About Butterflies and Moths – Part 5
By Mary Free, Extension Master Gardener
Below you will find a list of nectar and host plants for many lepidopterans mentioned in About Butterflies and Moths, Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Picture galleries of the featured lepidopterans are interspersed between the rows – click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions. On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).
Please note:
- If a lepidopteran species is not identified as a moth, then it is a butterfly. Some non-native species common in the Mid-Atlantic Region are included.
- The list of nectar and host plants is not all inclusive.
- Preferred nectar and host species are in bold type.
- Non-native, invasive host plants are included on the list for informational purposes. Non-native, invasive nectar plants, like Buddleia, are not included. Some genera (e.g., Cirsium, Lonicera, and Viburnum) include native species and non-native invasive species. For both host and nectar plants, do NOT plant non-native invasives! Consult your local government to find out what species are invasive in your area.
- If nectar plant boxes are blank, then sources could not be found to indicate whether or not the adult moths feed.
- Nectar plants for asterisked (*) species were identified by photos on bugguide.net. Some nectar plants were identified through Master Gardener observations. Most nectar and host plants were sourced from Butterflies and Moths of North America, Caterpillars of Eastern North America (Wagner 2005), London Natural History Museum: HOSTS – a Database of the World’s Lepidopteran Hostplants, Montana Field Guides: Lepidoptera Family, PennState Extension MG Program: Butterfly Larval Host Plant List, and/or Xerces Society Monarch Nectar Plants. Some lepidopteran species were identified using the Alabama Butterfly Atlas.
- Consult MGNV Best Bets to Attract Pollinators for the rankings of selected species according to number of pollinator visits and pollinator diversity and for links to Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic fact sheets.
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Actias luna Luna Moth | Adults do not feed | Betula (birch), Carya (hickory), Diospyros virginiana (common persimmon), Juglans nigra (black walnut), Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree), Nyssa sylvatica (black gum), Prunus (cherry), Quercus (oak), Rhus (sumac) |
| Antheraea polyphemus Polyphemus Moth | Adults do not feed | Acer (maple), Amelanchier canadensis (Canadian serviceberry), Cornus alternifolia (pagoda dogwood), C. racemosa (gray dogwood), C. sericea (red osier dogwood), Betula (birch), Quercus (oak), Salix (willow) |
| Atalopedes campestris Sachem Skipper | Agastache (hyssop), Asclepias (common and swamp milkweeds), Bidens polylepis (tickseed sunflower), Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush), Cirsium (thistles), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Lantana, Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Phlox, Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Salvia, Sedum (stonecrop), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Verbena, Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) | Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass), Digitaria (crabgrass) Distichlis spicata (salt grass), Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), Stenotaphrum secundatum (St. Augustine grass) |
| Atteva aurea* Ailanthus Webworm Moth | Allium tuberosum (garlic chives), Asclepias (milkweed), Clematis virginiana (virgin’s-bower), Cirsium (thistle), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Gomphrena globosa (globe amaranth), Helianthus (sunflower), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Sedum (stonecrop), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster) | Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven–INVASIVE non-native) |
| Automeris io Io Moth | Adults do not feed | Acer rubrum (red maple), Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Baptisia tinctoria (yellow wild indigo), Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam), Celtis (hackberry), Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud), Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), Hibiscus moscheutos (swamp rose mallow), Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree), Magnolia virginiana (sweet bay magnolia), Malus domestica (apple), Ostrya virginiana (American hop-hornbeam), Populus (aspen, poplar), Prunus serotina (black cherry), Prunus virginiana (chokeberry), Pyrus (pear), Quercus (oak), Ribes (currant), Rubus (blackberry), Salix (willow), Sassafras albidum, Vernonia (ironweed), Viburnum dentatum (southern arrowwood) |
Left to right: Luna (moth and caterpillar), polyphemus (moth and caterpillar), male and female sachem skipper butterflies,
ailanthus webworm moth, io (moth and caterpillars).
