Butterflies

(Order: Lepidoptera)

January 2000 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet Number 15

General Information

Butterflies have been admired for centuries for their

physical beauty and behavioral display. These colorful

insects frequent open, sunny wildflower gardens,

grassy fields and orchards, feeding on nectar from

flowering plants. Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, which means scale-winged. The order contains over 19,000 species of butterflies and 100,000

species of moths worldwide. Over 700 butterfly species occur in North America.

The life history of butterflies includes extremely short

adult life spans in some species, a four-staged lifecycle, and migration and hibernation activity in some

species. The complex butterfly life cycle includes existence as an egg, larva (caterpillar), and pupa before developing into an adult butterfly. The resiliency of some butterfly species is illustrated by their ability to travel

great distances. The Monarch, perhaps the most commonly known species in the United States, journeys more

than 2,000 miles to winter in warmer climates. The life span of adult butterflies ranges between one week and

eight months, and averages two to three weeks in length.

Land use changes and development have resulted in significant losses of native butterfly habitat across the

United States. As a result, the popularity of wildflower gardens and plantings to attract butterflies and other

valuable pollinating insects and birds has increased. Historically, butterfly enthusiasts collected butterflies with

nets and preserved them in display cases for viewing. Fortunately, during the past few decades appreciation for

butterflies has been evolving from these consumptive uses to conservation measures. An increased knowledge

and understanding of the importance of butterflies and the symbiotic balance that exists between them and the

plant species they pollinate and rely on for food has helped to foster this transition.

This leaflet is designed to highlight the ecological and aesthetic importance of butterfly species found within the

United States, serve as an introduction to butterfly habitat requirements, and assist land managers in butterfly

management planning. The success of management efforts depends on consideration of the needs of the desired

species and analyzing and managing the available habitat to ensure that all required habitat elements are present.

This leaflet provides a number of practical habitat management activities that can be conducted to attract butterflies and help support existing populations.

Distribution and Range

Distribution: Butterflies have nearly global distribution, present on every continent except Antarctica. The butterfly species found in North America that are covered in this leaflet belong to six families containing numerous

subfamilies.

Range: Within the United States, the ranges of individual butterfly species, as well as individual butterflies

within those species, vary with migration habits and geographic region. A species inhabiting a warmer region

may have a small range, whereas a species inhabiting a region with a winter season may migrate to warmer climates in colder months, thus possessing a much larger range. Monarch butterflies range from the northern

Wildlife Habitat Management Institute

Monarch
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

2

United States in summer to Central America in winter. While adult Monarchs migrate south in the fall, it is their

offspring that complete the return trip in the spring.

Butterflies of the United States

There are over 700 species of butterflies in the United States belonging to six different families. Butterflies occur in all 50 states.

Habitat Requirements

General

Throughout the United States, butterflies can be found in and around a multitude of habitats ranging from sunny,

dry open meadows to shaded, damp woods. Among the many habitats in which butterflies live are backyards,

wildflower gardens and meadows, open brushy areas, old fields, open grassy woodlands, wooded stream-sides,

hardwood and coniferous forests, willow swales, birch-aspen forests, citrus groves, marshes, wet meadows,

woodland edges, disturbed areas, roadsides, cut-over and second-growth forests, mountainous regions, lowlands,

still canyons, deserts, flats, sand dunes, and shore areas. In order to complete its life cycle, an individual butterfly may require multiple vegetation types to satisfy its food and cover needs. Host plants (plants fed upon by

caterpillars) often differ completely from the vegetation required by adult butterflies, which are commonly nectar sources. Caterpillars feed on a variety of trees, shrubs, herbs, legumes, forbs, grasses, and sedges; whereas

adult butterflies feed from a variety of flowering plants and wildflowers. Because Lepidopterans are so widely

distributed and diverse in the types of foods they eat, butterflies forage in nearly all habitat types in the regions

