Here is a Butterfly Host Plant list I put together for the southern states
Butterflies most common to the South/ South East United States and their Host Plants
The exceptions are South Florida and South Texas which get Butterflies we only dream about and I only covered a few of the Skippers as there are far to many of them.
Note some plants listed are invasive and I do not recommend them being plant but are listed only because they came up in my research and you may come across caterpillars on them wild when you are out searching. Always research your plants and grow natives local to your area when at all possible
SWALLOWTAILS
Giant Swallowtail
- Citrus family, Rutaceae
1. Ptelea trifoliata - Common Hoptree, Wafer Ash
2. Zanthoxylum clava - Herculis - Hercules-club
3. Zanthoxylum fagara - Wild Lime
4. Zanthoxylum americanum - Prickly Ash
5. Citrus aurantifolia - Key Lime
6. Citrus limon - Lemon
7. Citrus reticulata - Tangerine
8. Citrus sinensis - Sweet Orange
9. Cirtrus x paradisi - Grapefruit
10. Citrus aurantium - Sour Orange
11. Ruta graveolens - Rue
Spicebush Swallowtail
- Laurel family, Lauraceae
1. Persea borbonia var. borbonia - Red Bay
2. Persea borbonia var. humilis - Silk Bay
3. Persea palustris - Swamp Bay
4. Sassafras albidum - Sassafras
5. Lindera benzoin - Spicebush
6. Cinnamomum camphora - Camphor tree
7. Litsea aestivalis - Pondspice
Pipevine Swallowtail
- Pipevine family, Aristolochiaceae
1. Aristolochia macrophylla - big leaf pipevine
2. Aristolochia tomentosa - Woolly pipevine
3. Aristolochia serpentaria - Virginia snakeroot
4. Aristolochia californica - California pipevine
5. Aristolochia fimbriata - white-veined Duchman's pipe
6. Aristolochia duror-
7. Aristolochia littoralis/elegans- Calico Flower
8. Aristolochia gigantea
9. Aristolochia trilobata
10. Aristolochia ringens
Eastern Black Swallowtail
- Rue family, Rutaceae
- Carrot family, Apiaceae
1. Ruta graveolens - Rue
2. Anethum graveolens - Dill
3. Foeniculum vulgare - Sweet Fennel, also Bronze Fennel
4. Petroselinum crispum - Parsley
5. Cicuta maculata - Spotted Water Hemlock - extremely poisonous if consumed
6. Oxypolis filiformis - Water Cowbane - extremely poisonous if consumed
7. Ptilimnium capillaceum - Mock Bishopweed
8. Spermolepis divaricata - Roughfruit Scaleseed
9. Eryngium cuneifolium - Wedgeleaf Eryngo
10. Daucus carota - Queen Anne's Lace
Palamedes Swallowtail
- Laurel family, Lauraceae
1. Persea borbonia var. borbonia - Red Bay
2. Persea borbonia var. humilis - Silk Bay
3. Persea palustris - Swamp Bay
4. Sassafras albidum - Sassafras
Zebra Swallowtail
- Custard-Apple family, Annonaceae
1. Asimina triloba - Common Pawpaw
2. Asimina pygmaea - Dwarf Pawpaw
3. Asimina angustifolia - Slim leaf Pawpaw
4. Asimina incana - Wooly Pawpaw
5. Asmina obovata - Bigflower Pawpaw
6. Asmina parviflora - Smallflower Pawpaw
7. Asmina pygmaea - Dwarf Pawpaw
8. Asmina reticulata - Netted Pawpaw
9. Asmina tetramera - Fourpetaled Pawpaw
10. Deeringothamnus pulchellus - Pretty False Pawpaw
11. Deeringothamnus rugelii - Rugel's False Pawpaw
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
- Rose family, Rosaceae
- Magnolia family, Magnoliaceae
- Olive family, Oleaceae
1. Prunus serotina - Wild Black Cherry
2. Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Poplar
3. Magnolia virginiana - Sweetbay
4. Fraxinus americana - White Ash
5. Fraxinus caroliniana - Carolina Ash
6. Fraxinus pennsyvanica - Green Ash
SULPHURS
- Bean family, Fabaceae
Cloudless Sulphur & Sleepy Orange
1. Cassia/Senna alata - Candlestick plant
2. Chamaecrista fasciculata - Partridge Pea
3. Chamaecrista nictitans - Sensative pea
