Interesting Host Plant List

17 years ago

This is from the University of Texas Entomology Dept. It's very comprehensive IMHO, and is a list for butterflies in central Texas. Probably could extend that some into Oklahoma and southern Texas as well.

Another interesting thing is the number of species listed for the host plant - many of which I've never heard of....duh!

The second really interesting thing is that there are host plants listed for a lot of common butterflies to all of us, but ya never woulda thought they could be a host plant. For instance, Gaillardia pulchella is a listed host plant for the lacinia patch (similar to the Bordered and Crimson Patch). Never heard of the lacinia patch, but I wonder if it would work as a host plant for the Bordered Patch in Oklahoma - will have to see.

It also lists Yarrow as a host for the Painted Ladies. Anyone heard of that as a host? I haven't.

Also lists Cosmos as a host for the Dainty Sulphurs - had not heard that either.

Flame Acanthus is reflected as a host for teh Janais Patch - ever heard of that butterfly?

And......here's a good one - CATALPA as a host for the Tiger Swallowtail!!!!!! Never heard that.

Have you ever heard of a BLACK buckeye? Agalinus heterophylla is the host for it.

Spigelia for the tropic Queen????

Cotton for the Painted Lady?

Flax (linum) for the variegated frit?

Hawthorn (Crataegus) for the gray hairstreak, banded hairstreak, tiger swallowtail, viceroy, red spotted admiral?

Anything that is "news to you" on this list?

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Central Texas Butterfly Host Plant List

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Comments (5)

MissSherry
17 years ago
It sounds like the long list of host plants that Geyata Ajilvsgi uses in her book, Susan - she lives in Oklahoma? I think. Some of them are surprising indeed!
MissSherry
texaspuddyprint
17 years ago
The Janais Patch is the same as the Crimson Patch...I saw a cluster of cats on Flame Acanthus at a local butterfly park a couple of years ago.

Have heard Variegated Frits use Flax...but I've only seen them on Green Violet (hybanthus verticillatum).

Mexican Frits use Damiana (Hierba del venado) out here.

Not sure about Cotton for the Painted Lady...considering this area produces gobs of cotton...you'd then think we'd have gobs of PL around cotton fields. We don't...then again, they use pesticides :o(

I also have doubts about Texas Bluebonnet, Texas Mountain Laurle and Mesquite. This area is full of those and the butterflies that are supposed to use those are larval hosts are found in small numbers. Maybe they do use them...but I've never seen a caterpillar on them nor anything oviposting on them. Perhaps they get eaten by birds, bugs, spiders etc. Mountain Laurels often get attacked by webworms out here.

On another note...I recently read that Blue Curls (phacelia congesta) is a larval host for the Painted Lady. I noticed several patches of that in bloom at the ranch when I was there last weekend. I will have to check those plants for eggs/cats.

The Lower Rio Grande Valley has an extensive larval host list too. Considering we get about 300 butterfly species it comes in handy. I keep a reduced copy in my butterfly book and another in my car so I can refer to it when I'm out in the field.

Either way it's good to know those are larval hosts. Will keep those in mind whenever I come across them out in the field. Just never know what you'll find :o)

~ Cat

Here is a link that might be useful: South Texas NABA Caterpillar Food list
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Msrpaul
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I did hear of Catalpa ant the ETS, I looked it up because I saw one ovipositing on my tree.....other than that, you got me, by knowledge and geography...but 'tis good stuff.
ellen_s
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According to William Cullina's 'Native Trees, Shrubs & Vines", Hawthorne foliage is host to many butterfly caterpillars including Swallowtails, Hairstreaks, as well as Cecropia Moth and other moths. It also states that Catalpa hosts something called the Catalpa Sphinx Moth.

I am growing Yarrow and Cosmos this year, I'll keep a close eye on them to see what hatches on there.
susanlynne48
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes, we get a lot of questions about the catalpa sphinx, which can completely defoliate, altho not destroy, a tree. I think the caterpillars are used for fish bait in some places. I don't grow it because I didn't want to deal with the mess it causes, even tho I like sphinx moths. I would love to get a cecropia moth one day!

I have grow achillea (Yarrow) for years and never found anything on mine. But, that doesn't mean you won't in your region, Ellen. BTW, I LOVE MASSACHUSETTS! Live there for a couple of years back in the early 90s in a little town just west of Boston called North Grafton, close to Worcester. I visited lots and lots of historical sites. Fell in love with the Cape and the islands, as well as Vermont and New Hampshire. It is soooooo beautiful there in spring and summer, and winter, too. I remember crossing what I think was called the Kings Bridge?? Such a beautiful view from there. Fall is just outstanding there.

Susan

Interesting Host Plant List

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