Dogface

Mariposa

Copper

Family Subfamilies/Member Species

Hesperiidae

(skippers)

skippers, longtails, agunas, flashers,

dashes, cloudywings, flats,

pellicias, bollas, sootywings,

scallopwings, duskywings,

skipperlings

Lycaenidae

(gossamer-wings)

coppers, hairstreaks, elfins, blues,

azures

Nymphalidae

(brush-footed

butterflies)

snouts, fritillaries, buckeyes,

silverspots, queens, heliconians,

checkerspots, zebra, ladies, Julia

crescents, commas, crackers,

tortoiseshells, peacocks, purples,

mimic, admirals, sisters, bluewings,

sailors, beauties, purplewings,

satyrs, browns, daggerwings,

leafwings, emperors, elf, monarch,

soldiers, pearlyeyes, wood nymphs,

alpines, arctics, question mark,

Baltimore

Papilionidae

(swallowtails)

swallowtails, parnassians

Pieridae

(whites and sulphurs)

whites, sulphers, marbles,

orangetips, yellows, dogfaces

Riodinidae

(metalmarks)

metalmarks

Least Skipper

Western

Checkerspot

Black

Swallowtail

Arizona Metalmark
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

3

they inhabit. The cover provided by crevices in tree bark, log piles, cracks in buildings, and butterfly boxes provide hibernacula for overwintering butterflies.

The removal and alteration of flowering trees, shrubs, vines, natural wildflower meadows, native prairies,

woodlands, wetlands, brushy areas, hedgerows, and other natural vegetation and the general intensification of

rural land uses has reduced habitat quality and availability for many butterfly species. By preserving woodlands, open grassy areas, and wildflower meadows, and providing additional food and cover sources through

tree, shrub, grass, and wildflower plantings, landowners can assist in the survival of butterflies and other species

that rely on similar habitat.

Food

With the exception of a few species whose caterpillars feed on aphids and ants, butterflies rely nearly entirely on

plants for food. Hundreds of different plant foods are eaten by butterflies in the United States. Plant foods preferred by the caterpillar of a butterfly species often differ from those preferred by the adult. Caterpillars feed on

the leaves of trees and shrubs, garden perennials, vegetables, wild legumes, wildflowers, grasses and weeds.

Adult butterflies rely almost solely on nectar for food. Adults of some species also obtain nutrients and minerals

from rotting fruit, tree sap, animal dung and urine, and carrion. Although some butterfly species prefer one food

plant over another, many species are generalists, opportunistically feeding on whatever plants are available. On

the other hand, some species specialize on particular plants, and only occur where these host plants exist. Lists

of common caterpillar food plants and adult nectar sources are provided in the appendices on pages 9-11.

Cover - Plants

Cover needs of butterfly caterpillars are typically met by host food plants. Feeding caterpillars often blend in

with host plants or are hidden by their foliage. Leaves of trees and shrubs provide adult perching sites for feeding, sunning and loafing and provide overhead cover from wind and rain. Leaves and branches of trees, shrubs,

wildflowers and other plant types serve as substrates for butterfly eggs as well. Grasses and soil harbor eggs of

butterflies that broadcast them over an area rather than laying them directly on vegetation. Grasses and soil also

provide perching and roosting sites for adults. Adults may hibernate in tree bark crevices or under exfoliating

bark. Tangled thickets, hedgerows, and vines also conceal butterflies from predators and provide protective

cover from wind and rain.

Cover - Other

Rock piles, log piles, and open buildings are a few structures that provide protective cover and hibernacula for

butterflies. Their adaptive nature enables butterflies to occupy virtually any dry structure or area that provides

protection from wind and predators and a warm or sunny environment.

Cover - Winter

Most North American butterflies spend the winter in larval stages in various types of leaf litter and plant material. Those species that over-winter as adults generally require cover in the cold season similar to that required

in other months. Thick vegetation located in valleys, lowlands, or on southeast facing slopes provides necessary

protection from cold winds. Most North American butterflies spend winter in the larval stages in various types

of leaf litter and plant materials.

Water

Water requirements of caterpillars are partially met by consumption of green vegetation, whereas nectar provides adult butterflies with adequate water. However, adult butterflies will "puddle," or gather to drink, at small

mud puddles, birdbaths, and damp sandy areas. Butterflies will also puddle around campfire rings, urine spots,

salt licks, or other areas where valuable nutrients can be gathered. Puddling may be more a function of nutrient

uptake than water requirements.

