) especially: Origanum laevigatum 'Herrenhausen'
* Phlox paniculata
Potentilla canadensis (Cinquefoil)
Rudbeckia (Gloriosa daisy)
* Sedum purpurea ('Autumn Joy')
* Solidago canadensis (goldenrod)
* Spiraea spp. (Hardhack)
* Syringa (Lilac)
* Trifoliums (clovers)
* Vaccinium species (blueberry, huckleberry, cranberry)
* Verbenas
Some of these may need updating as some may not be suitable for our climate. Please point out any possible problem plants with this list.
You can view the list on Plants to Butterfly With
Debbie
DebbieTT
Just as important are the plants that feed the butterfly larvae. We can provide habitat for their young. If we can incorporate these plants into our gardens and look the other way when it comes to them munching the plants we also attract the butterflies into our garden.
Here is my list of plants and the butterflies that need these as a food source while young. You can also view the entire list on Host Plants for the Caterpillar.
Abies species -- True Firs -- Pine White
Abutilon -- Flowering maple -- Common Checkered-Skipper
Agropyron -- Wheatgrass -- Woodland Skipper
Agrostis -- Bent Grass -- Common Roadside-Skipper
Alnus rubra -- Red Alder -- Pale Swallowtail, Green Comma
Althea --Hollyhock -- Painted Lady, West Coast Lady, Common Checkered-Skipper
Amaranthus --Amaranths -- Common Sootywing
Amorpha species -- False Indigo -- Silver-spotted Skipper
Anaphalis margaritacea -- Pearly Everlasting -- American Lady
Andropogon -- Beardgrass -- Common Branded Skipper
Androsace septentionalis -- Arctic Blue
Antennaria plantaginifolia -- Plantain-leaved Pussy Toes -- American Lady
Apiaceae species (Parsley family) -- Old World Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail, Indra Swallowtail
Arbutus -- Brown Elfin
Arceuthobium campylopodum -- Dwarf Mistletoes -- Thicket Hairstreak, Johnson's Hairstreak
Arctium -- Burdock -- American Lady
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi -- Bearberry -- Hoary Elfin
Artemisia -- Wormwood -- American Lady
Artemisia arctica -- Old World Swallowtail
Asclepius incarnata, A. speciosa, A. syriaca -- Monarch
Asters -- Old World Swallowtail, Hoffman's Checkerspot, Field Crescent
Astragalus tridactylicus -- Milkvetch -- Western-tailed Blue, Arrowhead Blue, Silvery Blue,
Northern Blue, Acmon Blue
Avena -- Wild Oats -- Common Roadside-Skipper
Besseya -- Variable Checkerspot
Betula species -- Birch -- Dreamy Duskywing
Betula lenta -- Black Birch -- Green Comma
Betula papyrifera -- Paper Birch -- Compton Tortoiseshell, Mourning Cloak
Betula populifolia -- Gray Birch -- Compton Tortoiseshell
Boehmeria cylindrica -- False Nettle -- Red Admiral
Bromus rubens -- Juba Skipper, Common Branded Skipper
Calamagrostis purpurascens -- Purple Reedgrass -- Arctic Skipper
Callirhoe -- Poppy Mallow -- Common Checkered-Skipper
Calocedrus decurrens -- Incense Cedar -- Nelson's Hairstreak
Carex bigelowii -- Sedge -- Melissa Arctic
Carex heliophila -- Sun Sedge -- Dun Skipper
Carex Rupestris -- Melissa Arctic
Ceanothus species -- Hedgerow Hairstreak, Bramble Green Hairstreak, California Tortoiseshell
Ceanothus americana -- Spring Azure
Ceanothus cordulatus -- Mountain Whitethorn -- Pacuvius Duskywing
Ceanothus fendleri -- Deer Brier -- Pacuvius Duskywing
Ceanothus oliganthus -- Hairy Ceanothus -- Pacuvius Duskywing
Celosia -- Cockscomb -- Common Sootywing
Celtis occidentalis -- Hackberry -- Mourning Cloak
Chasmanthium latifolia -- Indian Woodoats Grass -- Common Roadside-Skipper
Chenopodium album -- Lambsquarters -- Common Sootywing
Cirsium -- Native Thistles -- Mylitta Crescent, Painted Lady
Collinsia -- Chinese Houses -- Spring Azure, Edith's Checkerspot
Cornus florida -- Dogwood -- Spring Azure
Cuscuta -- Dodder -- Brown Elfin
Cynodon dactylon -- Bermuda grass -- Sachem, Woodland Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper
Cyperus esculentus -- Chufa flatsedge -- Dun Skipper
Danthonia spicata -- Poverty Oat-grass -- Chryxus Artic
Deschampsia elongata -- Slender Hairgrass -- Juba Skipper
Desmodium -- Beggar's Ticks -- Northern Cloudywing
Diapensia lapponica -- Arctic Blue
Dicentra uniflora -- Clodius Parnassian
Dicentra formosa -- Clodius Parnassian
Dicentra pauciflora -- Clodius Parnassian
Dodecatheon -- Shooting Star -- Arctic Blue
Dudleya -- Moss Elfin
Eleusine -- Goosegrass -- Sachem
Elymus --Wildrye -- Woodland Skipper
Epigaea repens -- Trailing Arbutus -- Hoary Elfin
Ericaceae -- Heath -- Mariposa Copper, Northern Blue
Eriogonum species -- Blue Copper, Bramble Green Hairstreak, Square-spotted Blue, Dotted Blue, Acmon Blue
Eriogonum fasciculatum -- Flat Top -- Lupine Blue
Eriogonum umbellatum -- Sulfur Flower -- Lupine Blue
Festuca species -- Fescues -- Common Branded Skipper
Festuca idahoensis -- Idaho fescue -- Sonora Skipper
Fragaria virginiana -- Wild strawberry -- Grizzled Skipper