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Battus philenor Pipevine Swallowtail | Asclepias (milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Lantana, Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), petunia, Phlox, Rhododendron (azalea), Syringa (lilac), Verbena | Aristolochia (pipevine) |
| Calycopis cecrops Red-banded Hairstreak | Achillea (yarrow), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Bidens polylepis (tickseed sunflower), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Eupatorium hyssopifolium (hyssop thoroughwort) Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Solidago (goldenrod), Rhus (sumac), Symphyotrichum (aster), Verbena | Mangifera indica (mango), Quercus hemisphaerica (Darlington oak), Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac), R. copallina (dwarf sumac), R. typhina (staghorn sumac) |
| Celastrina ladon Spring Azure | Agastache (hyssop), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Rubus (blackberry), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower) | Buds and flowers of Amelanchier (serviceberry), Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), heaths, Kalmia (mountain laurel), Rhododendron, Viburnum |
| Celastrina neglecta Summer/Spring Azure | Cephalanthus (buttonbush), Clematis, Cornus (dogwood), Crataegus (hawthorn), Rhus (sumac), Ribes (currant), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Sambucus (elderberry), Symphyotrichum (aster), Trifolium (clover), Verbena, Viburnum | Buds and flowers of blueberries, Agastache (hyssop), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh), Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), Cornus racemosa (northern swamp dogwood), Eupatorium (Joe-pye-weed), Prunus serotina (black cherry), Spiraea (meadow-sweet), Viburnum |
| Chlosyne nycteis Silvery Checkerspot | Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Gaillardia (blanket flower), Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), Senecio (ragwort) | Echinacea (purple coneflower), Helianthus (sunflower), Heliopsis helianthoides (ox-eye sunflower), Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Verbesina alternifolia (wingstem) |
Left to right: Pipeviine swallowtail (butterfly and caterpillar), red-banded hairstreak butterfly,
spring azure butterfly, summer azure butterfly, and silvery checkerspot butterfly.
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Colias eurytheme Orange Sulphur | Aquilegia (columbine), Asclepias (milkweed), Coreopsis (tickseed), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Geranium, Gomphrena globosa (globe amaranth), Liatris (blazing star), Lobelia, Penstemon (beardtongue), Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), Salvia, Scabiosa (pincushion), Sedum (stonecrop), Senecio (ragwort), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Taraxacum (dandelion), Vernonia (ironweed), Verbena, Zinnia | Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Melilotus alba (white sweet clover) Trifolium repens (white clover), Vicia (vetch–INVASIVE non-native) |
| Cupido comyntas (aka Everes comyntas) Eastern Tailed-blue | Asclepias (milkweed), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud), Coreopsis (tickseed), Erigeron (fleabane), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry), Oxalis (wood-sorrel), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Trifolium (clover), Verbena, Veronicastrum (Culver’s-root), Zizia (golden Alexander) | Flowers and seeds of many legumes including Desmodium canadense (tick-trefoil), Lathyrus (wild pea), Lotus, Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine), Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweet clover) Trifolium (clover), Vicia (vetch–INVASIVE non-native)) |
| Danaus plexippus Monarch | Asclepias (milkweed), Bidens polylepis (tickseed sunflower), Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush), Cirsium (thistle), Echinacea (purple conefower), Gomphrena globosa (globe amaranth), Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset), Helianthus (sunflower), Lantana, Liatris (blazing star), Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), Monarda punctata (spotted beebalm), Phlox paniculata (garden phlox), Senecio (ragwort), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster), Symphyotrichum laeve (smooth blue aster), Syringa (lilac), Verbena, Verbesina alternifolia (wingstem),Vernonia noveboracensis (New York ironweed), Zinnia | Asclepias (milkweed), Cynanchum laeve (sand vine, bluevine milkweed–NOXIOUS WEED) |
Left to right: Orange sulphur butterfly, eastern tailed-blue butterfly,
monarch butterfly (dorsal, ventral and caterpillars) on Asclepias syriaca and A. tuberosa.