Interspersion of Habitat Components

In order to ensure successful butterfly reproduction and survival, all required habitat components must be available in close proximity. Vegetation diversity is most important in areas that support overwintering butterflies, as

the area must provide all vegetation types necessary to support all four life cycle stages. Ideal interspersion of
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

4

butterfly habitat components consists of a closely-spaced complex of diverse vegetation consisting of caterpillar

food and nectar-producing plants (trees, shrubs, wildflowers, legumes, and grasses), open water and puddling

areas, rock and log piles, and other structures that provide cover.

Minimum Habitat Area

Although butterflies may forage in areas as large as several square miles, no reasonable estimate of minimum

habitat size exists for butterflies as a group. A species can potentially be found anywhere within its range wherever adequate caterpillar and adult food and cover plants exist. These ranges vary greatly by species. Also,

large colonies of butterflies may require proportionally greater foraging areas than individuals. Because most

adult butterflies share similar ecological requirements as adults, many different species may inhabit the same

habitat type. Territoriality exists among adult male butterflies, and is most commonly seen around puddling

sites. Males establish territories to improve chances of mating, and compete for space both inter- and intraspecifically. Territories are not large in size (sometimes as small as one or two square yards); thus, many territories

may exist within a single group of butterflies in an area. Minimum habitat size is not usually a limiting factor

for most generalist species.

Butterfly Habitat Requirements Summary Table

Habitat Component Habitat Requirements

Food – Caterpillar • Leaves and foliage of native plants including quaking aspen, elm, ash, hawthorn, poplar,

cottonwood, hackberry, willow, winter cress, false nettle, viburnum, mallows, cinquefoil, asters, rock cress, carrots, clovers, vetch, nettle, grasses, and others. Non-native

plants consumed include fruit trees, alfalfa, cabbage, lilacs, parsley, dill, sweet pea, and

others.

Food – Adult • Nectar-producing flowers of butterfly bush, butterfly weed, purple coneflower, asters,

Joe-Pye weed, coreopsis, black-eyed Susan, liatris, pentas, and many others.

Cover - Plants • Leaves and branches of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and other plants.

• Grasses.

• Tree bark, tangled thickets, hedgerows, vines.

Cover - Other • Rock piles, log piles, cracks in buildings, virtually any dry structure or area that provides

protection from wind and predators and a warm or sunny environment.

Cover - Winter • Similar to other cover requirements.

• Diversity of plant types as thick vegetation located in valleys, lowland, or on southeast

facing slopes.

Water/Nutrients • Water requirements are met primarily through nectar and other foods consumed.

• Small mud puddles, birdbaths, and damp sandy spots are used as puddling areas.

Interspersion • Prefer a closely-spaced complex of diverse vegetation (caterpillar food plants and nectarproducing plants such as trees, shrubs, wildflowers, legumes and grasses), open water

and puddling areas, rock and log piles, and other plants and structures that provide food

and cover.

Minimum Habitat

Size

• No reasonable estimate of minimum habitat size exists for butterflies. Territoriality varies by species.

Butterfly Habitat Management

Wildflower plantings – Planting wildflower gardens or meadows that contain an assortment of native

trees, shrubs, and grasses is one of the easiest means of attracting butterflies to an area. Because adult

butterflies rely heavily on nectar as their primary food source, wildflower gardens are most beneficial

when planted with a variety of native wildflower species that bloom in different months throughout the

growing season. Small backyards, porches, and office courtyards may be made attractive to butterflies

simply by providing a few flower boxes or small plantings. Larger areas can be planted to expansive

wildflower, tree, and shrub gardens or meadows. Plants selected should be native to the area and seed

sources should be from plants adapted to the local climate. Extreme care should be taken to avoid use

of invasive species when establishing horticultural plantings for butterflies and other wildlife (see
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

5

Marinelli and Hanson 1996, in References section). Both broadcast seeding (spreading seed over an

area by hand or hand-held spreader) or mechanical seeding using a no-till drill can be employed to

plant wildflowers, depending on the planting area’s size and topography. Application rates may differ

among species planted. Preparing the seedbed is crucial. Where broadcast seeding is used, the soil

surface should be disturbed by raking or shallow disking to promote good seed to soil contact. Raking

the soil following broadcast seeding (when

practical) will aid with this as well. No-till

drills can be used to sow seeds directly into existing vegetation that is either dead-standing or

growing at a height of eight inches or less.

