The plant's adaptability to your climate. Also, remember to include several varieties of both host and nectar plants in your garden to attract the greatest number and variety of butterfly. With butterflies, bold and brash is often the recipe for success. Host plants attract female butterflies, provide egg-laying sites, provide food for larvae, and ensure a continued butterfly population in your area. Nectar-producing plants attract both male and female plants and provide food for them.
Most pesticides are harmful either to adult butterflies, caterpillars, eggs, or pupae.
Use manual control of pests in conjunction with biological controls and some insecticidal soaps. The following list of nectar and host or larval food plants includes some of the most commonly recommended plants which are also readily available through retail and mail-order nurseries. Also, some plants cited serve a dual role as both food plants and nectar sources. Refer to the bibliography for more information on selecting plants for your butterfly garden. Daucus carota var.