4. Cassia obtusifolia - Sicklepod
5. Cassia bicapsularis - Christmas Senna
6. Cassia surattensis - Glaucous Cassia
7. Senna mexicana - Bahama Senna
8. Senna ligustrina - Privet Senna
9. Cassia javanica - Apple Blossom Cassia, Pink Cassia as well
as many others in the Senna/Cassia family
Southern Dogface
1. Plants of the Pea family
2. Amorpha fruticosa - jerk Indigobush
3. Dalea feayi - Feay's Prairie Clover
4. Dalea pinnata - Summer Farewell
Orange (Alfalfa) Sulphur
1. Plants of the Pea family
2. Melilotus albus - White Sweetclover
3. Trifolium repens - White Clover
4. Medicago lupulina - Black Medick
5. Medicago sativa - Alfalfa
Little Yellow
1. Plants in the Pea family
2. Mimosa strigillosa - Powderpuff
WHITES
Cabbage White
- Mustard family, Brassicaceae
1. Brassica oleracea - Garden Vegetable Cabbage
2. Brassica juncea - India Mustard
3. Brassica nigra - Abyssinian Mustard
4. Brassica rapa - Turnip
5. Raphanus raphanistrum - Wild Radish
6. Raphanus sativus - Garden Radish
Great Southern White
- Mustard family, Brassicaceae
- Nasturtium family, Tropaeolaceae
- Saltwort family, Bataceae
1. Batris maritima - Saltwort
2. Cakile lanceolata - Coastal Searocket
3. Cardamine pensylvanica - Pennsylvania Bittercress
4. Lepidium virginicum - Virginia Pepperweed
5. Tropaeolum majus - Nasturtium
Checkered White
- Mustard family, Brassicaceae
1. mostly Virginia Pepperweed
2. Capsella bursa-pastoris - Shepherd's Purse
GOSSAMERS (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvester)
Harvester
- In America, our only carnivorous butterfly.
They feed on woolly aphids of the genera schizoneura and pemphigus.
Great Purple Hairstreak
- Mistletoe family, Loranthaceae
1. Oak Mistletoe
King's Hairstreak
- Sweetleaf family, Symplocaceae
1. Symplocos tinctoria - Common Sweetleaf
Southern Striped Hairstreak
- Heath family, Ericaceae
- Rose family, Rosaceae
1. Vaccinium arboreum - Sparkleberry
2. Crataegus marshallii - Parsley Hawthorne
Henry's Elfin
- Holly family, Aquifoliaceae
- Pea family, Fabaceae
1. Ilex cassine - Dahoon Holly
2. Ilex opaca - American Holly
3. Cercis canadenis - Eastern Redbud - occassionaly
White-M Hairstreak
- Beech family, Fagaceae
1. Quercus geminata - Sand Live Oak
2. Quercus laurifolia - Laurel Live Oak
3. Quercus nigra - Water Oak
4. Quercus stellata - Post Oak
5. Quercus virginiana - Virginia Live Oak
Gray Hairstreak
- Mallow family, Malvaceae
- Pea family, Fabaceae
- Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae
- Aster family, Asteraceae
- Buckwheat family, Polygonaceae
- Buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae
- Soapberry family, Sapindaceae
1. Sida acuta - Common Fanpetals
2. Polygonella gracilis - Tall Jointweed
3. Chamaecrista fasciculata - Partridge Pea
4. Dalbergia ecastaphyllum - Coinvine
5. Desmodium incanum - Creeping Ticktrefoil
6. Desmodium paniculatum - Panicledleaf Ticktrefoil
7. Galactia regularis - Eastern Milkpea
8. Galactia volubilis - Downy Milkpea
9. Lupinus diffusus - Sky-Blue Lupine
10. Vigna luteola - Hairypod Cowpea
11. Phaseolus vulgaris - Garden Bean
12. Macroptilium lathyroides - Wild Bushbean
13. Froelichia floridana - Cottonweed - occassionaly
14. Palafoxia feayi - Feay's Palafox
15. Herissantia crispa - Bladder Mallow
16. Polygonum pensylvanicum - Pennsylvania Smartweed
17. Ceanothus americanus - New Jersey Tea
18. Cardiospermum corindum - Heartseed
Red-banded Hairstreak
- Bayberry family, Myricaceae
- Beech family, Fagaceae
- Cashew family, Anacardiaceae
1. Myrica cerifera - Southern Bayberry
2. Oaks
3. Schinus terebinthifolius - Brazilian Pepper
4. Mangifera indica - Mango
Eastern Pygmy Blue
- Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae
1. Sarcocornia perennis - Perennial Glasswort
2. Salicornia bigelovii - Annual Glasswort
Eastern Tailed-Blue
- Pea family, Fabaceae
1. Herbs in the Pea family and clover
Spring Azure
- Heath family, Ericaceae
- Buddleia family, Buddlejaceae
1. Oxydendrum arboreum - Sourwood
2. Dogwood
3. Buddleja davidii - Butterfly Bush
4. many other trees and shrubs
Little Metalmark
- Aster family, Asteraceae
1. Carphephorus odoratissimus - Vanillaleaf
2. Cirsium horridulum - Yellow Thistle
3. Mikania scandens - Climbing Hempvine
LONGWINGS
Gulf Fritillary & Variegated Fritillary
- Passionvine family, Passifloraceae
1. Passiflora incarnata - Maypop
2. Passiflora suberosa - Corky stemmed Passionvine
3. Passiflora lutea - Yellow Passionflower
4. Passiflora alto - 'Amethyst'/'Lavender Lady'/'Star of Mikan'
5. Passiflora caerulea - Blue Passionflower
6. Passiflora Sunburst Whorley
7. Passiflora allardii
8. Passiflora incense
9. Passiflora membranceae
10. Passiflora Platycodon
11. Passiflora morifolia
12. Passiflora edulis
BRUSH-FOOTS
(Admirals, Crescentspots, & Ladies)
Phaon Crescent
- Vervain family, Verbenaceae
- Acanthus family, Ancanthaceae
1. Phyla nodiflora - Turkey Tangle Fogfruit
2. Justicia ovata - Looseflower Waterwillow - occassionally
Pearl Crescent
- Aster family. Asteraceae
1. Symphyotrichum dumosum - Rice Button Aster
Question Mark
- Hackberry family, Celtidaceae
- Elm family, Ulmaceae
1. Celtis laevigata - Sugarberry Tree
2. Ulmus alata - Winged Elm
3. Ulmus americana - American Elm
Eastern Comma
- Elm family, Ulmaceae
- Nettle Family, Urticaceae
1. Ulmus spp.
2. Urtica spp. - Stinging Nettles
3. Laportea spp. - Nettles
Mourning Cloak
- Willow family, Salicaceae
- Elm family, Ulmus
1. Salix spp. - Willows
2. Ulmus spp. - Elms
American Lady
- Aster family, Asteraceae
1. Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium - Sweet Everlasting
2. Gamochaeta falcata - Narrowleaf Purple Everlasting
3. Gamochaeta pensylvanica - Pennsylvania Everlasting
4. Gamochatea purpurea - Spoonleaf Purple Everlasting
5. Pussytoes
6. Rabbit Tobacco
Painted Lady
- Aster family, Asteraceae
- Mallow family, Malvaceae
- Pea family, Fabaceae
1. Burdock
2. Cirsium horridulum - Yellow Thistle
3. Malva sylvestris - High mallow
4. Hollyhocks
5. Lupines
Red Admiral
- Nettle family, Urticaceae
1. Urtica dioica - Stinging Nettle
2. Urtica urens - Burning Nettle
3. Urtica chamaedryoides - Heartleaf Nettle
4. Boehmeria cylindrica - False Nettle
5. Parietaria floridana - Florida Pellitory
Common Buckeye
- Ancanthus family, Ancanthaceae
- Broomrape family, Orobanchaceae
- Plantain family, Plantaginaceae
- Vervain family, Verbenaceae
- Speedwell family, Veronicaceae
1. Dyschoriste spp. - Twinflower species Oblongleaf & Swamp
2. Agalinis fasciculata - Beach False Foxglove & other False Foxglove
3. Ruellia caroliniana - Wild petunia
4. Ruellia succulenta - Thickleaf Wild Petunia
5. Verbena hastata - Blue Vervain
6. Orthocarpus spp. - Owl's Clover
7. Plantagos - Virginia, English, & Common Plantain
8. Linarias - Canada & Apalachicola Toadflax
9. Occassionally Turkey Tangle Fogfruit
Red-spotted Purple
- Rose family, Rosaceae
- Willow family, Salicaceae
- Heath family, Ericaceae
1. Salix nigra - Black Willow
2. Salix caroliniana - Carolina Willow
3. Prunus serotina - Wild Black Cherry
4. Vaccinium stamineum - Deerberry
Viceroy
- Willow family, Salicaceae
1. Salix nigra - Black Willow
2. Salix caroliniana - Carolina Willow
3. Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow
Satyrs & Nymphs
Southern Pearly Eye
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Arundinaria gigantea - Switchcane