Seed can be sown directly into stubble when

wildflower meadows are planted in harvested

crop fields. Areas covered by dense grassy

vegetation can be prepared for no-till seeding

by applying a biodegradable, broad-spectrum

herbicide (e.g., Glyphosate) in the spring, and

again two to three weeks prior to planting if

vegetation persists. Consult federal or state

conservation professionals before planning a

wildflower meadow project. These professionals can help with preparation activities (especially herbicide application) and may be helpful

in obtaining plant seed and seeding equipment.

Garden design - Wildflower gardens that include

taller trees and shrubs behind shorter species (as

shown in the picture on the right) can be aesthetically

pleasing. Wildflower meadows generally cover a

larger area and can be planted with any mixture of native wildflowers. Adding a small amount of native

prairie grass seed into the wildflower mixture can be

beneficial. Garden and meadow edges should be irregular to give the plantings a natural look. Irregular

edges also create more usable edge for wildlife.

Create "puddles" - Provide a source of water in the

form of shallow, lined depressions or puddles, small

fish ponds, birdbaths, or simply a sand-filled bowl

buried in the ground that will collect water to help attract butterflies to wildflower plantings.

Maintenance - Wildflowers may grow little in the

year they are sown, as plants expend most of their energy on establishing root systems. Wildflowers should

not be mown the first year; however, hand-pulling weeds from beds may be necessary if practical.

Mowing wildflower meadows once annually in the early spring (March-April according to region) to a

height of eight to ten inches will help reduce competition from weeds. Mowing on this schedule will

also leave good residual cover at year's end for caterpillars and other wildlife that may use the wildflowers for winter cover. Pesticide use should be kept to a minimum to support the full range of native

insects, including butterflies.

Wildflower gardens can be enhanced

by including taller trees and shrubs.

Wildflowers can be planted in herbaceous riparian

areas and other buffer practices to enhance butterfly

habitat quality.
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

6

Species to Plant - Planting native vegetation that

grows at varying rates, blooms at different times of

the year, and contains a multitude of colors will create the most attractive garden or meadow possible.

Experimenting with a wide variety of plantings is

recommended to attract a diversity of butterfly species. Whenever possible, a combination of the plant

foods listed on page three should be planted. Appendices 1 and 2 provide a more exhaustive list of plants

that support various butterfly species. Native grasses

comprise an important component of butterfly habitat

and should be included in large wildflower plantings.

Common native grass species include: big bluestem

(Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (A. scoparius),

broom sedge (A. virginicus), side-oats grama

(Bouteloua curtipendula), switch grass (Panicum

virgatum), purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis),

Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides).

Limiting Factors

For planning purposes, use the table below to subjectively rate the availability and quality of butterfly

habitat within a planning area, based on descriptions of the above habitat requirements. Habitat communities and components that are absent or rated low are likely limiting butterfly habitat quality. Land

uses on adjacent properties may need to be considered to accurately rate the quality of the planning

area as butterfly habitat, and management goals should focus on addressing habitat components that

are absent, in short supply, and not found nearby.

Availability/Quality

Habitat Component High Medium Low Absent

Food - Caterpillar

Food - Adult

Cover - Plants

Cover - Other

Water

Interspersion of habitat components

Management Prescriptions

Management treatments should address the habitat components that are determined to be limiting butterfly habitat potential. For planning purposes, select among the possible action items listed below to

raise the quality or availability of each habitat component determined to be limiting. Applicable

NRCS conservation practices and various programs that may provide financial or technical assistance

to carry out specific management actions are listed.

Butterfly Boxes -- Butterfly boxes are easy

to assemble and can provide cover for overwintering butterflies in areas of high visibility or

that lack hibernation habitat. Butterfly boxes can

be constructed of practically any type of wood

and can be placed vertically on trees, within

wildflower gardens, or on buildings. Exterior

surfaces of boxes should be painted, caulked and

sealed to provide a dry, draft-free interior.

