When Buddleia first leaves out for me every year, the leaves look deformed and crinkly for the first few weeks. It grows perfectly well with normal foliage after that.

laceyvail - 'He knew I had just cleared a place for them, but he was trimming a part of the garden that is being re-landscaped as I find the time' As I mentioned they were planted in the garden bed 20'w x 30'l , not in the middle of the lawn. Until I get to it, the area I am replanting gets weeds which neither of us like so he keeps it very short. We were going to cultivate it, but they were calling for rain, which we are really getting over the last few days, and it would have made a muddy mess for the dog to run through. The butterfly bushes are going to be treated as a group planting in an open area. They will be that area's focal point hopefully. My butterfly bushes never reach more than 8', if that. I keep them trimmed to allow for more blooms (on side shoots). Has anyone else ever kept them trimmed to allow for side shoots? Thank you. Jane

Four lined bug is probably the culprit. Here is a link that might be useful: Fixes for buddleia leaf spots

Anything that would stop, "bugs" eating your shrub would be detrimental to the butterfly larva. Are you sure it's not butterfly caterpillers. A search in the evening with a flashlight might turn up slugs or snails, (hand picking is involved) Enjoy Rai