Butterflies and plants are inseparable. Some relationships are sweetly symbiotic while others are poisonously parasitic. Either way, butterflies depend on plants for every part of their metamorphosis from egg to adult. Plants provide a source of food for hungry caterpillars, nourishment for thirsty adults, and provide shelter at all life stages. Whatever the purpose, the variety of plants that butterflies utilize is as diverse as it is dazzling.
Some of the butterflies on this list may use plants other than those presented below, but these are plants they are using in the coastal region.
PARNASSIANS & SWALLOWTAILS
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Pipevine Swallowtail: Battus philenor
Host: Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria)
Zebra Swallowtail: Eurytides marcellus
Host: Paw Paw (Asimina angustifolia, A. incana, A. parviflora, A. pygmea)
Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes
Host: Wild Carrots (Apiaceae), Herbwilliam (Ptilimnium capillaceum)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail: Papilio glaucus
Host: Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), Wild Plum (Prunus angustifolia), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Spicebush Swallowtail: Papilio troilus
Host: Spicebush (Lindera melissifolia), Redbay (Persea borbonia, P. palustris), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Palamedes Swallowtail: Papilio palamedes
Host: Redbay (Persea borbonia, P. palustris)
Giant Swallowtail: Papilio cresphontes
Host: Hercule’s Club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), Common Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata), Citrus
WHITES & ORANGETIPS
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Falcate Orangetip: Anthocharis midea
Host: Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica)
Cabbage White: Pieris rapae
Host: Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica), Western Tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata), Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)
Checkered White: Pontia protodice
Host: Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica), Western Tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata), Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)
Great Southern White: Ascia monuste
Host: Saltwort (Salicornia bigelovii, S. virginica), Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula), Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)
Sulfurs and Yellows
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliandinae
Orange Sulphur: Colias eurytheme
Host: Vetches & Legumes (Fabaceae sp.)
Cloudless Sulphur: Phoebis sennae
Host: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, C. nictitans), Java-bean (Senna obtusifolia)
Barred Yellow: Eurema daira
Host: Vetches & Legumes (Fabaceae)
Little Yellow: Pyrisitia lisa
Host: Partridge Peas (Chamaecrista fasciculata, C. nictitans)
Sleepy Orange: Abaeis nicippe
Host: Cassias & Sennas, Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, C. nictitans), Java-bean (Senna obtusifolia)
Dainty Sulphur: Nathalis iole
Host: Asters (Asteraceae)
GOSSAMER-WING BUTTERFLIES
Family: Lycaenidae
Harvesters & Coppers
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Miletinae
Harvester: Feniseca tarquinius
Host: Aphids, Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata)
Hairstreaks
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Great Purple Hairstreak: Atlides halesus
Host: Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum)
Juniper Hairstreak: Callophrys gryneus
Host: Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Sweadner’s Juniper Hairstreak: Callophrys gryneus sweadneri
Host: Southern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)
Henry’s Elfin: Callophrys henrici
Host: Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Hollies (Ilex opaca, I. vomitoria), Blueberries (Vaccinium sp.)
Southern Hairstreak: Satyrium favonius
Host: Oaks (Quercus alba, Q. laurifolia, Q. virginiana)
Coral Hairstreak: Satyrium titus
Host: Plum (Prunus angustifolia), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Banded Hairstreak: Satyrium calanus
Host: Hickory (Carya sp.), Oaks (Quercus sp.)