Gemmed Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Chasmanthium laxum - Slender Woodoats
Carolina Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Axonopus fissifolius - Common Carpetgrass
2. Oplismenus hirtellus - Woodsgrass
3. Stenotaphrum secundatum - St. Augustinegrass
4. Urochloa distachya - Tropical Signalgrass
Georgia Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
- Cyperaceae family, Sedges
1. Andropogon spp. - Bluestems most probably
2. Sedge
3. Bulrush
Little Wood Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Grasses
Common Wood Nymph
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Andropogon virginicus - Broomsedge Bluestem
2. other Grasses
MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES
Monarch
- Milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae
- Dogbane family, Apocynaceae
1. Asclepias currasavica - Tropical/Scarlet Bloodflower & Silky Gold Milkweed
2. Asclepias incarnata - Pink Swamp Milkweed
3. Cynanchum laeve - Honeyvine
4. Asclepias fascicularis - Narrow-leaf Milkweed
5. Asclepias speciosa - Showy Milkweed
6. Asclepias physocarpa - Balloon or Swan plant
7. Calotropis gigantea - Giant Milkweek or Crown Flower
8. Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly weed
9. Asclepias curtissii - Curtiss' Milkweed
10. Asclepias humistrata - Pinewoods Milkweed
11. Asclepias lanceolata - Fewflower Milkweed
12. Asclepias longifolia - Longleaf Milkweed
13. Asclepias perennis - White Swamp Milkweed
14. Asclepias tormentosa - Velvetleaf Milkweed
Queen
- Milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae
1. All of the above for Monarch except rarely A. tuberosa
2. Sarcostemma clausa - White Twinevine
3. Matelea floridana - Florida Milkvine
4. Morrenia odorata - Latex plant
SKIPPERS
Spread-winged Skippers
Silver-spotted Skipper
- Bean family, fabaceae
1. Amorpha fruticosa - jerk Indigo
2. Robinia pseudoacacia - Black Locust
3. Amphicarpaea bracteata - American Hogpeanut
4. Apios americana - Groundnut
5. Wisteria frutescens - American Wisteria
6. Wisteria sinensis - Chinese Wisteria
7. Pueraria montana - Kudzu
8. Desmodium tortuosum - Dixie Ticktrefoil
Long-tailed Skipper
- Bean family, fabaceae
1. Centrosema arenicola - Pineland Butterfly Pea vine
2. Centrosema virgianum - Spurred Butterfly Pea vine
3. Clitoria mariana - Atlantic Pigeonwings vine
4. Clitoria ternatea - Blue Butterfly Pea/Asian Pigeonwings vine
5. many species of the Ticktrefoil(Desmodium)
6. many species of the Milkpea (Galactia)
7. Vigna luteola - Hairypod Cowpea vine
8. Sesbania punicea- Scarlet Wisteria Tree/Rattlebox
9. Wisteria spp.
10. Rhynchosia minima - Least Snoutbean
11. Glycine max - Soybean
12. Wild Bushbean & Garden Bean
13. Pueraria montana - Kudzu
* will also lay on Aristolochia tormentosa, Garden Radish and Showy Rattlebox but the young cats will not survive
Juvenal's & Horace's Duskywing
- Beech family, Fagaceae
1. many types of Oaks
Common Checkered, White Checkered, & Tropical Checkered Skipper
- Mallow family, Malvaceae
1. Sida acuta - Common Fanpetals
2. Sida rhombifolia - Cuban Jute
3. others in the Mallow family
Folded-winged/Grass Skippers
Fiery & Whirlabout Skipper
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Cynodon dactylon - Bermudagrass
2. Stenotaphrum secundatum - St. Augustinegrass
3. Digitaria ciliaris - Southern Crabgrass
Butterflies most common to the South/ South East United States and their Host Plants
The exceptions are South Florida and South Texas which get Butterflies we only dream about and I only covered a few of the Skippers as there are far to many of them.