Fraxinus -- Ash -- Western Tiger Swallowtail, Two-tailed Swallowtail
Gleditsia triacanthos -- honey locust -- Silver-spotted Skipper
Glycyrrhiza species -- herbaceous legumes -- Silver-spotted Skipper
Gnaphalium obtusifolium -- sweet everlasting -- American Lady
Hedysarum -- sweet vetch -- Western Sulphur, Northern Blue
Horkelia bolanderi clevelandii -- Cleveland's horkelia -- Two-banded Checkered-Skipper
Horkelia fusca -- dusky horkelia -- Two-banded Checkered-Skipper
Horkelia tenuiloba -- Santa Rosa horkelia -Two-banded Checkered-Skipper
Hosackia -- lotus - Northern Cloudywing
Humulus -- hops -- Red Admiral
Laportea canadensis -- Wood Nettle -- Red Admiral
Lathyrus -- vetches -- Western-tailed Blue, Silvery Blue
Lavatera -- Tree Mallow -- West Coast Lady
Ledum groenlandicum -- Labrador Tea -- Brown Elfin
Lespedeza -- Bush Clover -- Northern Cloudywing
Lithocarpus densiflorus -- Tan Oak - Golden Hairstreak
Lonicera -- Honeysuckle -- Variable Checkerspot
Lotus species Bramble -- Green Hairstreak, Silvery Blue, Acmon Blue, Persius Duskywing
Lupinus -- Lupines -- Western Sulphur, Arrowhead Blue, Silvery Blue, Boisduval's Blue, Acmon Blue, Persius Duskywing
Machaeranthera species -- Field Crescent
Malva -- Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Common Checkered-Skipper
Malvastrum -- Bush Mallow -- West Coast Lady
Medicago sativa -- Alfalfa -- Clouded Sulphur
Melilotus alba -- White Sweet Clover -- Western Sulphur, Silvery Blue
Menziesia glabella -- Mock Azalea -- Hoary Comma
Orthocarpus -- Owl's Clover -- Edith's Checkerspot
Oxytropis -- Crazyweed -- Western-tailed Blue, Silvery Blue
Parietoria pennsylvanica -- Pellitory Red Admiral
Parvisedum Moss' -- Elfin
Pedicularis -- Lousewort -- Edith's Checkerspot
Penstemon -- Beardtongues -- Variable Checkerspot, Edith's Checkerspot
Petroselinum -- Parsley -- Old World Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail
Phalaris -- Canary Grass -- Woodland Skipper
Phaseolus -- Beans -- Gray Hairstreak
Pinus species -- Pine White
Pinus contorta -- Lodgepole Pine -- Western Pine Elfin
Pinus flexilis -- Limber Pine -- Western Pine Elfin
Pinus ponderosa -- Ponderosa Pine -- Western Pine Elfin
Pipturus albidus -- Mamaki -- Red Admiral
Pisum sativum -- Pea -- Clouded Sulphur
Plantago -- Plantain -- Edith's Checkerspot
Poa pratensis -- Skipper, Common Branded Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper
Polygonum species -- Knotweeds -- Purplish Copper
Polygonum bistortoides -- False Bistort -- Titania Fritillary
Polygonum douglasii -- Douglas' Knotweed -- Lilac-bordered Copper
Polygonum viviparum -- Alpine Smartweed -- Titania Fritillary
Populus -- Poplar -- Dreamy Duskywing
Populus deltoides -- Cottonwood -- Western Tiger Swallowtail, Compton Tortoiseshell, Mourning Cloak, Lorquin's Admiral
Populus Tremuloides -- Aspen -- Western Tiger Swallowtail, Compton Tortoiseshell, Mourning Cloak, Lorquin's Admiral, Dreamy Duskywing
Potentilla species -- Purplish Copper
Potentilla canadensis -- Canadian Cinquefoil -- Grizzled Skipper
Potentilla diversifolia -- Varileaf Cinquefoil -- Grizzled Skipper
Potentilla drummondii -- Drummond's Potentilla -- Two-banded Checkered-Skipper
Prunus -- Chokecherry -- Two-tailed Swallowtail
Prunus -- Wild Cherry -Western Tiger Swallowtail, Lorquin's Admiral
Prunus emarginata -- Cherry -- Pale Swallowtail
Pseudotsuga menziesii -- Douglas-fir -- Pine White
Ptelea -- Hop tree --Two-tailed Swallowtail
Quercus species -- California Sister
Quercus agrifolia --Coast Live oak -- Propertius Duskywing
Quercus chrysolepis -- Canyon Live oak -- Golden Hairstreak
Quercus garryana -- Garry oak -- Propertius Duskywing
Quercus vaccinifolia -- Golden Hairstreak
Rhamnus californica -- Coffeeberry -- Pale Swallowtail
Rhododendron occidentale -- Western Azalea -- Green Comma, Hoary Comma
Ribes -- Gooseberry, Flowering Currant -- Green Comma, Hoary Comma, Oreas Comma
Robinia pseudacacia -- Black Locust -- Silver-spotted Skipper
Rubus chamaemorus -- Cloudberry -- Grizzled Skipper
Rumex -- Docks -- Purplish Copper
Rumex pauciflorus -- Alpine Sorrel -- Lustrous Copper
Salix species -- Sylvan Hairstreak, Titania Fritillary, Compton Tortoiseshell, Lorquin's Admiral, Dreamy Duskywing
Salix babylonica -- Weeping Willow -- Mourning Cloak
Salix humilis --Pussy Willow -- Green Comma
Salix nigra -- Black Willow -- Mourning Cloak
Salix sericea -- Silky Willow -- Mourning Cloak
Saxifraga bronchialis -- Spotted Saxifrage -- Astarte Fritillary
Sedella -- Moss' Elfin
Sedums -- Moss' Elfin, Rocky Mountain Parnassian
Sida -- Alkali Mallow -- West Coast Lady, Common Checkered-Skipperi
Sidalcea -- West Coast Lady
Silybum marianum -- Mylitta Crescent
Sphaeralcea -- Globe mallows -- West Coast Lady, Common Checkered-Skipper
Spiraea salicifolia -- Meadowsweet -- Spring Azure
Stenotaphrum secundatum -- St. Augustine grass -- Sachem