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Epargyreus clarus Silver-spotted Skipper | Mostly flowers that are not yellow including Asclepias (milkweed), Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush), Cirsium (thistle), Cornus (dogwood), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Geranium, Hydrangea, Lantana, Lavandula (lavender), Liatris (blazing star), Lobelia, Lonicera (honeysuckle), Monarda, Oenothera (evening-primrose), Penstemon (beardtongues), Phlox, Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Scabiosa (pincushion), Tradescantia (spiderwort), Trifolium (clover), Verbena, Vernonia (ironweed), Zinnia | Amorpha (false indigo), Amphicarpaea bracteata (American hog-peanut), Desmodium (tick-trefoils), Gleditsia triacanthos (honeylocust), Robinia hispida (rose acacia), Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Wisteria fructescens (American wisteria) |
| Epimecis hortaria Tulip-tree Beauty Moth | Asimina (pawpaw),Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree), Persea palustris (red bay), Populus (poplar),Sassafras albidum (sassafras) | |
| Erynnis horatius Horace’s Duskywing | Visits flower up to about 4.5 feet tall including Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset), Helenium (sneezeweed), Solidago (goldenrod) | Quercus including Quercus alba (white oak), Q. hemisphaerica (Darlington oak), Q. ilicifolia (scrub oak), Q. laurifolia (laurel oak), Q. marilandica (blackjack oak), Q. muehlenbergii (chinquapin oak), Q. nigra (water oak), Q. pagoda (cherrybark oak), Q. phellos (willow oak), Q. rubra (northern red oak), Q. shumardii (Shumard oak), Q. stellata (post oak), Q. velutina (black oak), Q. virginiana (live oak), Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) |
| Eumorpha pandorus Pandora Sphinx Moth | Lychnis alba (white campion), Petunia hybrida | Ampelopsis (ampelopsis), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper), Vitis (grape) |
| Euptoieta claudia Variegated Fritillary | Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), A. syriaca (common milkweed), A. tuberosa (butterflyweed), Bidens polylepis (tickseed sunflower), Cirsium (thistle), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Geranium, Helianthus (sunflower), Liatris (blazing star), Lobelia, Monarda (beebalm), Penstemon (beardtongue), Physocarpus (ninebark), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), Salvia, Sedum (stonecrop), Senecio (ragwort), Solidago (goldenrod) Symphyotrichum (aster), Taraxacum (dandelion), Trifolium (clover), Verbena, Viola, Zinnia | Linum (flax), Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower), Plantago (plantain), Podophyllum peltata (may apple), Portulaca (purslane), Sedum (stonecrop), Stachys byzantina (lamb’s-ear), Viola (violets) |
Left to right: Silver-spotted skipper (butterfly and caterpillar), tulip-tree beauty moth, Horace’s duskywing butterfly,
Pandora sphinx (moth and caterpillar), variegated fritillary butterfly (ventral, dorsal, and caterpillar).
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Hemaris thysbe Hummingbird Clearwing Moth | blueberry, Cirsium (thistle), cranberry, Liatris (blazing star), Lonicera (honeysuckle), Monarda (beebalm), Phlox, Symphoricarpos (snowberry), Syringa (lilac), Verbena | Abelia, Crataegus (hawthorns), Diervilla lonicera (northern bush honeysuckle), Lonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle), Prunus virginiana (chokecherry), Symphoricarpos albus (white snowberry), Viburnum |
| Hylephila phyleus Fiery Skipper | Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Echinacea (purple conefower), Gomphrena globosa (globe amaranth), Lantana, Liatris (blazing star), Salvia, Sedum (stonecrop), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Vernonia (ironweed) | Agrostis (bentgrass), Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass), Digitaria (crabgrass), Distichlis spicata (salt grass), Eragrostis hypnoides (creeping lovegrass), Stenotaphrum secundatum (St. Augustine grass) |
| Hyles lineata White-lined Sphinx Moth | Aquilegia (columbine), Cirsium (thistle), hosta, larkspur, Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), Lonicera (honeysuckle), Oenothera (evening primrose), Penstemon (beardtongue), petunia, Phlox, Syringa (lilac), Trifolium (clover), Verbena | Boerhavia coccinea (scarlet spiderling), Brassica rapa (field mustard), Epilobium (willow weed), Erigeron (fleabane), Fuchsia, Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Malus (apple), Mirabilis jalapa (four o’clock), Oenothera biennis (common evening primrose), Oenothera elata (tall evening primrose), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia-creeper), Plantago (plantain), Portulaca (purslane), Rosa (rose), Rubus (blackberry), Vitis (grapevine) |
| Junonia coenia Common Buckeye | Bidens polylepis (tickseed sunflower), Cichorium (chickory), Grindelia (gumweed), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Verbena | Antirrhinum (snapdragon), Linaria (toadflax), Plantago (plantain), Ruellia nodiflora (violet wild petunia), Scrophularia (figwort), Sedum,Verbena |
Left to right: Hummingbird clearwing moth, fiery skipper butterfly, white-lined sphinx (moth and caterpillar),
common buckeye butterfly (dorsal, ventral, and caterpillar).