Note some plants listed are invasive and I do not recommend them being plant but are listed only because they came up in my research and you may come across caterpillars on them wild when you are out searching. Always research your plants and grow natives local to your area when at all possible
SWALLOWTAILS
Giant Swallowtail
- Citrus family, Rutaceae
1. Ptelea trifoliata - Common Hoptree, Wafer Ash
2. Zanthoxylum clava - Herculis - Hercules-club
3. Zanthoxylum fagara - Wild Lime
4. Zanthoxylum americanum - Prickly Ash
5. Citrus aurantifolia - Key Lime
6. Citrus limon - Lemon
7. Citrus reticulata - Tangerine
8. Citrus sinensis - Sweet Orange
9. Cirtrus x paradisi - Grapefruit
10. Citrus aurantium - Sour Orange
11. Ruta graveolens - Rue
Spicebush Swallowtail
- Laurel family, Lauraceae
1. Persea borbonia var. borbonia - Red Bay
2. Persea borbonia var. humilis - Silk Bay
3. Persea palustris - Swamp Bay
4. Sassafras albidum - Sassafras
5. Lindera benzoin - Spicebush
6. Cinnamomum camphora - Camphor tree
7. Litsea aestivalis - Pondspice
Pipevine Swallowtail
- Pipevine family, Aristolochiaceae
1. Aristolochia macrophylla - big leaf pipevine
2. Aristolochia tomentosa - Woolly pipevine
3. Aristolochia serpentaria - Virginia snakeroot
4. Aristolochia californica - California pipevine
5. Aristolochia fimbriata - white-veined Duchman's pipe
6. Aristolochia duror-
7. Aristolochia littoralis/elegans- Calico Flower
8. Aristolochia gigantea
9. Aristolochia trilobata
10. Aristolochia ringens
Eastern Black Swallowtail
- Rue family, Rutaceae
- Carrot family, Apiaceae
1. Ruta graveolens - Rue
2. Anethum graveolens - Dill
3. Foeniculum vulgare - Sweet Fennel, also Bronze Fennel
4. Petroselinum crispum - Parsley
5. Cicuta maculata - Spotted Water Hemlock - extremely poisonous if consumed
6. Oxypolis filiformis - Water Cowbane - extremely poisonous if consumed
7. Ptilimnium capillaceum - Mock Bishopweed
8. Spermolepis divaricata - Roughfruit Scaleseed
9. Eryngium cuneifolium - Wedgeleaf Eryngo
10. Daucus carota - Queen Anne's Lace
Palamedes Swallowtail
- Laurel family, Lauraceae
1. Persea borbonia var. borbonia - Red Bay
2. Persea borbonia var. humilis - Silk Bay
3. Persea palustris - Swamp Bay
4. Sassafras albidum - Sassafras
Zebra Swallowtail
- Custard-Apple family, Annonaceae
1. Asimina triloba - Common Pawpaw
2. Asimina pygmaea - Dwarf Pawpaw
3. Asimina angustifolia - Slim leaf Pawpaw
4. Asimina incana - Wooly Pawpaw
5. Asmina obovata - Bigflower Pawpaw
6. Asmina parviflora - Smallflower Pawpaw
7. Asmina pygmaea - Dwarf Pawpaw
8. Asmina reticulata - Netted Pawpaw
9. Asmina tetramera - Fourpetaled Pawpaw
10. Deeringothamnus pulchellus - Pretty False Pawpaw
11. Deeringothamnus rugelii - Rugel's False Pawpaw
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
- Rose family, Rosaceae
- Magnolia family, Magnoliaceae
- Olive family, Oleaceae
1. Prunus serotina - Wild Black Cherry
2. Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Poplar
3. Magnolia virginiana - Sweetbay
4. Fraxinus americana - White Ash
5. Fraxinus caroliniana - Carolina Ash
6. Fraxinus pennsyvanica - Green Ash
SULPHURS
- Bean family, Fabaceae
Cloudless Sulphur & Sleepy Orange
1. Cassia/Senna alata - Candlestick plant
2. Chamaecrista fasciculata - Partridge Pea
3. Chamaecrista nictitans - Sensative pea
4. Cassia obtusifolia - Sicklepod
5. Cassia bicapsularis - Christmas Senna
6. Cassia surattensis - Glaucous Cassia
7. Senna mexicana - Bahama Senna
8. Senna ligustrina - Privet Senna