Stipa -- Needlegrass -- Juba Skipper, Common Branded Skipper
Symphoricarpos -- Snowberry -- Variable Checkerspot
Thermopsis rhombifolia -- Mountain False -- Lupine Western-tailed Blue
Thermopsis villosa -- Carolina lupine -- Persius Duskywing
Tridens flavus -- Purpletop -- Common Wood Nymph
Trifolium -- Hairstreak, Greenish Blue, Northern Cloudywing
Trifolium hybridum -- Alsike -- Greenish Blue
Trifolium repens -- White Clover -- Clouded Sulphur
Ulmus americana -- American Elm -- Mourning Cloak
Urtica species -- Nettles -- Satyr Comma
Urtica dioica -- Stinging Nettle -- Milbert's Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral
Urtica gracilis -- Tall Wild Nettle -- Red Admiral
Urtica procera -- Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Vaccinium species -- Pink-edged Sulphur, Mariposa Copper
Vaccinium vacillans -- Brown Elfin
Vernonia -- Ironweed -- American Lady
Vicia angustifolia -- vetch -- Western Sulphur, Western-tailed Blue, Silvery Blue
Viola species -- Great Spangled Fritillary, Titania Fritillary
Viola adunca -- Zerene Fritillary, Atlantis Fritillary, Hydaspe Fritillary, Mormon Fritillary
Viola beckwithii -- Coronis Fritillary, Callippe Fritillary
Viola canadensis -- Atlantis Fritillary
Viola cuneata -- Zerene Fritillary
Viola douglasii -- Coronis Fritillary, Callippe Fritillary
Viola glabella -- Hydaspe Fritillary, Pacific Fritillary
Viola lobata -- Zerene Fritillary
Viola nephrophylla -- Atlantis Fritillary, Mormon Fritillary
Viola nuttallii -- Coronis Fritillary, Zerene Fritillary, Callippe Fritillary, Hydaspe Fritillary, Mormon Fritillary
Viola ocellata -- Pacific Fritillary
Viola orbiculata -- Hydaspe Fritillary
Viola palustris -- Mormon Fritillary
Viola pedunculata -- Callippe Fritillary
Viola purpurea -- Coronis Fritillary, Zerene Fritillary, Callippe Fritillary, Atlantis Fritillary, Hydaspe Fritillary
Viola sempervirens -- Pacific Fritillary
Viola septentrionalis -- Atlantis Fritillary
Lisa A
Wowza, Debbie, you provided a ton of info for us! Thanks!
I'm almost done with my article - I'll get it posted later today.
Lisa A
Once upon a time (no, I'm not going to tell you about a fairy princess but this is a happy-ever-after tale) I thought all I needed for a butterfly garden was flowers, particularly flat-headed flowers, which provide stable footing for butterflies to land and sip nectar. In return, the butterflies added beauty to my garden and served as important pollinators for my plants. As a friend likes to say, "A well pollinated plant is a happy plant." But that's only half of the picture when it comes to butterfly gardening and too often, the only part of the picture addressed. It's as if the other half, the voracious caterpillar stage from which butterflies metamorphose, is forgotten. I guess it’s just not flashy enough, more like the before picture of an extreme make-over show.
One of the most crucial pieces of information I've learned has to be the relationship between plants and caterpillars. Plants can not get up and walk away when a predator threatens so they have developed unique ways to protect themselves from being eaten, usually by producing toxins. For the most part it works, but because a region's plants and butterflies have evolved together, natural defenses can be rendered ineffective, giving these plants a new role as host plants. This job is highly specialized; plant toxins are not universal between plants. For instance, the toxins in Western bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa and Eastern bleeding heart, D. eximia are not the same. To our eye, the plants look very similar but to the Clodius parnassian butterfly, one (the Western bleeding heart) is dinner, the other is poison. This often means that one plant family, genus or one species will serve as host plants. Depending on the butterflies’ ability to adapt to and tolerate plants’ toxins, the butterflies are grouped as extreme specialists (only use 1 or 2 host plants), specialists and generalists (can use the widest variety of plants). Most butterflies fall into the extreme specialist and specialist categories. Clodius parnassian is an extreme specialist, Monarch butterflies are specialists and Western swallowtails are generalists.
Since I hate to think of these poor butterflies searching high and low for food for their young (and I thought I had a hard time feeding my children!), I include host plants in my garden. I’ve also learned to tolerate, and even to look forward to, chewed leaves on plants because it often signals that my garden is home to caterpillars and butterflies. While many plants will serve as host plants, natives have an edge over non-natives when it comes to feeding caterpillars, particularly for extreme specialist and specialist butterflies (remember they have, in a manner of speaking, grown up together.)
