Host Plants for Caterpillars

There’s a good reason to choose keystone plants for the landscape – they are crucial to the foodweb in an ecosystem. The foliage (for caterpillars) or pollen (for bees) support the largest number of these insect species, creating the best chance of high biodiversity in our gardens.

Keystone Plants

The top keystone genera (closely related species) for lepidoptera, or butterfly and moth caterpillars, in our region are Quercus (oaks); Prunus, including black cherry, American plum, and chokecherry; Betula (birch); Populus, eastern cottonwood and aspens; and Acer (maples). The list goes on and can be found on the National Wildlife Federation page for the Eastern Temperate Forest region of the U.S., which includes Ohio.

A similar list exists for specialist bees which require particular plants for pollen collection. Keystone genera for specialist bees include Vaccinium (blueberries), Salix (willows), Symphyotrichum (asters), Helianthus (sunflowers), and Rudbeckia (black-eyed susans and some coneflowers).

A variety of these plants, preferably in mass plantings, will optimize a gardener’s chances of supporting many species of insects. These insects, in turn, feed birds and other wildlife.

Other Host Plants

coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is one host plants for clearwing moths

While keystone species are vital, other garden plants can be chosen to attract specific butterflies and moths to the yard. Focusing on some of these host plant / lepidoptera relationships contributes to an understanding of what is attracting the large number of butterfly and moth species present at Catchfly Commons. According to our observation list, 27 species of butterflies and 37 species of moths have been spotted, photographed, and correctly identified on the property. They are harder to spot in their larval, or caterpillar stage because they are vulnerable to predation, so have a variety of adaptations in an effort to outsmart their predators. Four species of butterfly caterpillars and 23 species of moth caterpillars have been documented on the property.

The question of how these insects find Catchfly Commons is an interesting one since we are surrounded by typical rural yards and fields, and we haven’t really explored the possibilities as yet. But the answer to why these insects make a home here, either temporary or permanent, is clear: their host plants exist on the property.

Examples

Here are some examples of the most charismatic of the lepidoptera seen at Catchfly Commons, either as adults or larvae, and their host plants.

Black Swallowtail

Host Plants at Catchfly Commons
golden alexander, heart leaf golden alexander, dill, fennel, parsley

Other Hosts
The apiaceae (carrot), rutaceae (citrus) families, including celery, carrot, rue, Queen Anne’s lace

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Host Plants at Catchfly Commons
magnolia, willow, chokecherry

Other Hosts
The magnoliaceae (magnolia) family and wild cherry, sweetbay, tulip tree, basswood, ash, birch

Giant Swallowtail

Host Plants at Catchfly Commons
hoptree

Other Hosts
The rutaceae (citrus) family, including prickly ash, common rue

Painted Lady

Host Plants at Catchfly Commons
thistle, hibiscus (mallow)

Other Hosts
The asteraceae (aster), fabaceae (pea) family(ies), more than 100 plant hosts are noted; also other composites. Legumes preferred, many other low growing plants, burdock, hollyhock, lupine