What host plants have you seen the: Common Buckeye use?

16 years ago

THIS thread is ONLY for the host plants of

the: COMMON BUCKEYE (Junonia coenia).

1. It would be interesting to know what species of butterfly HOST PLANTS different gardners have observed certain butterflies using in their respective regions, first-hand.

*Example: Some sites indicate Red Mulberry as a host for the Mourning Cloak Butterfly. It would be interesting to know if anyone can confirm this through personal experience in observation; likewise, it would be interesting if anyone has seen Mourning Cloaks use Morus alba, etc.

*Another example: Some sites claim that the Eastern Tiger Swallow Tail Butterfly uses Lindera benzoin - a known host of the Spicebush Swallowtail; and the other way around: Some sites claim that Swampbay Magnolia is the host of the Spicebush Swallowtail, although it is primarily described as the host of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (in the south?). This may be a re-circulated error(?)

2. If you have two or more host plants commonly known to be a host plant of a certain butterfly, it would be interesting to know which is MORE attractive then the other(s).

*Example: Common hosts of the Red-Admiral Butterfly include: Tall Stinging Nettle; Stinging Nettle L.; Wood Nettle; False Nettle; & Canadian Clear-Weed Nettle. I intend to grow all of these. I would be able to eventually report which patch (each being 5' x 5') of Nettle spp. attracted the most Red-Admirals or associated brushfoots.

_________________________________________________________

Note: There are websites that re-circulate misinformation and dubious information, so in this discussion thread, please exclusively present only your own personal observations. This should, hopefully, provide practical information when regionally applied in making decisions in host plant selection where space is limited, etc.

-Steve

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

butterflymomok
16 years ago
Steve,

The only time I have raised Buckeyes is on Butter and Eggs, which is in the Snapdragon family. One year I had lots and lots of cats all over the plants. B&E is a very invasive plant which needs lots of space. I got it from Clear Creek Farms here in OK. They don't have a website, but if you are interested, I can give you a number where they can be reached.

OKSandy
njbiology
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks!

I've read that they will use Mimulus (Monkeyflower spp.); this would be good because I have a lot around my pond. I wonder if they will use those common plaintains (specie?) that are common in northeastern lawns.
Related Discussions
What host plants have you seen: Eastern Tiger Swallowtails use?
Q
Comments (13)
I have enjoyed reading all the posts on host plants. It has given me info for my garden. However, I have been wondering what you are going to do with all this information. It sounds like you are going to use it personally to create a BF habitat in your yard. On keeping trees small for BFs, I like to think of it as BF Bonsai. I love the look of the Tulip Poplar tree. It's a very nice large tree, so I wouldn't mind having one in my yard, which is close to an acre. If Hubby would agree, our yard would border on being wooded! But, he likes everything spaced out. Currently my tulip trees are in pots on the patio, as they are still very small. Amazingly, though, I had small cats on the first tree within weeks after I got it. If you are looking for a small tree to attract a great number of BFs, the wafer ash fits the bill. I don't know if it is hardy in your area, but it's definitely one I'm adding to my backyard. As for Wild Black Cherry, there is one behind me that is an absolutely ugly tree. WBC is definitely one of those trees that would need to be kept pruned and not allowed to go wild. Having said all that, I'd be very sad to see the tree cut down, as it attracts all sorts of BFs and birds. Looks aren't everything! I think most of us on the forum have learned what works by trial and error. I know I have. I've been BF gardening for at least 12 years, and have given up on lots of plants, and am still acquiring other plants. Each season, I add new BFs to my raised category. My Xerces Society Butterfly Gardening Book has been a constant source for plants for BFs. Before I had this forum or used the internet, I relied on that book to build my garden. According to XSBFG, tulip poplar, sweet-bay, wild black cherry, chokecherry, ashes, hop tree (wafer ash), American hornbeam, spicebush, lilac, birches and aspens are hosts. The last two are listed for the Papilio canadensis. One thing I enjoyed about reading the XSBFG book is the accounts of the gardeners and their experiences. The notion that one plant works in all situations is quickly dispelled in this book. The best way to find out the best host in your area is to start planting. Start with the one you really want and if it doesn't work, try another. OKSandy
...See More
What host plants have you seen the: Painted Lady use?
Q
Comments (5)
Well now, the Painted Ladies my daughter ordered fed on the green goop in the bottom of their larva cup. :) They did well on it, too -- we were 5 for 5 at release. You probably can't plant green goop, though.
...See More
What host plants have you seen the: Pearl Crescent use?
Q
Comments (3)
I ordered and planted some aster carolinias, hoping I'd get eggs/cats, but so far no takers. David Wagner, Mr. Caterpillar himself, says in his book that he's never seen a PC cat, even though PC adults are quite common where he is! If you think I post a lot of pictures now, wait until you see how many I post if I ever get PC cats! MissSherry
...See More
What host plants have you seen: Hairstreaks & Blues, spp. use?
Q
Comments (9)
The only one they've used in my yard (I'm south and west of Sandy in Oklahoma) is hibiscus coccineus (swamp hibiscus or Texas Star). The gray hairstreak uses it as a host plant, which is the only hairstreak I've seen in caterpillar form. I have other H. moscheutos cultivars, but have yet to find any on them. Also said to use Rose of Sharon, but have not "found" any on them. The host plant depends upon the hairstreak species. Susan
...See More
butterflymomok
16 years ago
Lots of people in OK grow the Plantago Lanceolata, Narrow Leafed Plantain, for Buckeyes and seem to find cats on it. I have planted some of the PL to see if I can get cats, as I have Buckeyes around here. I am sure that they are laying their eggs on something that is growing wild nearby.