While the adage, “if you build it, he will come” is true for butterfly gardening, it is also true that you can only attract what is already in your area. For instance, while I’d love to have Monarchs frequent my garden, I know they are not in abundance in the Portland area (their flight patterns often take them up the other side of the Cascades once they are past the Eugene area). According to information provided by Eric Wold, President of the Eugene-Springfield chapter of the American Butterfly Association, and Bruce Newhouse, President of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, there are about 20 species of butterflies that I can attract to my garden. To find out more, I have found the following websites to be very helpful:
Butterflies of Oregon
Butterflies of Washington
and
Caterpillars of Pacific Northwest
I’ll share some other way cool facts about caterpillars and butterflies another day, all in the name of understanding how to make your garden the best home possible for these beautiful visitors. It has absolutely nothing to do with my nerdy delight in learning about insects.
Red Hare
It's my understanding that not all varieties of Buddleia are thugs. Before we all go ripping out our butterfly bushes, which one is bad? Are the "good" Buddleias not attractive to butterflies?
Enquiring minds want to know......
Jeannean
Lisa A
Good question, Jeannean.
At present, it is only the species form of butterfly bush Buddleia davidii, that has been listed as a noxious weed in Oregon (and it's being considered in Washington, from what I hear). That one has proven itself a pest. As for named varieties or other species of Buddleia, we don't have enough information at present to say this one is okay but that one is not, unfortunately. I have read anecdotal evidence by other gardeners but until studies are completed, the best way to proceed is to deadhead, deadhead, deadhead to prevent any possible seeding into natural areas.
Butterfly bush is attractive to butterflies but the adults only. It has absolutely no value as a host plant. If it stayed put in the garden, there would be no concern about it. But it's because it seeds into natural areas and pushes out native host plants that it has drawn concern from conservation groups for at least 10 years.
But I'm probably repeating myself from a past discussion that you can read here:
Butterfly bush discussion
Hope this helps!
Lisa A
Jeannean, I remembered that I had shared a summary of a seeding study, written up in The American Nurseryman last year. You can find it under Butterfly bush population mapping
There is a little more info regarding seeding habits. I look forward to having current and local info to guide us.
DebbieTT
Lisa is co-hosting this weeks topic and thanks Lisa for this timely article!
Sydnie
I just started getting pale swallowtails last summer and have became interested in attracting more. Great subject and great information. We have tons of wild cherry trees here. We have always like them and avoided cutting them down. Now I know why. I do photography and enjoy taking pictures of flowers and wildlife big time! I know they loved Carnations and Sweet William, esp. They showed up around August. I am hoping to attract more this year. This is something I really want to learn more about. Great subject Debbie and Lisa. Another site. (I am practicing my hyperlinks. Good way to do it!)
by plants- butterflies and caterpillar feed on
Trish
Swallowtail butterflies frequent my herb garden. I often see caterpillars on the bronze fennel, the parsleys and the lovage. Even tho' their blooms are rounded, I see plenty of flutterbyes on my chives and spanish lavender plants.
Lisa A
Great website, Sydney, thanks for sharing that.
You're right, Trish, butterflies will also go to plants without flat-heads. There is more to it than I simplistically stated. Color is another important factor. Bees go for colors in the ultra-violet range (which is not always visible to us) but flowers use different cues for butterflies. I have to find my notes before I address this more but, IIRC, it is vibrant color that attracts butterflies.
Last year I was very excited to ID a green comma butterfly in my garden and I'm sure it visited because I have its host plant, Western azalea, Rhododendron occidentale in my garden.
I have been working on developing a complete list of my garden's butterfly host plants. Here's what I have so far, including what they attract in my neighborhood: (native plants marked with N)
vine maple, Acer circinatum (N) - brown tissue and polyphemus moths.
Western bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa alba (N) - Clodius parnassian butterfly.
skimmia, Skimmia japonica (a citrus family member) - anise swallowtail butterfly.
salal, Gaultheria shallon (N) - brown elfin butterfly.
evergreen huckleberry, Vaccinium ovatum (N) - spring azure, brown elfin butterflies.
red-twig dogwood, Cornus sericea syn C. stolonifera (N) - spring azure and other butterflies.
pearly everlasting, Anaphalis margaritacea (N) - American painted lady and West Coast painted lady butterflies.
kinnikinnick, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (N) - brown elfin butterfly.
Western azalea, Rhododendron occidentale (N) - green comma butterfly.
Compiling a complete list of my host plants matched with local butterflies isn't easy. The books I have focus either on native plants or on butterflies but do not often go into enough depth, IMO, to cover both of these topics in one book. I do a lot of cross-checking from book to book to website and back again. For instance, Robert Michael Pyle's excellent book The Butterflies of Cascadia is a wealth of info regarding butterflies but isn't as in-depth as I had hoped regarding host plants. It just means I need more books. Oh, darn!
While butterflies have been studied more than other insects (they are so lovely, most people get beyond their insect heebie-jeebies), study and knowledge is still fairly young compared to wildlife study, aka cute, furry things. When I learned this, I realized I must learn patience when I can not find immediate, complete answers to my questions. It isn't so bad to hunt for the answers sometimes. I learn all kinds of other way cool things along the way. Now if only I could buy more memory space for my brain as easily as I can for my computer!
Debbie, what were the souces you used to develop your long list of host plants? I can't believe all the info you found! Marvelous! Thanks!
DebbieTT
USGS sites that you listed above, Butterflies and Moths handbook, Field guide to the Insects, and Simon and Schuster's Guide to Insects. It took a bit to compile the list as I had to check to make sure the butterflies were in our maritime region as opposed to the state, and then look up the caterpillar host plants. It took finding all the butterflies of our region and then finding each host for the caterpillar.
I wanted to compile a list that someone could print out and use easily to select plants to feed the caterpillars. I never saw a list like this, although the information is available it isn't a compiled list of host plants. So I did the research and slowly put the list together.
