Spring azures are reportedly very fond of laying their eggs on viburnums and dogwoods, and late instar baltimore caterpillars reportedly use them - Baltimores don't occur here, and I've never found a spring azure cat, so I can't vouch for it. There are MANY moths that will use viburnums - one of them is the rose hooktip. I found this one on a viburnum in my yard - The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and a variety of insects, especially brilliantly colored beetles - I've seen many brilliant green and blue beetles nectaring on mine. Here's a picture of a black female tiger swallowtail nectaring on a native V. dentatum - Sherry

Hi, I'm a noob when it comes to butterfly gardening. I really want to attract butterflies to our garden. I searched online on how to attract these insects and I found this blog post: http://finscar.blogspot.com/2011/06/invite-butterflies.html The post includes plants that a certain butterfly species feed on. I'm not sure about the post. I don't want to go buying plants that would turn out useless. Could anyone please verify if the plants mentioned would really attract butterflies? Thank you.

Well, I know one thing, and that is that they won't wash off or get eaten if you bring the eggs in to raise them... For nectar some good plants are Cosmos, Butterfly Weed, English Daisies, Heliopsis, etc. For host plants: Dill, Parsley, Fennel - Black Swallowtails Pansies, Violas, Violets -Variegated Fritillaries Milkweed - Queens, Monarchs Passion Flowers - Gulf fritillaries Nettle, False Nettle - Red Admirals Willows - Viceroys, Red Spotted Purples Legumes - Sulphurs Sorry if I'm getting "out of my authority" on some of these, since I've only successfully raised Black Swallowtails, Variegated Fritillaries, and Queens. -Jmcat

Hi! I love PA and its history. I lived out in the eastern part of the state for a while and the Harley Davidson plant is pretty cool...so are the little towns of Amish (as suggested above). If you're heading up to Erie (Presque Isle is GREAT!!!!) you could hit Oil City and check out the great old mansioins and museums. If you're heading north, check out the Allegheny Nat'l Park, too...there are tons of great places to stay for a night in a cabin on the lake. If you head south, you can always hit the city of Pittsburgh and take in the history there. The science center, station square, museums and strip district are always fun...even for those of us born and raised out here!!!!!!! You could always hit the PS grand canyon, too...heard it is beautiful! Hope you enjoy the trip and I can't wait to hear where you went!!! Take care and journey safe! ~k