King’s Hairstreak: Satyrium kingi
Host: Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria)
Striped Hairstreak: Satyrium liparops
Host: Hawthorne (Crataegus sp.), Plum (Prunus angustifolia), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Red-banded Hairstreak: Calycopis cecrops
Host: Detritus of Sumac (Rhus copallinum), Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Gray Hairstreak: Strymon melinus
Host: Vetches (Fabaceae), Mallows (Malvacea)
White M Hairstreak: Parrhasius m-album
Host: White Oaks (Quercus alba, Q. austrina, Q. virginiana), Basswood (Tilia americana)
Blues
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Cassius Blue: Leptotes cassius
Host: Rabbitbells (Crotalaria rotundifolia), Milkpeas (Galactia sp.), Littleleaf Sensitive brier (Mimosa microphylla), Sensitive Brier (Mimosa strigillosa)
Eastern Pygmy-Blue: Brephidium pseudofea
Host: Saltwort (Salicornia bigelovii, S. virginica)
Eastern Tailed-Blue: Cupido comyntas
Host: Vetches (Vicia sp.), Hairy Lepedeza (Lespedeza hirta)
Spring Azure: Celastrina ladon
Host: Dogwoods (Cornus asperifolia, C. florida)
Summer Azure: Celastrina neglecta
Host: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
American Holly Azure: Celastrina idella
Host: Hollies (Ilex glabra, I. opaca)
Ceraunus Blue: Hemiargus ceraunus
Host: Partridge Peas (Chamaecrista fasciculata, C. nictitans), Danglepod (Sesbania herbacea)
METALMARKS
Family: Riodinidae
Subfamily: Riodininae
Little Metalmark: Calephelis virginiensis
Host: Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum)
BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES
Family: Nymphalidae
Snouts
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Libytheinae
American Snout: Libytheana carinenta
Host: Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)
Milkweed Butterflies
Family:Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Danainae
Monarch: Danaus plexippus
Host: Milkweeds (Asclepias humistrata, A. tuberosa)
Queen: Danaus gilippus
Host: Gulf Coast Swallow-wort (Seutera angustifolia), Milkweeds (Asclepias lanceolata)
Fritillaries and Longwings
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Gulf Fritillary: Agraulis vanillae
Host: Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Zebra Heliconian: Heliconius charithonia
Host: Passionflowers (Passiflora lutea, P. incarnata)
Variegated Fritillary: Euptoieta claudia
Host: Passionflowers (Passiflora lutea, P. incarnata), Sea Purslane
(Sesuvium portulacastrum), Violets (Violaceae)
Admirals and Relatives
Family:Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Limenitidinae
Red-spotted Purple: Limenitis arthemis astyanax
Host: Cherries (Prunus serotina), Willows (Salix caroliniana, S. nigra)
Viceroy: Limenitis archippus
Host: Willows (Salix caroliniana, S. nigra)
Emperors
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Apaturinae
Hackberry Emperor: Astercampa celtis
Host: Sugarberry Tree (Celtis laevigata)
Tawny Emperor: Astercampa clyton
Host: Sugarberry Tree (Celtis laevigata)
True Brushfoots
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Phaon Crescent: Phyciodes phaon
Host: Frog fruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Pearl Crescent: Phyciodes tharos
Host: Asters (Asteraceae)
‘Seminole’ Texan Crescent: Anthanassa texana seminole
Host: Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis)
Common Buckeye: Junonia coenia
Host: Toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis), Verbenas (Verbenaceae sp.), Plantains (Plantanacea)
White Peacock: Anartia jatrophae
Host: Water-hyssop (Bacopa monnieri), Verbenas (Verbenaceae sp.)
Question Mark: Polygonia interrogationis
Host: Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) & False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)
Mourning Cloak: Nymphalis antiopa
Host: Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), Willows (Salix caroliniana, S. nigra)
Red Admiral: Vanessa atalanta
Host: False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)
Painted Lady: Vanessa cardui
Host: Goosefoots (Chenopodium sp.), Thistles (Cirsium horridulum, C. nuttallii), Mallows & Hibiscus (Malvacea sp.)
American Lady: Vanessa virginiensis
Host: Women’s Tobacco (Antennaria plantaginifolia), Narrowleaf Purple Everlasting (Gamochaeta falcata), Purple Everlasting (Gamochaeta purpurea)
SATYRS
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Southern Pearly Eye: Enodia portlandia
Host: Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta)
Creole Pearly Eye: Enodia creola
Host: Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta)
Gemmed Satyr: Cyllopsis gemma
Host: Purpletop (Tridens flavus) & Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Carolina Satyr: Hermeuptychia sosybius
Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Georgia Satyr: Neonympha areolata
Host: Sedges (Cyperaceae)
Little Wood Satyr: Megisto cymela
Host: Grasses (Poaceae)
Viola’s Wood Satyr: Megisto cymela viola
Host: Grasses (Poaceae)
Common Wood-Nymph: Cercyonis pegala
Host: Grasses (Poaceae)
SKIPPERS
Family: Hesperiidae
SPREAD-WING SKIPPERS
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Silver-spotted Skipper: Epargyreus clarus
Host: Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), False Indigo (Amphora sp.) & Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
Long-tailed Skipper: Urbanus proteus
Host: Legumes (Fabaceae sp.)
Dorantes Longtail: Urbanus dorantes
Host: Legumes (Fabaceae sp.)