That is interesting about the Gaultheria shallon as I had heard that Salal didn't have much wildlife value. Which that was a surprise in itself that as common as it is in the Northwest that a creature hadn't evolved to utilize it. Good to see a value!
Salvia Guy
I know this is going to sound a bit odd but here goes.
As many of you know I grow copious amounts of salvias. Most if not all are not native to North America.
Here's the odd thing some of them get eaten by caterpillers either from moths or a butterfly, I suspect a moth. Now I always understood that caterpillars were plant specific meaning they only would feed on one or a few species of plants. Since none of the salvia species that are being eaten are form here I am at a loss to expalin it.
Lisa A
Perhaps the butterflies or moths visiting your salvias are generalists, not extreme specialists or specialist, SG. If so, then they may be able to use plants in the same genus or family - a broader range of plants - instead of just one or two plants. For instance, skimmia, a non-native plant, is in the citrus family, whose plants are used by anise swallowtails, a native butterfly (likely a generalist, judging by how many different plants it can use for host plants).
Without doing more research, I couldn't even guess who your visitor might be, though.
Garden Spider
What a great topic this week! I just planted my butterfly garden this spring, and the German Shepherd and I go out every morning to look at it. One of the Aquilegea millefoliums has a flower bud. I can hardly wait till the plants mature--even if I don't get any butterflies, the colors of the blossoms will be lovely! By next Spring, the plants should be mostly filled into the empty spaces.
I'm glad to see the lists of plants suitable for butterflies here. Now I need to print them out, and take them as a shopping list next time I go to the nurseries!
Lisa A
I'm glad you found the info useful, Barb. I had intended to post more but with hubby out of town most of the week, parenting duties took more of my time than usual (those of you who are single parents 24/7 have my respect!).
When I find my notes about color and butterflies, I'll post it.
Your garden sounds lovely! I hope you post photos to inspire the rest of us.
DebbieTT
How many plant for the butterfly? Please tell us about your butterfly garden or just the plants you plant for butterflies?
DebbieTT
In Memory of Phillip, A Childhood Friend
Our childhood was spent exploring nature. My favorite memory of Phillip, my best friend, was the time he took me to a milkweed patch in Ashland, Oregon and showed me the caterpillars and chrysalis of the monarch. We collected a few monarch chrysalis, attached to the milkweed, and carefully brought our treasures home. Impatiently we watched the chrysalis slowly change and eventually emerge into a butterfly. It was a time of wonder for us as we released the monarch, not fully understanding, but appreciating the cycle of the butterfly. I live in an area now where no Monarch's fly, but I have never forgotten that time. Now every time I see a picture of a Monarch Butterfly, I think of Phillip.
Phillip took his life when he was in his late twenties. He was suffering from depression. I often think of what took him on the journey that led him to take his life. I try not to think about the ending of his life that must have been from deep despair. Instead I try to remember him and the adventures we had together as best friends. Most of all my memory of the butterflies and what he taught me is precious.
______________ Debbie
Sydnie
Very nice memory Debbie. What a wonderful way to remember a friend.
I'm interested in what kinds of plants people have planted for butterflies that have worked well. Thanks to everyone!! I'm thrilled with all the info thus far!
I have recently noticed a just plain hot blue sm. butterfly coming around. I haven't found it yet. Anyone else had these or know what they are. They are very pretty! Wish I could manage a picture!
Debbie - I just got a Jasminum stephanense and wondered if there were butterflies attracted to it?? I am thrilled about the hummingbird aspect! I also was curious of what your zone is or more what your winter temps range? Mainly because of the evergreen aspect. I was wondering if it it really is evergreen? This butterfly info has been great! I have a succulent that a little butterflies flock to. I think it is the same kind of one that loves my low growing rosemary. I think a skipper. I am not real good at identification! Deb do you know what kind of skipper likes your rosemary. I am searching to figure out what succulent it is- and what butterfly it is. Sheesh. LOL. I really need that data base done. After a dozen plants I sure wished I'd of started in the beginning of my gardening! I'm still doing vines. LOL. I am starting a wildlife data base, too.
The Earth Laughs in Flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson <
DebbieTT
Hi Sydnie I haven't noticed butterflies on the Jasmine vine and it is on my deck so I am sure I would notice them if they were there. Also cold winters it will lose its leaves and can be ratty looking in less cold winters for awhile so I wouldn't put it where this would be a concern during its ugly stages. And you are a little colder than me so you may see it being rattier more often than I would. I hope that makes sense. I put up with its short ugly period on my deck as it is so beautiful the rest of the year.
The brown colored skippers have one wing that is higher than the other wing reminding me of fighter jets.
The only blue I know up in my neck of the woods is the Azure blue. But you can check out the sites Lisa gave above that have good pics of butters. Let us know what you find, if someone else can not identify it for you here.
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: May-05-2004 at 8:12pm
I have no idea if butterflies will find my Butterfly Garden attractive, or not . . . time will tell. The plants are still pretty small. I still have to check them every day, though, LOL.
And it's an Achillea millefolium that's about to bloom, not an Aquilegia, as I said earlier. Sheesh. I must have needed more coffee. There's a big difference between Yarrow and Columbine.
Debbie that was a wonderful story about your friend Philip. It should have had a tissue warning . . .:::sniff::::
Barb
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-06-2004 at 11:19pm
Barb - I have lots of Columbine. I haven't found a yarrow yet that I really liked. At another house I had had a very tall variety with huge yellow tops. I loved it, but I haven't found it yet. Got a special kind that you like?