Dimensions: Standard butterfly box dimensions

are three feet tall by six inches wide by six inches

deep. However, box dimensions (height, width

and depth) can be adjusted to accommodate

placement of the box. Two 3/4-inch wide slits

should be cut vertically into the front of the box,

extending at least 2/3 of the box height, to enable

butterflies to enter and exit. A hinge can be

placed on the lid to monitor box use.
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

7

Habitat

Component

Management Options for Increasing

Habitat Quality or Availability

Assistance

Programs

• Plant or encourage trees such as quaking aspen, elm, ash, hawthorn,

poplar, fruit trees, cottonwood, hackberry, and willow; plant native

forbs.

• Plant wildflower meadows and gardens to include nectar-producing

plants such as butterfly bush, butterfly weed, purple coneflower, asters,

Joe-Pye weed, coreopsis, black-eyed Susan, liatris, pentas and others.

• Encourage native legumes (clovers, partridge pea, lespedeza), dock,

milk weed, nettle, and native grasses.

327, 380, 386, 390, 391,

422, 645, 647, 650

WHIP, EQIP, PFW, CRP

• Reduce pesticide and herbicide use in agricultural areas when possible;

limit herbicide and insecticide use on grassland, forb and orchard communities to small areas or use mechanical means of pest control to

minimize loss of nectar-producing trees, shrubs, flowers, and forbs.

Food

• Maintain natural and planted grassland/forb communities by conducting

prescribed rotational burning and rotational mowing when and where

appropriate.

338, 645, 647

WHIP, EQIP, PFW, CRP

• Restore hydrology and vegetation in herbaceous and forested wetlands. 657

WRP, PFW

• Preserve existing trees, shrubs, vines, hedgerows, and wildflowers; preserve vegetational diversity in open meadows, woodlots, hedgerows,

field borders and other natural vegetative communities.

327, 386, 650

CRP, EQIP

• In regions where trees are part of natural landscapes, plant or encourage

quaking aspen, elm, ash, hawthorn, poplar, fruit trees, cottonwood,

hackberry, and willow trees within wildflower meadows and gardens.

380, 391

WHIP, EQIP, CRP

Cover

• Preserve or create rock piles, log piles, and thickets.

• Create small ponds or puddles, birdbaths, and damp sandy areas within

wildflower gardens and backyards.

Water

• Restore hydrology and vegetation in herbaceous and forested wetlands. 657

WRP, PFW

Interspersion • Combine above prescriptions to increase interspersion of habitat components or amount of suitable butterfly habitat.

NRCS Conservation Practices that may be useful in undertaking the above management actions.

Code Conservation Practice Code Conservation Practice

327 Conservation Cover 422 Hedgerow Planting

338 Prescribed Burning 645 Upland Wildlife Management

380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment 647 Early Successional Habitat Development

386 Field Border 650 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation

390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover 657 Wetland Restoration

391 Riparian Forest Buffer

Tiger Swallowtail Pacific Checkerspot
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

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Programs that provide technical and financial assistance to develop fish and wildlife habitat on

private lands.

Program Land Eligibility Type of Assistance Contact

Conservation Reserve

Program (CRP)

Highly erodible land,

wetland, and certain

other lands with

cropping history.

Stream-side areas in

pasture land.

50% cost-share for establishing permanent cover and

conservation practices, and annual rental payments

for land enrolled in 10 to 15-year contracts. Additional financial incentives are available for some

practices.

NRCS or FSA State or

County Office

Environmental Quality

Incentives Program

(EQIP)

Cropland, range,

grazing land & other

agricultural land in

need of treatment.

Up to 75% cost-share for conservation practices in

accordance with 5 to 10-year contracts. Incentive

payments for certain management practices.

NRCS State or County

Office

Partners for Fish and

Wildlife Program

(PFW)

Most degraded fish

and/or wildlife habitat.

Up to 100% financial and technical assistance to

restore wildlife habitat under minimum 10-year cooperative agreements.

Local office of the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service

Waterways for Wildlife Private land Technical and program development assistance to

coalesce habitat efforts of corporations and private

landowners to meet common watershed level goals.

Wildlife Habitat Council

(301-588-8994)

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)Previously degraded

wetland and adjacent

upland buffer, with

limited amount of

natural wetland, and

existing or restorable

riparian areas.