Whatever you grow, you want to make sure it can sustain your cats through to adulthood. I raised a rather large brood of Buckeyes on the B&E.

I tried to look up the plant in one of my books to find the botanical name, but didn't have any luck.

OKSandy
MissSherry
16 years ago
I've planted several different members of the snapdragon family for them, but they continue to only use agalinis or gerardia (which is it?) fasciculata. I've seen them laying eggs on it and raised quite a few cats on it over the years.
MissSherry
susanlynne48
16 years ago
They use plantain (plantago lanceolata or ribgrass) in my yard. I also have tried to lure them with Mimulus ringens, common snapdragons, and dischoriste (twinflower), but they have only used the plantain this year.

Susan
linda_centralokzn6
16 years ago
Here, they use Blue toadflax (linaria canadensis), and paintbrush until it gets hot. Then they will use plantago lanceolata until frost.
njbiology
Original Author
16 years ago
This was interesting.

So, those looking to provide Buckeyes with attractive host plants should plant: Butter-and-Eggs, Wild Foxglove, Plantago lanceolata, Canada [Blue] Toadflax, Snap Draggon spp., Plantain spp.,

[I find Ruellia nudiflora & Monkeyflower, spp. mentioned as a sure host, from what I've read...]
webkat5
16 years ago
Mine are still using Linaria purpurea...have been for quite some time...
jmcat
16 years ago
I haven't ever raised Buckeyes, but I have seen a female lay an egg on regular snapdragons. After I saw that, I (of course) brought in the egg on a sprig of snapdragon. However, the egg was gone the next morning. :( I recall seeing some small bugs on the sprig of snapdragon, so I'm guessing that the egg was eaten.
-Jmcat
Jillberto
16 years ago
I have found them munching away on Galvezia speciosaÂIsland Bush Snapdragon, a great Calif. native. This plant is also great for hummingbirds. After established takes no irrigation and no summer water.

I did not take them off the plant to raise them. At the time my plant was too small to be able to keep cutting off sprigs from.

What host plants have you seen the: Common Buckeye use?

Comments (10)

butterflymomok

njbiology
Original Author

Related Discussions

butterflymomok

MissSherry

susanlynne48

linda_centralokzn6

njbiology
Original Author

webkat5

jmcat

Jillberto

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What host plants have you seen the: Common Buckeye use?

Comments (10)

njbiologyOriginal Author

Related Discussions

njbiologyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

njbiology
Original Author

njbiology
Original Author