And !!!! - If I had neighbor that could see me today, they were rolling on the ground laughing. I chased that little neon blue butterfly all over with my camera. (I thought that that would really help me identify her) Good luck getting a pic in flight! LOL When he finally stopped- I was laying on the ground half of the time trying to get close enough. I'm sure it was hilarious. When he "sat" he wasn't blue at all. LOL. Only when he flys! I'm sure I seen it in the data base. Tomorrow I will go through it again! I would like to attract more of these. It all has to wait. This is fun. Got some tree frog pics today, too. The little tree frogs are sooo cute. I know what they are!
Phlox
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-07-2004 at 7:25pm
I'm also wanting to attract more butterflies to my yard. I do have a few of the plants on your list Debbie but I've yet to check out the host plants, hopfully I have some of those too.
I don't have very many neighbors that are really into flowers like I am and I think that may be one reason that I don't see to many Butter's. I've caught a couple long enough to take pictures of them, one swallowtail and I don't know the other. Also, do you know, there is a little white one that I'm not sure is a butterfly or a moth, how do I find out? (need to get a pic. of it)
By the way Sydnie (Cindy), catch a couple of those frogs for me please.
Has it been mentioned, Butterflies also need water? Good thing I have plenty around for the birds, they can share. .....................Linda
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-08-2004 at 11:02am
Oh, good point, Linda!
Butterflies, like all other wildlife we invite (or sometimes not!) to our gardens need water. Butterflies siphon water, trace minerals and salts with their straw-like mouths from moist areas around open water (they will not visit open water). To create a butterfly puddle fill a shallow bowl with sand or mud, place it in a sunny area near nectar plants and keep it moist.
Other tips for good butterfly gardening include:
Eliminate pesticide use. Butterflies are very susceptible to pesticide use. Practice natural gardening methods to address pest problems instead. Tolerate chewed leaves, which may indicate a butterfly caterpillar has found a home in your garden.
Choose a sunny location. Butterflies require sun to warm their bodies before they can fly. Flat rocks in sheltered, sunny site serve as ideal basking spots. However, too much sun can be detrimental. An ideal location will offer some shade as well.
And don't forget to provide shelter. Include garden features that provide protection from cold and windy weather. A brick wall, the leeward side of your home, or a row of trees is an adequate windbreak on a blustery day. Delay fall clean up; leaf litter functions as insulation during cold weather and hibernation, while twigs and logs grant refuge from predators and harsh rains.
btw, the above includes a sneak peak at soon-to-be-published information from a flashcard kit featuring native plants. This is the project I mentioned earlier that I've been working on so hard lately.
I will continue to look for the info I promised regarding flower color and butterflies. I just can't recall which of my 6 notebooks it might be in or when I attended the class (which would help me figure out which notebook to start with) so it will take me some time.
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: May-08-2004 at 12:55pm
Sydnie wrote: Barb - I have lots of Columbine. I haven't found a yarrow yet that I really liked. At another house I had had a very tall variety with huge yellow tops. I loved it, but I haven't found it yet. Got a special kind that you like?
Sydnie, the only Yarrow I have so far is the native species, A. millefolium. My step-mom used to grow a yellow and an orange variety, and she dried them for Fall centerpieces. I don't know what variety they were.
I love Columbine! I have a Sitka Columbine now, in the woodland garden. When my sister and I were little, we used to dismantle the Columbine flowers and sip the nectar from the little tubes. No wonder hummingbirds like those flowers--that nectar is darn tasty!
Barb
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: May-08-2004 at 6:23pm
Garden Spider wrote:
Debbie that was a wonderful story about your friend Philip. It should have had a tissue warning . . .:::sniff::::
Passing tissue to Barb. I am working on writing the story in my writer's workshop. When I read it back I had need of a tissue. Surprised me too as this happened 20+ years ago.
Sydnie, I got a visual of you chasing that butterfly all over and got a chuckle over it as I have been there and done that!
Debbie
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-10-2004 at 1:53pm
ok How do you do that "so & so wrote" stuff??? LOL!
*Barb*- Thanks for the info on the yarrow. I really am making a point to add natives here and there in the garden so this is really good info. Love the 'when you were little' story since my grandkids love all the berries and so on! I have McKana Giant and Origami White and my absolute fav Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore pleno The McKana is different. The Origami is awesome. Gorgeous blooms- HUGE!! Like two inches across! But the Aquilegia vulgaris is loved by the hummers and by me! This year they grew so fast, most fell over so next year I'm staking some of them. I have a new color that popped up too! I have white, several shades of pink to dark maroon, and purple. And now a purple with a white skirt, so to speak. It is beautiful! I think it is from cross pollination??? I too love columbines. I am anxious to get some natives to add here and there! I think this would be benificial to attract more wildlife!
*Phlox* - As soon as one or two tree frogs cross my path. Too bad I couldn't get you a pair. LOL. But I have no clue there. Hopefully it's a male. He'll call the females from miles around. Then you'll be catching them and hauling them back to my house!! LOL Just teasing!
*Debbie*- I think I have identified my little neon blue butterfly! He is a Northern Blue. I am thrilled. LOL. I am having fun with this! Nice picture on their site. I had a heck of a time getting a photo. They flutter around like they don't know which way to go, and fast! LOL. I would of never got one with the top of the wings showing blue in flight. But it's a good thing I couldn't, because I'd of never known the underside wasn't blue at all!!!! Now where is his better half. It's great I can figure out what all to plant to attract more of them!!! They are gorgeous little butterflies!
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-10-2004 at 2:12pm
Sydnie wrote: ok How do you do that "so & so wrote" stuff??? LOL!
You'll see a button that says "Quote" at the top of each post. Click the button and the response window will appear with all of the message text beginning with QUOTE=Sydnie (for instance) between [ and ] and ending with /QUOTE, with brackets as above. If I put the brackets in now, you'd never see the info. You can delete any text that you don't want to include in your post at this point.