75% cost share for wetland restoration under 10-year

contracts, and 30-year easements, and 100% costshare on restoration under permanent easements.

Payments for purchase of 30-year or permanent conservation easements.

NRCS State or County

Office

Wildlife at Work Corporate land. Technical assistance on developing habitat projects

into a program that will allow companies to involve

employees and the community

Wildlife Habitat Council

(301-588-8994)

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)High-priority fish and

wildlife habitat in

your state.

Up to 75% cost-share for conservation practices under 5 to 10-year contracts.NRCS State or County

Office

State fish and wildlife agencies, private groups such as the Xerces Society and the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) may also have assistance programs, available literature, or other useful tools

in your state.

State or local contacts

References

Gunnarson, L. and F. Haselsteiner. 1990. Butterfly gardening. The Xerces Society/Smithsonian Institution.

Sierra Club Bo oks, San Francisco. The National Wildlife Federation, Washington, DC. 191 pp.

Henry, P. 1994. Gardening to attract birds and butterflies. Avon Books, New York. 80 pp.

Marinelli, J., and B. Hansen, eds. 1996. Invasive plants: weeds of the global garden. Brooklyn

Botanical Garden Handbook No. 149. Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Inc., Brooklyn, NY. 111 pp.

Opler, Paul A., H. Pavulaan, and R. E. Stanford. 1995. Butterflies of North America. Jamestown, ND:

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page.

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa/htm (Version 02SEP99).

Schneck, M. 1990. Butterflies - How to identify and attract them to your garden. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA.

160 pp.

Stokes, D., L. Stokes, and E. Williams. 1991. Butterfly book: the complete guide to butterfly gardening,

identification, and behavior. Little, Brown and Company Limited, Toronto, Canada. 96 pp.
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

9

Tufts, C. and P. Loewer. 1995. Gardening for wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation. Round Stone Press,

Inc. Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA. 192 pp.

Appendix 1. Common caterpillar food plants and species attracted to them.

Plant Plant type Butterfly species attracted

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) forb clouded sulphur, alfalfa sulphur, eastern tailed blue

Aspen (Populus spp.) tree white admiral, red-spotted purple, western admiral, Lorquin's

admiral, viceroy, mourning cloak, tiger swallowtail, western tiger

swallowtail

Birch (Betula spp.) tree mourning cloak, white admiral

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) shrub brown elfin

Cherry (Prunus spp.) tree, shrub red-spotted purple, tiger swallowtail, spring azure

Clover (Trifolium spp.) forb clouded sulphur, alfalfa sulphur, eastern tailed blue

Dogwood (Cornus spp.) tree, shrub spring azure

Elm (Ulmus spp.) tree comma, question mark, mourning cloak

Everlasting (Gnaphalium spp.) forb American painted lady

False indigo (Amorpha spp.) shrub dog face, silver-spotted skipper

False nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) forb red admiral, question mark, comma, Milbert's tortoiseshell

Grasses, sedges - various genera common wood nymph, little wood satyr, eyed brown, ringlet, fiery

skipper, European skipper

Hackberry (Celtis spp.) tree question mark, comma, hackberry butterfly, tawny emperor, snout

butterfly, mourning cloak

Knotweed (Polygonum spp.) forb purplish copper

Locust (Robinia spp.) tree, shrub silver-spotted skipper

Lupine (Lupinus spp.) forb silvery blue, other blues

Mallow (Malva spp.) forb west coast lady, gray hairstreak

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) forb monarch, queen

Oak (Quercus spp.) tree, shrub sister, banded hairstreak

Passionflower (Passiflora spp.) forb gulf fritillary, zebra

Pawpaw (Asimina spp.) tree zebra swallowtail

Pipevine (Aristolochia spp.) forb pipevine swallowtail

Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) forb black swallowtail, anise swallowtail

Dock (Rumex spp.) forb American copper, purplish copper

Spicebush, sassafras (Lindera spp.) shrub spicebush swallowtail, tiger swallowtail

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.) forb Phoebus parnassian

Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) tree tiger swallowtail

Turtlehead (Chelone spp.) forb Baltimore, buckeye

Vetch (Vicia spp.) forb alfalfa sulphur, eastern tailed blue, western tailed blue, other blues

Violet (Viola spp.) forb great spangled fritillary, meadow fritillary, other fritillaries

Willow (Salix spp.) tree, shrub western admiral, Lorquin's admiral, viceroy, mourning cloak,

western tiger swallowtail

Winter cress (Barbarea spp.) forb Sara orange tip, falcate orange tip, cabbage white
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

10

Appendix 2. Common adult butterfly nectar sources.