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Limenitis archippus (aka Basilarchia archippus) Viceroy | Early season adults feed on sap, carrion, dung, decaying fungi, and aphid honeydew in the absence of nectar such as Asclepias (milkweed), Bidens polylepis (tickseed sunflower), Cirsium (thistle), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Polygonum (knotweed), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster) | Amelanchier (serviceberry), Betula (birch), Crataegus (hawthorn), Malus (apple), Populus (aspen, cottonwood and poplar), Prunus (cherry), Pyrus (pear), Salix (willow) |
| Limenitis arthemis astyanax (aka Basilarchia arthemis) Red-spotted Purple | Adults feed mainly on sap flows, rotting fruit, carrion, dung, and aphid honeydew and only occasionally on: Asclepias (milkweed), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Rhus (sumac), Spirea, Symphyotrichum (aster), Viburnum. | Carpinus caroliniana (hornbeam), Crataegus (hawthorn), Malus coronaria (sweet crabapple), Malus pumila (apple), Populus (aspen, cottonwood and poplar), Prunus serotina (black cherry), Prunus virginiana (chokeberry), Quercus (oak), Salix (willow), Tilia americana (basswood) |
| Lophocampa caryae Hickory Tussock Moth | Acer (maple), Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam), Carya (hickory), Fraxinus (ash), Juglans (walnut), Quercus (oaks), Salix (willow) Ulmus (elm) | |
| Lycaena phlaeas American Copper | Achillea (yarrow), Asclepias tuberosa (butterflyweed), Boltonia, Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum cordifolium (blue wood aster), Trifolium repens (white clover), Zizia (golden Alexander) | Rumex (sheep sorrel and less often docks), Oxyria digyna (mountain sorrel) |
| Lymantria dispar Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth, non-native) | Adults do not feed | Over 500 species including Betula (birch), Carya (hickory), Crataegus (hawthoorn), Hamamelis (witch hazel–for young instars), Malus (apple), Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark), Populus (poplar), Rosa (rose), Rhus (sumac), and Salix (willow) but Quercus (oak) preferred. When favorite are foods scarce, conifers like pine and spruce are vulnerable. |
Left to right: Viceroy butterfly, red-spotted purple butterfly (dorsal, ventral, and caterpillar), hickory tussock moth caterpillar, American copper butterfly, spongy (moth and caterpillar).
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Malacosoma americanum Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth | Adults do not feed | Malus (apple), Crataegus (hawthoorn), Prunus (cherry), other members of the rose family |
| Manduca sexta Tobacco Hornworm/Tobacco Hawk Moth | Calonyction aculeata (moonflower), Petunia x hybrida | Brassica rapa (field mustard), Capsicum annuum (sweet & chili peppers), Datura (jimsonweed), Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Nicotiana (tobacco), Solanum (nightshade) |
| Nematocampa resistaria Horned Spanworm Moth (aka Filament Bearer) | 60 species of both hardwood trees and shrubs, conifers, and forbs including Abies (fir), Acer (maple), Aesculus hippocastanum (common horsechestnut), Aesculus pavia (red buckeye), Carya (hickory), Corylus (hazelnut), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Crataegus (hawthoorn), Humulus lupulus (hops), Picea (spruce), Ribes (currant), Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Rosa (rose), Rubus (including R. idaeus–American red raspberry), Salix (willow), Sedum (stonecrop),Tsuga (hemlock) | |
| Nymphalis antiopa Mourning Cloak | Adults feeds mainly on tree sap, mostly oak, and rotting fruit but occasionally on: Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Physocarpus (ninebark), Prunus (cherry), Salix (willow), Syringa (lilac) | Acer (maple), Alnus (alder), Betula (birch), Celtis (hackberry), Humulus lupulus (hops), Ostrya (hophornbeam), Populus (aspen, poplars), Rosa (rose), Rubus (sumac), Salix (willow), Ulmus (elm) |
| Orthosia hibisci Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth | Cornus alternifolia (pagoda dogwood), C. sericea (red osier dogwood), Fraxinus (ash), Malus (apple, crabapple), Picea (spruce), Populus (aspen, poplar), Prunus (cherry, plum), Rosa (rose), Quercus (oak), Thuja (arborvitae) | |
| Paonias excaecata Blinded Sphinx Moth | Adults do not feed | Amelanchier (serviceberry), Betula (birch), Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam), Crataegus (hawthoorn), Ostrya virginiana (hop-hornbeam), Physocarpus opulifolius (eastern ninebark), Populus (poplars), Prunus (cherry), Quercus (oak), Rosa (rose), Salix (willow), Spiraea salicifolia (bridewort), Tilia americana (American basswood), Viburnum, Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) |
Left to right: Tent caterpillar, tobacco hornworm, filament bearer, mourning cloak butterfly,
speckled green fruitworm, and blinded sphinx moth.
