Lepidoptera (pronounced /ˌlɛpɪˈdɒptərə/) is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies (called lepidopterans). It is one of the most speciose orders in the class Insecta, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies and found virtually everywhere. Lepidoptera contains more than 180,000 species[1] in 128 families and 47 superfamilies. The name is derived from Ancient Greek λεπίδος (scale) and πτερόν (wing). Estimates of species suggest that the order may have more species and is among the four largest, successful orders, along with the Hymenoptera, Diptera, and the Coleoptera.[2]
Species of the order Lepidoptera are commonly characterized as being covered in scales, having two large compound eyes, and a elongated mouthpart called a proboscis. Almost all species have membranous wings, except for a few who have crossvein wings. The larvae are called caterpillars and are completely different in form, having a cylindrical body with a well developed head, mandible mouthparts, and from 0–11 (usually 8) legs.
The Lepidoptera have, over millions of years, evolved a wide range of wing patterns and coloration ranging from drab moths akin to the related order Trichoptera to the brightly colored and complex-patterned butterflies.[3] Accordingly, this is the most recognized and popular of insect orders with many people involved in the observing, study, collecting, rearing and commerce of these insects. A person who collects or studies this order is referred to as a lepidopterist. Many species of the order are of economic interest by virtue of the silk they produce, and serve an important natural role through pollination.
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Nectar Plants That Attracts Adult Butterflies
Annuals
Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum)
Cosmos (Cosmos Bipinnatus), ‘Sensation’
Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Marigold, French marigold (Tagetes patula)
Mexican sunlower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
Nicotiana, flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) - subshrub
Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
Scabiosa, pincushion flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea)
Statice (Limonium sinuatum)
Verbena (Verbena x hortensis, V. x hybrida)
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Perennials - Early Season
Allium (Allium spp.) - bulb
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) - biennial, perennial Perennials - Midseason
Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
Black-eyed Susan, gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia spp.) - biennial, perennial
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Catmint (Nepeta mussinii)
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Lavendar (Lavandula angustifolia)
Liatris, blazing-star, gay-feather (Liatris spp.)
Lily (spp.)
Mint (Mentha spp.)
Phlox (Phlox spp.)
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Red valerian (Centranthus ruber)
Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)
Veronica (Veronica spp.)
Yarrow (Achillea filipendulia)
Perennials - Late Season
Aster (Aster spp.)
Globe thistle (Echinops exaltatus)
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium spp.)
Obedient plant (Physotegia virginiana)
Sedum, (Sedum spectabile)
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Butterfly Larval Plants
Butterfly Larval Food
Black Swallowtail carrots, parsley, dill
Tiger Swallowtail wild cherry, birch, poplar, ash, apple trees, tulip tree
Monarch Butterfly milkweeds, butterfly weed
Great Spangled Fritillary violets
Buckeye snapdragon
Morning Cloak willows, elms
Viceroy pussy willow, plums, cherries
Red-Spotted Purple willows, poplars
Hackberry Butterfly hackberry
“To attract as many adults as possible, plant large groups of flowers. Include plants that bloom throughout the growing season so butterflies have a choice from spring to fall. Also masses of flowers tend to attract more visitors than small plantings.”
Adults visit many kinds of flowers, but some flowers seem to be “butterfly magnets.”
“In my yard, Butterfly bush, Purple coneflower, Joe-Pye weed, Black-eyed Susan, Lantana, Brazilian verbena, and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ are literally covered with butterflies on a sunny day,” said Grupp.
“For caterpillars--the larva stage, you will need to choose plants which attract the adult for egg laying. Adults are choosy and specific. Don’t forget, caterpillars will be chewing on foliage, so remember to plant enough for you and the caterpillars."
Here’s a list of common butterflies and their preferred host plants:
Butterfly Type ........Caterpillar Food / Host Plant
Alfalfa butterfly ......Alfalfa, clovers, deerweed
Anise Swallowtail.... Sweet Fennel, Lomatium, Citrus
Black swallowtail ......Dill, parsley, fennel, carrot
Buckeye.................... plantains, gerardias, toadflax, snapdragons, false loosestrifes
Cabbage White........... Many plants in mustard family, cabbage family
Checkered skipper.......Mallow, hollyhock
Checkered white....... Tumble mustard
Clouded sulfur.............Alfalfa, clover
Cloudless Sulfur........... Ornamental Cassia, Canary Bird Bush
Common hairstreak.......mallow family , hollyhock , rose and marsh mallows
Common Snout Butterfly ..Hackberry
Dogface Butterfly............lead plant, false indigo, prairie clover
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.... sycamore, willow
Edwards fritillary.............Nuttall's violet
Peris Brassicae ..................Broccoli, cabbage (mustard family)
Gorgone checkerspot ........Sunflowers
Hackberry butterfly ............Hackberry
Melissa blue .....................Wild licorice, alfalfa, etc.
Monarch .........................Milkweed
Mourning cloak ..........Willow, aspen, cottonwood, elm
Orange sulfur .......................Alfalfa, vetch, pea
Painted Lady .........................Thistle, hollyhock, sunflower
Pale Swallowtail.......... Redberry, California Coffeeberry, California Lilac, Holly-leafed Cherry
Question Mark.............. nettle, elm, hackberry, hops, false nettles
Red Admiral................... nettle false nettle, pellitory
Red-Spotted Purple........ Wild cherry, oak, poplar, hawthorn, willow
Silver-spotted skipper..........Wild licorice, locust, etc.
Spicebush Swallowtail ...........spice bush, sassafrass
Two-tailed swallowtail ..........Green ash, chokecherry
Variegated fritillary ............Various, including pansy
Viceroy Butterfly .............willow, poplar, apple
Weidemeyer's admiral...........Willow, aspen, cottonwood
Western tiger swallowtail........Willow, cottonwood, chokecherry
Wood nymph .......................Grasses
Zebra Swallowtail................ Pawpaw
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