These butterflies are more common in gardens and parks than in the foothills and mountains. On this page, favorite nectar sources where adults can be found are listed as well as the common garden plants that the caterpillars eat. Adult Nectar Sources Butterflies are seen to prefer single flowers with a perching platform and nectar-filled tubes. The length of the proboscis, or straw-like tongue for sipping, which varies from species to species, determines which flowers the butterfly uses.
Composites are daisy-like flowers.
Those commonly grown in suburban gardens include zinnias, marigolds, asters, cosmos, coneflowers, gaillardias and black-eyed susans, otherwise known as gloriosa daisies. Although a butterfly species may have been recorded throughout the year in Los Angeles County, they are most abundant in the warmer months, locally, late June through October. Migrators which pass through earlier and later and hibernators which may fly on a warm day in any season are the exceptions. Flight season may be prolonged when a variety of nectar sources is available in a garden. Painted Lady and West Coast Lady also nectar at these plants.