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Papilio glaucus (aka Pterourus glaucus) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail | Agastache (hyssop), Asclepias (milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Clethra ainifolia (sweet pepperbush), Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s-bower), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), Phlox, Prunus (black cherry), Rhododendron (azalea), Silphium (rosinweed), Syringa vulgaris (lilac), Vernonia (ironweed), Verbena bonariensis (Argentinian vervain), Zinnia | Betula (birch), Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam), Fraxinus (ash), Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree), especially Magnolioideae (magnolias, including Magnolia virginiana-sweetbay), Populus (cottonwood), Prunus serotina (black cherry), Prunus virginiana (chokeberry), Salix (willow), Sassafras albidum, Tilia (basswood) |
| Papilio polyxenes Eastern Black Swalllowtail | Asclepias (milkweed), Cephalanthus (buttonbush), Cirsium (thiste), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Helianthius (sunflower), Hemerocallis (daylily), Liatris (blazing star), Lobelia, Monarda, Penstemon (beardtongue), Phlox, Sedum (stonecrop), Senecio (ragwort),Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Verbena, Zinnia | Apiaceae (carrot, celery, dill, fennel, parsley, Queen Anne’s lace, Zizia), Ruta graveolens (common rue) |
| Papilio troilus Spicebush Swallowtail | Asclepias (milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Eupatorium (Joe-pye-weed), Helianthus (sunflower), Impatiens capensis (orange jewelweed), Lantana, Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), Phlox, Rhododendron (azalea), Salvia | Cercis canadensis (redbud), Lindera benzoin (spicebush), Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree), Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay), Sassafras albidum, Syringa vulgaris (common lilac) |
Left to right: Eastern tiger swallowtail (male, female, dark form female butterflies and caterpillar), eastern black swallowtail (butterfly and caterpillar), spicebush swallowtail (butterfly and caterpillar).
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Parrhasius m-album White-m Hairstreak | Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Cornus (dogwood), Lantana, Oxydendrum arboreum (sourwood), Prunus americana (wild plum), Rhus (sumac), Solidago (goldenrod), Viburnum | Quercus alba (white oak), Quercus marilandica (blackjack oak), Quercus virginiana (live oak), Tilia americana (American basswood) |
| Phyciodes tharos Pearl Crescent | Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Cornus (dogwood), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Helianthus (sunflower), Phlox, Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Senecio (ragwort), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Taraxacum (dandelion), Verbena | Symphyotrichumincluding S. laeve (smooth blue aster), S. lateriflorus (calico aster), S. novae-angliae (New England aster), S. pilosum (frost aster), S. praealtum (willow-leaf aster), S. puniceum (purple-stem aster) |
| Pieris rapae Cabbage White (non-native) | Adults feed on a myriad of native and non-native species including Asclepias (milkweed), Brassica, Cirsium (thistle), Coreopsis (tickseed), mints (i.e., Agastache, Monarda, Pycnanthemeum), Liatris (blazing star), Lobelia, Mertensia (bluebell), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Salvia, Scabiosa (pincushion), Symphyotrichum (aster), Taraxacum (dandelion), Verbena, Zinnia | Brassicaceae (mustard family: cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, nasturtium, and garlic mustard & winter-cress (both INVASIVE non-natives) |
| Poanes zabulon Zabulon Skipper | Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), blackberry, Cirsium (thistle), Cephalanthus (buttonbush), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Vernonia (ironweed) | Agropyron (wheatgrass), Agrostis (bentgrass), Dactylis (orchardgrass), Elymis (wildrye), Eragrostis (lovegrass), Poa (bluegreass), Tridens flavus (purpletop grass) |
| Polites peckius Peck’s Skipper | Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), A. syriaca (common milkweed), Baptisia (wild indigo), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Cirsium (thistle), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Gomphrena (globe amaranth), Lavandula (lavender), Liatris (gayfeather), Lobelia, Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Salvia, Scabiosa (pincushion), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Taraxacum (dandelion), Verbena hastata (blue vervain), Vernonia noveboracensis (New York ironweed), Zinnia | Distichlis spicata (desert saltgrass), Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) |
Left to right: White-m hairstreak butterfly, pearl crescent butterfly (dorsal, ventral, and caterpillar),
cabbage white butterfly (dorsal (male) and ventral), zabulon skipper butterfly, and Peck’s skipper butterfly.
