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Butterfly weed General question about butterflies

8 years ago

hello! i have a beautiful butterfly weed that is attracting spangled fritillary butterflies. My question is will the butterflies lay eggs on this plant? If so, what time of year would that be, and are they large enough to see on the leaves? Any info would be welcome. I have many plants that attract butterflies but this is the only one that might be a host for larva!

Thanks

Featured Answer

Jacob Berg

8 years ago

Sorry no the Great spangled Fritillaries don't use Butterflyweed as a host plant. What they use is Violets or Panseys. The females hatch mate and then estavate until middle to late August. when they come out they start to lay eggs then. There are two butterflies that Use butterflyweed, Monarchs and a type of Blue.

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Comments (6)

kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I'm kind of a newbie, but found this list of host plants today as I was trying to ID a butterfly. Hope it helps you. http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterfly%20Gardening/Host%20Plants%20by%20Butterfly%20Species.htm
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The one you are talking about is Asclepias tuberosa. Tuberosa meaning it grows from a tuberous tap root, and doesn't need as much water after it is established. Are you growing it from seed or purchasing plants? If from seed, it needs cold stratification, so I would put the seeds in the fridge for a month or so, and then sow them in small pots. There are many varieties of what is commonly referred to as butterfly weed, or milkweed. Check out the FAQs here to see various types. It is best to try to grow those that are native to your area - Illinois. You can google "native milkweed Illinois" and this should give you info on milkweed that grows in your area. This is a host plant for the Monarch butterfly. They will only eat milkweed (the caterpillars). There are actually two varieties of A. tuberosa, and as you mention, one is better for clay soil. Prairie Moon nursery usually has both seeds and plants of the type that grows best in clay. Susan Here is a link that might be useful: Prairie Moon
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anita55
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you. I don't think I've seen a monarch in years. Maybe now!
Stephanie W
8 years ago
Another things about the frits is that their caterpillars will overwinter near the host plant if you have any violets, so take it easy on fall/spring clean-up--I'd probably not do anything near the violets. Caterpillars are usually in the early instar stage so very small. I wouldn't do any raking or blowing or cutting down in those areas. Same thing in the spring because they awaken when it's warmer and there's new leaves on the violets and tend to feed at night.

--Bernergrrl
anita55 thanked Stephanie W
anita55
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the good advice. I don't know where the violets are! But there must be some because all I'm seeing are these butterflies!
Stephanie W
8 years ago
Some violets might not look like the common violet we are familiar with, and some violets go dormant in the summer. Apparently, the female might lay eggs near the dormant plants, and the caterpillars hatch, eat their egg shells, and make the winter otherwise unfed, but I am not sure if that is exactly what happens with Great-spangleds. They are beautiful, and you're lucky to have them!
anita55 thanked Stephanie W

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