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Butterflies

Louisiana is home to over 150 species of butterflies, whose habitats range include swamplands, coastal prairies, and northern piney woods. There are about 17,500 species of butterflies in the world, and around 750 species in the United States.

Butterflys are pollinators and as such, play an important part in our ecosystem. Nectar-rich flowers attract passersby pollinators to stop and feed and host plants send an invitation to stay a while. Each species of butterfly has its own uniqe combination of host and nectar plants:

  • A nectar plant is a source of food for mature butterflies.

  • A host plant is a home for eggs and growing caterpillars.

Cloudless Sulphur on a Firebush near the Edith Garland Dupré Library 

 

Butterflies that have been spotted on campus:

  • Gulf Fritillary (Louisiana's State Butterfly)
  • Cloudless Sulphur
  • Black Swallowtail
  • Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Giant Swallowtail
  • Monarch Butterfly
  • Queen Butterfly
  • Viceroy Butterfly
  • Pipevine Swallowtail
  • Common Buckeye 

Image Source: Butterfly Identification

 

 

Butterfly Gardening in Louisiana

Pollinator nectar plants and larval host plants are the secret to successful butterfly gardening; they are plants required by a caterpillar for growth and development. Many butterflies, like Monarchs, have a single plant required as a food source for their larval form called a host plant and this is why the presence some host plants are vital to the survival of some species of butterflies. In the case of the Monarch, Milkweed is the host plant for the these butterflies. Without milkweed, the larva would not be able to develop into a butterfly. Monarchs use a variety of milkweeds but its always extra beneficial to plant Milkweed that is native to Louisiana in your gardens.

When creating a garden you can specifically design it to attract and host native butterflies!
In addition to planting nectar plants to attract butterflies, a butterfly garden should also have a variety of host plants to support various species.

View this guide to see what host plant is needed for each butterfly species:

 

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