These are larval plant foods, that is, the preferred plant on which the female butterfly lays her eggs, and which the larvae or caterpillar consumes the leaves. The following list of plants and the butterfly species that use them are only some of the many plants that can be grown to attract butterflies to your backyard or bush remnant. If a few individuals and community based groups engaged in rainforest regeneration and restoration projects adopt these larval food plants into proposed planting schemes, then it will be the butterflies that will benefit. In turn so too will the casual and serious observer of nature. The backyard gardener who can appreciate the end result of many 'chewed' leaves can contribute to the well being of these insects by providing a few shrubs or vines for caterpillar consumption.
Most plants listed are available from the various suppliers of native trees and shrubs.
By the production of this list it is hoped that these suppliers may be persuaded to stock those plants not so readily available. Further, it is intended to compile a future list of suitable nectar producing plants for attracting adult butterflies, information however is rather scant. The less desirable exotic flowers such as pentas and the dreaded lantana appear to be most popular as nectar sources. Observations of butterflies visiting the blossoms of native plants for nectar would be most welcome.