9. Cassia javanica - Apple Blossom Cassia, Pink Cassia as well
as many others in the Senna/Cassia family
Southern Dogface
1. Plants of the Pea family
2. Amorpha fruticosa - jerk Indigobush
3. Dalea feayi - Feay's Prairie Clover
4. Dalea pinnata - Summer Farewell
Orange (Alfalfa) Sulphur
1. Plants of the Pea family
2. Melilotus albus - White Sweetclover
3. Trifolium repens - White Clover
4. Medicago lupulina - Black Medick
5. Medicago sativa - Alfalfa
Little Yellow
1. Plants in the Pea family
2. Mimosa strigillosa - Powderpuff
WHITES
Cabbage White
- Mustard family, Brassicaceae
1. Brassica oleracea - Garden Vegetable Cabbage
2. Brassica juncea - India Mustard
3. Brassica nigra - Abyssinian Mustard
4. Brassica rapa - Turnip
5. Raphanus raphanistrum - Wild Radish
6. Raphanus sativus - Garden Radish
Great Southern White
- Mustard family, Brassicaceae
- Nasturtium family, Tropaeolaceae
- Saltwort family, Bataceae
1. Batris maritima - Saltwort
2. Cakile lanceolata - Coastal Searocket
3. Cardamine pensylvanica - Pennsylvania Bittercress
4. Lepidium virginicum - Virginia Pepperweed
5. Tropaeolum majus - Nasturtium
Checkered White
- Mustard family, Brassicaceae
1. mostly Virginia Pepperweed
2. Capsella bursa-pastoris - Shepherd's Purse
GOSSAMERS (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvester)
Harvester
- In America, our only carnivorous butterfly.
They feed on woolly aphids of the genera schizoneura and pemphigus.
Great Purple Hairstreak
- Mistletoe family, Loranthaceae
1. Oak Mistletoe
King's Hairstreak
- Sweetleaf family, Symplocaceae
1. Symplocos tinctoria - Common Sweetleaf
Southern Striped Hairstreak
- Heath family, Ericaceae
- Rose family, Rosaceae
1. Vaccinium arboreum - Sparkleberry
2. Crataegus marshallii - Parsley Hawthorne
Henry's Elfin
- Holly family, Aquifoliaceae
- Pea family, Fabaceae
1. Ilex cassine - Dahoon Holly
2. Ilex opaca - American Holly
3. Cercis canadenis - Eastern Redbud - occassionaly
White-M Hairstreak
- Beech family, Fagaceae
1. Quercus geminata - Sand Live Oak
2. Quercus laurifolia - Laurel Live Oak
3. Quercus nigra - Water Oak
4. Quercus stellata - Post Oak
5. Quercus virginiana - Virginia Live Oak
Gray Hairstreak
- Mallow family, Malvaceae
- Pea family, Fabaceae
- Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae
- Aster family, Asteraceae
- Buckwheat family, Polygonaceae
- Buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae
- Soapberry family, Sapindaceae
1. Sida acuta - Common Fanpetals
2. Polygonella gracilis - Tall Jointweed
3. Chamaecrista fasciculata - Partridge Pea
4. Dalbergia ecastaphyllum - Coinvine
5. Desmodium incanum - Creeping Ticktrefoil
6. Desmodium paniculatum - Panicledleaf Ticktrefoil
7. Galactia regularis - Eastern Milkpea
8. Galactia volubilis - Downy Milkpea
9. Lupinus diffusus - Sky-Blue Lupine
10. Vigna luteola - Hairypod Cowpea
11. Phaseolus vulgaris - Garden Bean
12. Macroptilium lathyroides - Wild Bushbean
13. Froelichia floridana - Cottonweed - occassionaly
14. Palafoxia feayi - Feay's Palafox
15. Herissantia crispa - Bladder Mallow
16. Polygonum pensylvanicum - Pennsylvania Smartweed
17. Ceanothus americanus - New Jersey Tea
18. Cardiospermum corindum - Heartseed
Red-banded Hairstreak
- Bayberry family, Myricaceae
- Beech family, Fagaceae
- Cashew family, Anacardiaceae
1. Myrica cerifera - Southern Bayberry
2. Oaks
3. Schinus terebinthifolius - Brazilian Pepper
4. Mangifera indica - Mango
Eastern Pygmy Blue
- Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae
1. Sarcocornia perennis - Perennial Glasswort
2. Salicornia bigelovii - Annual Glasswort
Eastern Tailed-Blue
- Pea family, Fabaceae
1. Herbs in the Pea family and clover
Spring Azure
- Heath family, Ericaceae
- Buddleia family, Buddlejaceae
1. Oxydendrum arboreum - Sourwood
2. Dogwood
3. Buddleja davidii - Butterfly Bush
4. many other trees and shrubs
Little Metalmark
- Aster family, Asteraceae
1. Carphephorus odoratissimus - Vanillaleaf
2. Cirsium horridulum - Yellow Thistle
3. Mikania scandens - Climbing Hempvine
LONGWINGS
Gulf Fritillary & Variegated Fritillary
- Passionvine family, Passifloraceae
1. Passiflora incarnata - Maypop
2. Passiflora suberosa - Corky stemmed Passionvine
3. Passiflora lutea - Yellow Passionflower
4. Passiflora alto - 'Amethyst'/'Lavender Lady'/'Star of Mikan'
5. Passiflora caerulea - Blue Passionflower
6. Passiflora Sunburst Whorley
7. Passiflora allardii
8. Passiflora incense
9. Passiflora membranceae
10. Passiflora Platycodon
11. Passiflora morifolia
12. Passiflora edulis
BRUSH-FOOTS
(Admirals, Crescentspots, & Ladies)
Phaon Crescent
- Vervain family, Verbenaceae
- Acanthus family, Ancanthaceae
1. Phyla nodiflora - Turkey Tangle Fogfruit
2. Justicia ovata - Looseflower Waterwillow - occassionally
Pearl Crescent
- Aster family. Asteraceae
1. Symphyotrichum dumosum - Rice Button Aster
Question Mark
- Hackberry family, Celtidaceae
- Elm family, Ulmaceae
1. Celtis laevigata - Sugarberry Tree
2. Ulmus alata - Winged Elm
3. Ulmus americana - American Elm
Eastern Comma
- Elm family, Ulmaceae
- Nettle Family, Urticaceae
1. Ulmus spp.
2. Urtica spp. - Stinging Nettles
3. Laportea spp. - Nettles
Mourning Cloak
- Willow family, Salicaceae
- Elm family, Ulmus
1. Salix spp. - Willows
2. Ulmus spp. - Elms
American Lady
- Aster family, Asteraceae
1. Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium - Sweet Everlasting
2. Gamochaeta falcata - Narrowleaf Purple Everlasting
3. Gamochaeta pensylvanica - Pennsylvania Everlasting
4. Gamochatea purpurea - Spoonleaf Purple Everlasting
5. Pussytoes
6. Rabbit Tobacco
Painted Lady
- Aster family, Asteraceae
- Mallow family, Malvaceae
- Pea family, Fabaceae
1. Burdock
2. Cirsium horridulum - Yellow Thistle
3. Malva sylvestris - High mallow
4. Hollyhocks
5. Lupines
Red Admiral
- Nettle family, Urticaceae
1. Urtica dioica - Stinging Nettle
2. Urtica urens - Burning Nettle
3. Urtica chamaedryoides - Heartleaf Nettle
4. Boehmeria cylindrica - False Nettle
5. Parietaria floridana - Florida Pellitory
Common Buckeye
- Ancanthus family, Ancanthaceae
- Broomrape family, Orobanchaceae
- Plantain family, Plantaginaceae
- Vervain family, Verbenaceae
- Speedwell family, Veronicaceae
1. Dyschoriste spp. - Twinflower species Oblongleaf & Swamp
2. Agalinis fasciculata - Beach False Foxglove & other False Foxglove
3. Ruellia caroliniana - Wild petunia
4. Ruellia succulenta - Thickleaf Wild Petunia
5. Verbena hastata - Blue Vervain
6. Orthocarpus spp. - Owl's Clover
7. Plantagos - Virginia, English, & Common Plantain
8. Linarias - Canada & Apalachicola Toadflax
9. Occassionally Turkey Tangle Fogfruit
Red-spotted Purple
- Rose family, Rosaceae
- Willow family, Salicaceae
- Heath family, Ericaceae
1. Salix nigra - Black Willow
2. Salix caroliniana - Carolina Willow
3. Prunus serotina - Wild Black Cherry
4. Vaccinium stamineum - Deerberry
Viceroy
- Willow family, Salicaceae
1. Salix nigra - Black Willow
2. Salix caroliniana - Carolina Willow
3. Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow
Satyrs & Nymphs
Southern Pearly Eye
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Arundinaria gigantea - Switchcane
Gemmed Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Chasmanthium laxum - Slender Woodoats
Carolina Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Axonopus fissifolius - Common Carpetgrass
2. Oplismenus hirtellus - Woodsgrass
3. Stenotaphrum secundatum - St. Augustinegrass
4. Urochloa distachya - Tropical Signalgrass
Georgia Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
- Cyperaceae family, Sedges
1. Andropogon spp. - Bluestems most probably
2. Sedge
3. Bulrush
Little Wood Satyr
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Grasses
Common Wood Nymph
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Andropogon virginicus - Broomsedge Bluestem
2. other Grasses
MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES
Monarch
- Milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae
- Dogbane family, Apocynaceae
1. Asclepias currasavica - Tropical/Scarlet Bloodflower & Silky Gold Milkweed
2. Asclepias incarnata - Pink Swamp Milkweed
3. Cynanchum laeve - Honeyvine
4. Asclepias fascicularis - Narrow-leaf Milkweed
5. Asclepias speciosa - Showy Milkweed
6. Asclepias physocarpa - Balloon or Swan plant
7. Calotropis gigantea - Giant Milkweek or Crown Flower
8. Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly weed
9. Asclepias curtissii - Curtiss' Milkweed
10. Asclepias humistrata - Pinewoods Milkweed
11. Asclepias lanceolata - Fewflower Milkweed
12. Asclepias longifolia - Longleaf Milkweed
13. Asclepias perennis - White Swamp Milkweed
14. Asclepias tormentosa - Velvetleaf Milkweed
Queen
- Milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae
1. All of the above for Monarch except rarely A. tuberosa
2. Sarcostemma clausa - White Twinevine
3. Matelea floridana - Florida Milkvine
4. Morrenia odorata - Latex plant
SKIPPERS
Spread-winged Skippers
Silver-spotted Skipper
- Bean family, fabaceae
1. Amorpha fruticosa - jerk Indigo
2. Robinia pseudoacacia - Black Locust
3. Amphicarpaea bracteata - American Hogpeanut
4. Apios americana - Groundnut
5. Wisteria frutescens - American Wisteria
6. Wisteria sinensis - Chinese Wisteria
7. Pueraria montana - Kudzu
8. Desmodium tortuosum - Dixie Ticktrefoil
Long-tailed Skipper
- Bean family, fabaceae
1. Centrosema arenicola - Pineland Butterfly Pea vine
2. Centrosema virgianum - Spurred Butterfly Pea vine
3. Clitoria mariana - Atlantic Pigeonwings vine
4. Clitoria ternatea - Blue Butterfly Pea/Asian Pigeonwings vine
5. many species of the Ticktrefoil(Desmodium)
6. many species of the Milkpea (Galactia)
7. Vigna luteola - Hairypod Cowpea vine
8. Sesbania punicea- Scarlet Wisteria Tree/Rattlebox
9. Wisteria spp.
10. Rhynchosia minima - Least Snoutbean
11. Glycine max - Soybean
12. Wild Bushbean & Garden Bean
13. Pueraria montana - Kudzu
* will also lay on Aristolochia tormentosa, Garden Radish and Showy Rattlebox but the young cats will not survive
Juvenal's & Horace's Duskywing
- Beech family, Fagaceae
1. many types of Oaks
Common Checkered, White Checkered, & Tropical Checkered Skipper
- Mallow family, Malvaceae
1. Sida acuta - Common Fanpetals
2. Sida rhombifolia - Cuban Jute
3. others in the Mallow family
Folded-winged/Grass Skippers
Fiery & Whirlabout Skipper
- Grass family, Poaceae
1. Cynodon dactylon - Bermudagrass
2. Stenotaphrum secundatum - St. Augustinegrass
3. Digitaria ciliaris - Southern Crabgrass