Sydnie wrote: I have white, several shades of pink to dark maroon, and purple. And now a purple with a white skirt, so to speak. It is beautiful! I think it is from cross pollination???
Columbines are prone to cross-hybridization. Because of this, seedlings are rarely true to the parents. You can either plant different forms in different garden areas or just have fun with the new forms that crop up.
I also enjoyed the image of you chasing down the butterfly, Sydnie. I've been known to do silly things like that as well. Bravo for IDing your butterfly!
Sydnie Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Location: Western Washington Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-11-2004 at 10:43pm
I've caught a couple long enough to take pictures of them, one swallowtail and I don't know the other. Also, do you know, there is a little white one that I'm not sure is a butterfly or a moth, how do I find out? (need to get a pic. of it)
Good Luck on that one, LOL !!! Just didn't know what to quote! But I wanted to try doing this, and.........oh ya, seriously- check out the web sites Debbie and Lisa posted on page #1 of this post! They're are lots of butterfly pic and plants for the different stages!!! Good Luck! A picture is sure a big help!! I would of never found my little guy withought one!
And thanks Lisa! oops I hmmmmmm. One more time. This time I will print your "how to" out first.
Sydnie Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Location: Western Washington Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-11-2004 at 10:55pm
Lisa A wrote: Butterflies siphon water, trace minerals and salts with their straw-like mouths from moist areas around open water (they will not visit open water). To create a butterfly puddle fill a shallow bowl with sand or mud, place it in a sunny area near nectar plants and keep it moist
Good to know. I hadn't thought about this. Maybe a plate in my "wee bog" hidden by dirt but holding extra water would work well to keep an open spot for them! Thanks again Lisa !!!!
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-12-2004 at 8:04am
You're welcome, Sydnie!
If your butterfly is almost all white, with little other color, I suspect it is a cabbage white. They are quite common and I've seen them fluttering around my garden already. 'Course, it's been a long time since I bothered to verify my ID to make sure it isn't another type of white butterfly . . .
Here's a picture of a cabbage white for you. If it isn't this one, try the picture for margined white. At least those are the choices for my neck of the woods, not sure if you have other possibilities.
There are ID tips to tell the difference between moths and butterflies. At this site, Moths of North America, there is a FAQ page called What's the Difference Between a Moth and Butterfly that will help you.
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: May-12-2004 at 9:17am
Also note that the white butterflies are not native to this region, they are an introduced species.
Debbie
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-12-2004 at 12:17pm
DebbieTT wrote: Also note that the white butterflies are not native to this region, they are an introduced species.
I didn't know that! Thanks, Debbie, always glad to gain more smarts.
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro Posted: May-12-2004 at 3:31pm
Thanks for the link, Lisa, to the difference between moths and butterflies. Knowing that bufferflies have slenderer bodies, not as hairy and have "bulbous" antenae tips helps alot. Thanks!
Hey, Deb, where does the cabbage white come from? Europe? And do you know why they were introduced?
Jeanne
suektwo
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-12-2004 at 10:01pm
Have any of you ever raised a caterpillar in captivity? I used to do that when I volunteered at a butterfly garden down in California. We found that many of the littlest caterpillars disappeared, probably eaten by birds or destroyed by parasites, so we'd take some in and raise them, and then release the eventual butterflies back into the garden.
They're fascinating to watch, the caterpillars. And they really eat alot! (My husband and I spent a fortune one year on milkweek for the monarch caterpillars we raised.) Eventually, when they're good and fat and ready to make their chrysalis, they start to wander around looking for a good branch. One minute they're a dried up looking caterpillar, then they wiggle and shake and shed their skin, and suddenly they look like a piece of bark, or bird poop.
The anise swallowtails are very interesting. They can stay in the chrysalis stage for 7 or more YEARS. When we left California I gave my father about 20 anise swallowtail chrysalises and he still has a few. Every spring he calls me to say another butterfly emerged.
So be careful when you clean up your garden. Try and put your tree trimmings aside for a year or more, just in case.
Susan
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-13-2004 at 12:02am
How cool, Susan! What a good caterpillar mom you were.
The kindergarten teacher at my sons' school raises butterflies (Monarchs or Swallowtails, can't recall which) each year with her students and I know they enjoy it. I'm always watchful when I prune (which isn't a lot) but so far I haven't found one. I keep hoping!
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: May-14-2004 at 2:41pm
Hi Sydnie, I thought the little blue butterflies were called Spring Azure, but your ID is as good as mine. I remember the first time I saw one was in the Olympic Mountains 8 or 9 years ago. I was so excited as I had never seen one. Now that we live on the Kitsap Peninsula I see them in my garden from time to time.
But this morning I saw them on my Lavender stoechas the cultivar name excapes me at the moment Mary something. Anyway it was right there with the swarm of bees, sometimes right next to one and they all seemed to not be bothered by each other.
This is the only pic I could find I have a larger one but it escapes me where it is on my computer. This was long before I knew how to categorize my pics on the computer. The original is a slide so I can't scan it with my set up. But this is the first time I ever saw one. It really worked over the Pearly everlastings.
Debbie
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-14-2004 at 10:00pm
Susan- Wow on your info about the chrysalis. Very interesting- esp the 7 yr. thing! I would think that that would be a lot of fun!
