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Butterfly Garden

Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium

15 years ago

Good Morning;

I was discussing host plants with a friend and they mentioned they heard that Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yuccifolium, is a host for swallowtails. I have a tiny one so it is too soon to tell. It is in the carrot family, so I was wondering if it does work for Black Swallowtails. Anybody have any experience with this plant? Any info is much appreciated since they want to put this in their garden as a host plant.

Thanks,

Elisabeth

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Comments (4)

MissSherry
15 years ago
Elisabeth, it grows wild among the grasses, agalinis and other 'weeds' on the dry soil up by the main road. I've never found a black swallowtail cat or egg on it. I'm not saying they'll never use it - never say never - but it's certainly not a choice BST host plant.
Sherry
bananasinohio
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Miss Sherry!
That is very helpful. Too bad though. It is a really cool plant.
-Elisabeth
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lepalot
15 years ago
I don't know if it is used as a hostplant but it is a good nectar source, especially for Hairstreaks and other insects.
ladobe
15 years ago
Eryngium yuccifolium is listed as a known larval host plant for Papaipema eryngii (Noctuidae). This bug appears to have a very limited range with only a few isolated colonies in parts of KY, IL, AR and OK. Obviously another victim of habitat loss.

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?what to do with this little guy?

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