Annuals Height (ft.) Color

 Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) 3 pink, whites

 Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) 1 purple

 Lunaria, honestly (Lunaria annua) 2-3 purple, white

 Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) 3-5 yellow, orange

 Nicotiana, flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) 2 pinks, whites

 Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) 1.5 purple, rose, white

Perennials (early)

 Arabis (Arabis albida) .5 white

 Purple rock cress (Aubrieta deltoidea) .5 purple

Perennials (midseason)

 Bee balm (Monarda didyma) 3 pink, red

 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) 3 yellow

 Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) 2-3 orange

 Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) 1 blue-purple

 Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) 2 yellow

 Daisy, shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum) 2-3 white

 Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) 2-3 yellow, orange, peach,

pink

 Erigeron, fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) 1-3 lavender-blue

 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 1-3 purple

 Liatris, blazing star (Liatris spp.) 2-4 mauve

 Lily (Lilium spp.) 2-5 yellow, pink, white, red

 Mint (Mentha spp.) 1-4 purple, white

 Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) 2-3 pink, white

 Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) 3-5 yellow

Perennials (late)

 Aster (Aster spp.) 3-5 purple, ruby, pink, blue

 Globe thistle (Echinops exaltatus) 2-4 purple

 Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) 2.5-4 pink

 Showy sedum (Sedum spectabile vulgaris) 1-1.5 pink

Wildflowers (early) Height (ft.) Color

 Clover (Trifolium spp.) .5 pink, white

 Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.) .5-1 yellow, orange

 Winter cress (Barbarea spp.) 1-1.5 yellow

Wildflowers (midseason)

 Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) 1-2 orange

 Daisy, oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum

leucanthemum)

1-2 white

 Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) 1-2 pink

 Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) 3 pink

 Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum spp.) 1-2.5 white

 Vetch (Vicia spp.) 6 purple
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

11

 Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) 3-4 lavender

 Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) 2 white

Wildflowers (late)

 Aster (Aster spp., A. novae-angliae) 4 purple-blue

 Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) 4-5 white

 Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 3 yellow

 Ironweed (Veronia spp.) 3-7 purple

 Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium spp.) 5-9 pinkish, purple

Shrubs (early)

 Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) up to 18 pink, purple, white

 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) 15 yellow

Shrubs (midseason)

 Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) 6-15 purple

 Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 15 white

 New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) 3 white

 Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) 4-6 white

Shrubs (late)

 Bluebeard (Caryopteris clandonensis) 2-4 blue

 Sweet pepperbush (Clethra arborea) 25 white

Trees

 Buckeye (Aesculus spp.) 75 white, greenish yellow,

pink

 Plum, cherry (Prunus spp.) 20-30 pink

 Willow (Salix spp.) 10-45 greenish yellow
Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

12

NRCS

Wildlife Habitat Management Institute

100 Webster Circle, Suite 3

Madison, MS 39110

(601) 965-5886

In cooperation with partners, the

mission of the Wildlife Habitat

Management Institute is to develop

and disseminate scientifically based

technical materials that will assist

NRCS field staffs and others to

promote conservation stewardship of

fish and wildlife and deliver sound

habitat management principles and

practices to America’s land users.

www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov/whmi

Wildlife

Habitat Council

1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 920

Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 588-8994

The Wildlife Habitat Council's

mission is to increase the amount

of quality wildlife habitat on

corporate, private, and public land.

WHC engages corporations, public

agencies, and private, non-profit

organizations on a voluntary basis

as one team for the recovery,

development, and preservation of

wildlife habitat worldwide.

www.wildlifehc.org

We received helpful comments

on the draft manuscript from

Jane Austin, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife

Research Center, Jamestown, ND, and

Diane Debinski, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

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