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Polygonia interrogationis Question Mark | Adults prefer tree sap, rotting fruit, and carrion but occasionally may feed on Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Crataegus (hawthoorn), Monarda, Silphium (rosinweed), Symphyotrichum (aster) | Celtis (hackberry), Humulus japonicus (Japanese hops–INVASIVE non-native), Tilia (basswood), Ulmus (elm), Urtica (nettles) |
| Protographium marcellus (formerly Eurytides marcellus) Zebra Swallowtail | Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), blackberry, blueberry, Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud), Syringa (lilac), Verbena | Asimina (pawpaw) |
| Pyrausta orphisalis* Orange Mint Moth | Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Monarda, Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Trifolium (clover) | Mentheae (Monarda, savory) |
| Scopula limboundata Large Lace-border Moth | Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry), Galium, Malus pumila (common apple), Polygonum (knotweed), Prunus serotina (black cherry), Rhexia virginica (meadow beauty), Taraxacum (dandelion), Trifolium (clover), Ulmus (elm), Vaccinium pallidum (hillside blueberry) | |
| Spilosoma virginica Virginian Tiger Moth (aka Yellow Woolybear) | Betula (birch), Carya (hickory), Cirsium (thistle), Cucurbitaceae (cucurbit family), Geranium, Helianthus annuus (common sunflower), Hydrangea, Julgans nigra (black walnut), Lilium (lily), Lonicera (honeysuckle), Oxalis (sorrel), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper), Pinus (pine), Plantago (plantain), Prunus serotina (black cherry), Rumex (dock), Salix (willow), Salvia, Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), Trifolium (clover), Verbena, Viola | |
| Strymon melinus Gray Hairstreak | Adults feed on a myriad of native and non-native species including Agastache (hyssop), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Boltonia, Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Cephalanthus (buttonbush), Clematis, Coreopsis (tickseed), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Geranium, Liatris (blazing star), Phlox, Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Taraxacum (dandelion), Verbena, Zinnia | Caterpillars feed on flowers and seeds of a myriad of species especially in the Fabaceae (pea family such as Desmodium canadense (tick-trefoil) and Trifolium (clover)), and the Malvaceae (mallow family such as Gossypium (cotton), Hibiscus, and Malva (mallow)), as well as Crataegus (hawthoorn), Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), Humulus lupulus (common hops), Pinus (pine), Polygonum (knotweed), Quercus (oak), Salvia, Scabiosa atropurpurea (pincushion flower), Sedum |
Left to right: Question mark butterfly, zebra swallowtail butterfly, orange mint moth, large lace-border moth,
yellow bear, and gray hairstreak butterfly (dorsal and ventral).
| Lepidopteran | Nectar Plants (for adults) | Host Plants (for caterpillars) |
|---|---|---|
| Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral | Adults prefer tree sap, fermenting fruit, bird droppings, and aphid honeydew, but also will visit Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Camassia (Indian hyacinth), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Claytonia (spring beauty), Clematis, Cornus (dogwood), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Mertensia (bluebell), Monarda, Physocarpus (ninebark), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Senecio (ragwort), Silphium (rosinweed), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster) | Urticacceae (nettle family), Humulus lupus (common hops) |
| Vanessa cardui Painted Lady (non-native) | Achillea (yarrow), Asclepias (milkweed), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Cephalanthus (buttonbush), Cirsium (thistle), Echinacea (purple coneflower), Erigeron (fleabane), Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed), Helianthius (sunflower), Liatris (blazing star), Lobelia, Lonicera (honeysuckle), Mertensia (bluebell), Monarda, Physocarpus (ninebark), Rudbeckia (orange coneflower), Salvia, Sedum (stonecrop), Senecio (ragwort), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster),Taraxacum (dandelion), Verbena, Vernonia (ironweed), Viburnum, Zinnia | More than 100 host plants including Alcea rosea (hollyhock), Artemisia ludoviciana (silver wormwood), Cirsium (including C. discolor (field thistle), Lupinius (lupine), Malva (mallow), Plantago major (broadleaf plantain) |
| Vanessa virginiensis American Lady | Asclepias syriaca (common) milkweed), Pycnanthemum (mountain mint), Scabiosa (pincushion), Solidago (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum (aster), Tagetes (marigold) | Antennaria (pussytoes), Antirrhinum (snapdragon), Cirsium (thistle), Artemisia (wormwood), Gamochaeta argyrinea (silver cudweed), Helianthus (sunflower), Impatiens, Malva (mallow), Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (sweet everlasting) Senecio (ragwort), Symphyotrichum (aster), Vernonia (ironweed) |
Left to right: Red-admiral butterfly, painted lady butterfly (dorsal, ventral, and caterpillar),
American lady butterfly (ventral, dorsal, and caterpillar.