Northern Cloudywing: Thorybes pylades
Host: Legumes (Fabaceae sp.), Lespedezas (Lespedeza hirta)
Southern Cloudywing: Thorybes bathyllus
Host: Legumes (Fabaceae sp.), Lespedezas (Lespedeza hirta)
Hayhurst’s Scallopwing: Staphylus hayhurstii
Host: Pitseed Goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri)
Confused Cloudywing: Thorybes confusis
Host: Legumes (Fabaceae sp.), Lespedezas (Lespedeza hirta)
Sleepy Duskywing: Erynnis brizo
Host: Scrub Oaks (Quercus sp.)
Juvenal’s Duskywing: Erynnis juvenalis
Host: White Oaks (Quercus alba, Q. austrina, Q. virginiana)
Horace’s Duskywing: Erynnis horatius
Host: Oaks (Quercus myrtifolia, Q. nigra, Q. virginiana)
Zarucco Duskywing: Erynnis zarucco
Host: Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Lespedezas (Lespedeza hirta)
Wild Indigo Duskywing: Erynnis baptisiae
Host: Rattleweed (Baptisia tinctoria), Lupine (Lupinus perennis, L. villosus) & Crown Vetches (Vicia acutifolia, V. caroliniana)
Common Checkered-Skipper: Pyrgus communis
Host: Mallows & Hibiscus (Malvaceae)
Tropical Checkered-Skipper: Pyrgus oileus
Host: Mallows & Hibiscus (Malvaceae)
Common Sootywing: Pholisora catullus
Host: Pitseed Goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri)
GRASS SKIPPERS
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperinae
Swarthy Skipper: Nastra lherminier
Host: Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Clouded Skipper: Lerema accius
Host: Coast Cockspur Grass (Echinochloa walteri), St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Least Skipper: Ancyloxypha numitor
Host: Southern Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)
Southern Skipperling: Copaeodes minima
Grasses (Poaceae)
Fiery Skipper: Hylephila phyleus
St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Meske’s Skipper: Hesperia meskei
Host: Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium), Arrowfeather Threeawn (Aristida purpurascens)
Sachem: Atalopedes campestris
Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Tawny-edged Skipper: Polites themistocles
Host: Panic Grass (Panicum sp.), Purpletop (Tridens flavus) & Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Crossline Skipper: Polites origenes
Host: Purpletop (Tridens flavus) & Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Whirlabout: Polites vibex
Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Southern Broken-Dash: Wallengrenia otho
Host: St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Northern Broken-Dash: Wallengrenia egeremet
Host: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Little Glassywing: Pompeius verna
Host: Purpletop Grass (Tridens flava)
Delaware Skipper: Anatrytone logan
Host: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Byssus Skipper: Problema byssus
Host: (Tripsacum dactyloides)
Rare Skipper: Problema bulenta
Host: Wildrice (Zizania aquatica), Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)
Hobomok Skipper: Poanes hobomok
Host: Grasses (Panicum sp.)
Zabulon Skipper: Poanes zabulon
Host: Lovegrass (Eragrostis sp.) & Purpletop Grass (Tridens flava)
Broad-winged Skipper: Poanes viator
Host: Wildrice (Zizania aquatica), Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)
Yehl Skipper: Poanes yehl
Host: Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta)
Aaron’s Skipper: Poanes aaroni
Host: Grasses (Distichlis spicata)
Palatka Skipper: Euphyes pilatka
Host: Sawgrass (Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense)
Berry’s Skipper: Euphyes berryi
Host: Sedges (Cyperaceae)
Dion Skipper: Euphyes dion
Host: Sedges & Rushes (Scirpus cyperinus)
Duke’s Skipper: Euphyes dukesi
Host: Sedges (Cyperaceae)
Two-spotted Skipper: Euphyes bimacula
Host: Sedges (Cyperaceae)
Dun Skipper: Euphyes vestris
Host: Sedges (Cyperaceae)
Pepper and Salt Skipper: Amblyscirtes hegon
Host: Woodoats (Chasmanthium laxum, C. sessiliflorum), Indian Grasses (Sorghastrum nutans, S. secundum)
Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper: Amblyscirtes aesculapius
Host: Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta)
Eufala Skipper: Lerodea eufala
Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Twin-spot Skipper: Oligoria maculata
Host: Grasses (Andropogon sp.)
Brazilian Skipper: Calpodes ethlius
Host: Canna (Canna flaccida)
Salt Marsh Skipper: Panoquina panoquin
Host: Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Ocola Skipper: Panoquina ocola
Host: Southern Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides)
GIANT SKIPPERS
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Megathyminae
Yucca Giant-Skipper: Megathymus yuccae
Host: Yuccas (Yucca aloifolia, Y. gloriosa, Y. filamentosa, Y. flaccida)