Great pic Deb!!! Great that you got the inside and outside of the wings! Great you can see how the blue shows through! On some of mine it did and some it didn't. Mine had his wings closed up and was walking around on red rock. Hmmm. I have lots of pearly everlasting, here and there, nice to know they like it. They're really a beautiful "neon" blue! In some of the pic's the color of blue "shows" through the white! I am amazed at how fragile their wings must be. I have a pic of a (not the greatest focus but) swallowtail on a red carnation and you can actually see the color right through his wings. Very cool. (Somewhere!- I am just starting to figure out how to organize all this stuff better. If I find it I will try to post it.) Thanks for sharing your picture. I hope to see more of the little Northern Blues!!!! A female would be good. LOL. But they are probably not as noticable with their brownish-yellows. I want to pick up some yarrow soon. There are two native nurseries near here I have yet to venture to. I think it's about time. (I have dug a lot of stuff up out of our woods here tho'.) I want to pick up some of the things they eat that are listed on Lisa's sites she posted. It says the caterpillar hosts are legumes of the pea family (Fabaceae) in the west. I am asuming that this means the wild ones. I am going to have to check this out. We have wee wild ones and some huge ones that I grow on the fence. LOL - I'm the only person I've ever seen grow them on the fence or in my yard! They are here along the roadsides. But I don't think if they are actually wild. I guess it's time to learn a bit about peas! But who knows if they are particular to the type of pea. LOL! The legumes. I am not sure what that is!!! I think it's the roots. When I grow annual types the roots are the part I always leave in the ground tho', I read it was good for your soil. I grow peas to eat raw every year and love (annual) sweet peas!! So they are always here and there. This is just endless isn't it!! LOL- Just like gardening, endless!!! But how fun!!! I think a trip to the library might be called for!
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posts: 1321
Posted: May-15-2004 at 8:56am
JeanneK wrote: Hey, Deb, where does the cabbage white come from? Europe? And do you know why they were introduced?
I believe they are originally from Europe and Asia if my memory serves me right. Introduced is a poor choice of words on my part. I don't believe they were introduced on purpose at least I have not read anything that suggests that someone brought them over on purpose.
I should look it up as its been years since I read anything about them. The caterpillar is commonly called Imported cabbageworm.
Debbie
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: May-15-2004 at 9:07am Speaking of moths this one with its 3 inch wing span showed up on my front porch the first year we lived here. I haven't seen another one since.
Polyphemus Moth
Another butterfly that entertains me. I am not sure you will want to use some of the attractions for this butterfly.
Lorguin's Admiral Butterfly
Debbie
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-15-2004 at 9:59am
Two quick things.
Sydnie, I can't recall exactly where you live (are you the one in the woods with no near neighbors?) so perhaps my next comments are way off the mark.
A few years ago, on a natives discussion list, someone was trying to ID pretty bright blue butterflies that he found near his home. Among the many responses, someone asked if there had been a wedding nearby recently. Why this question, you ask? Because, as part of the wedding or reception, non-native butterlies are imported and released. They can't survive here (so cruel!) but for a short time, they'll fly around and cause excitement. I can't recall if this was determined to be the source of the poster's blue butters or not. But it's something to consider when an ID poses puzzles.
Secondly, from what I understand, the study of insects and their relationship with plants is still fairly young. It wasn't, and still isn't, as understood as other fauna and flora relationships. It's a good idea to keep this in mind when we attempt to find answers regarding butterflies and host plants.
Phlox
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-15-2004 at 5:05pm
Now, where else can you get information like we just got on these 2+ pages? And getting it this way is much more fun than looking it up myself.....Thanks everyone!
And Lisa, thank you for adding to my water suggestion. There are certain ways they get their water.
Debbie, thank you for the picture of the Admiral, I also have had that one in my garden. I didn't have to chase after it like Sydnie did hers, I just gave up on trying to get a pic. with its wings spread, just got one one-sided, but, I got it.
........Linda........
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: May-15-2004 at 8:45pm
Phlox,
I haven't had to chase an admiral around, they are always so intent on what they are doing. Like the one that kept landing ion a particular spot on the gravel so I went to investigate what was so attractive to the admiral. It was a mouse skeleton. Then I learned they are attracted to carrion.
No one saw my pun? Whoo boy I need some new material!
Anyway, these guys have landed on me quite a few times when I am wearing white. They fascinate me a lot because they seem to like to do a lot of different things, not just go to flowers. It was funny to watch them climb all over the carnivorous pitcher plants.
Debbie
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-17-2004 at 1:56am
I live in Southwest Wa about a thousand feet up. We do have a few neighbors and a church out this way. I see what your saying. I thought about this too. I had read it somewhere. The only reason I doubt that is because I also seen at least one here last year, too. But who knows. It could just be a fluke. I will ask the pastor of the church that is near here about this. I am a bit confused. So the way the flight pattern reads, they are not native to here? Only when they start here? Am I getting that right??? How do I know what is native here? Is this a dumb question? Did I miss something?? LOL. Wouldn't be the first time! It is good to know that the info on butterflies and their host plants is basically 'new'! I will note all of this info! I don't really care which butterflies I end up with, I just want more butterflies!! LOL !!
Deb. LOL on the pun!
The admirals are gorgeous. I get something colored like this, but that's not quite right. It's diff. I guess I will get a picture this year and ID it, hopefully. So far- I have started a flower, a bug, a wildlife data bases. I will just plug away at them for a few years!! LOL. I have another swallowtail I'm trying to idea from a pic. When I get time~ take time.
It will be interesting to see what everyone finds in their gardens this year!
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-19-2004 at 8:36am
In today's Oregonian's science section was this story on prairie butterflies. Interesting reading.
Phlox, I completely forgot to mention that butterflies' method of obtaining water is called puddling. Isn't that a great term? So much more playful sounding than simply "drinking."
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-25-2004 at 1:30am
Lisa- Thanks!! Good Article! I got it now!
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton