Coastal Butterflies & Host Plants

Butterflies need native host plants to complete their life cycle. The larvae of many species can only survive on specific plants; think of monarchs and milkweeds, longwings and passionflowers. The host plants listed here are native to the coastal region of Georgia & South Carolina. They provide a critical link in butterfly survival. Protect native plants in your landscape and grow them in your gardens to support these important pollinators.

<< All album photos 29/41 photos
Gulf Coast Swallow wort host for Queen butterfly

SWALLOWTAILS & PARNASSIANS

Family: Papilionidae, Subfamily: Papilioninae

Zebra Swallowtail: Eurytides marcellus

Host: Paw Paw (Asimina angustifolia, A. incana,

A. parviflora)

Pipevine Swallowtail: Battus philenor *

Host: Pipevines (Aristolochia serpentaria, A. tomentosa)

Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes *

Host: 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)

WHITES

Family: Pieridae, Subfamily: Pierinae

Cabbage White: Pieris rapae

Host: Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica), Western Tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata)

Checkered White: Pontia protodice *

Host: Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula), W. Tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata), Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)

Great Southern White: Ascia monuste *

Host: Saltwort (Batis maritima), Sea Rocket (Cakile spp.), Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)

Sulfurs and Yellows

Family: Pieridae, Subfamily: Coliandinae

Orange Sulphur: Colias eurytheme *

Host: Fabaceae (Baptisia spp.) (Lupinus spp.) (Vicia spp.)

Cloudless Sulphur: Phoebis sennae *

Host: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, C. nictitans), Java-bean (Senna obtusifolia)

Barred Yellow: Eurema daira *

Host: Sticky Jointvetch (Aeschynomene viscidula) Sensitive-briar (Mimosa microphylla, M. strigillosa)

Little Yellow: Pyrisitia lisa *

Host: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, C. nictitans)

Sleepy Orange: Abaeis nicippe *

Host: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata,

C. nictitans), Java-bean (Senna obtusifolia)

Dainty Sulphur: Nathalis iole

Host: Beggarticks (Bidens spp.), Sneezeweed (Helenium spp.)

GOSSAMER-WING BUTTERFLIES

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: S. Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)

Henry’s Elfin: Callophrys henrici *

Host: Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Hollies (Ilex opaca, I. vomitoria), Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)

Eastern Pine Elfin: Callophys niphon

Host: Pines (Pinus palustris, P. taedo)

Southern Oak Hairstreak: Satyrium favonius *

Host: White Oaks (Quercus alba, Q. austrina, Q. virginiana)

Banded Hairstreak: Satyrium calanus *

Host: Hickory (Carya glabra, C. ovalis), Oaks (Quercus spp.)

King’s Hairstreak: Satyrium kingi

Host: Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria)

Striped Hairstreak: Satyrium liparops

Host: Hawthorne (Crataegus aestivalis, C. marshallii), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Red-banded Hairstreak: Calycopis cecrops *

Host: Detritus of Sumac (Rhus copallinum) & Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)

Gray Hairstreak: Strymon melinus *

Host: Legumes-Fabaceae, Mallows

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.)

Eastern Pygmy-Blue: Brephidium pseudofea *

Host: Glassworts (Salicornia bigelovii, S. virginica)

Eastern Tailed-Blue: Cupido comyntas

Host: Vetches (Vicia spp.), Hairy Lepedeza (Lespedeza hirta)

Spring Azure: Celastrina ladon

Host: Dogwoods (Cornus asperifolia, C. florida)

Summer Azure: Celastrina neglecta

Host: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

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: Vanillaleaf (Carphephorus odoratissimus), 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: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata, P. lutea)

Zebra Heliconian: Heliconius charithonia *

Host: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata, P. lutea)

Variegated Fritillary: Euptoieta claudia *

Host: Passionflower (Passiflora lutea, P. incarnata), Violets (Viola lanceolata, V. palmata)

Admirals and Relatives, Family:

Nymphalidae, Subfamily: Limenitidinae

Red-spotted Purple: Limenitis arthemis astyanax

Host: Prunus (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 (Symphyotrichum spp.)

‘Seminole’ Texan Crescent: Anthanassa texana seminole

Host: Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis)

Common Buckeye: Junonia coenia *

Host: Toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis), False Foxglove (Agalinis spp.)

White Peacock: Anartia jatrophae

Host: Water-hyssop (Bacopa monnieri), Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis)

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: Many Compositae, esp. Thistles (Cirsium horridulum, C. nuttallii)

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)

Appalachian Brown: Satyrodes appalachia

Host: Carex spp., Rhynchospora spp.

Gemmed Satyr: Cyllopsis gemma *

Host: Woodoats (Chasmanthium laxum, C. sessiliflorum)

Carolina Satyr: Hermeuptychia sosybius *

Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Georgia Satyr: Neonympha areolata

Host: Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), Sedges (Cyperaceae)

Little Wood Satyr: Megisto cymela *

Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Viola’s Wood-Satyr: Megisto viola *

Host: Longleaf Woodoats (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum), St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Common Wood-Nymph: Cercyonis pegala

Host: Bluestems (Andropogon spp.), Purpletop (Tridens flavus)

SKIPPERS: Family: Hesperiidae

SPREAD-WING SKIPPERS

Family: Hesperiidae, Subfamily: Pyrginae

Silver-spotted Skipper: Epargyreus clarus *

Host: Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Tall Indigo Bush (Amphora fruticosa), American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)

Long-tailed Skipper: Urbanus proteus *

Host: Spurred Buttery-pea (Centrosema virginianum), Atlantic Pigeonwings (Clitoria mariana), American Wisteria (Wisteria

 frutescens)

Dorantes Longtail: Urbanus dorantes *

Host: Spurred Buttery-pea (Centrosema virginianum), Atlantic Pigeonwings (Clitoria mariana)

Northern Cloudywing: Thorybes pylades

Host: Fabaceae, Lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta)

Southern Cloudywing: Thorybes bathyllus

Host: Fabaceae, Lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta)

Hayhurst’s Scallopwing: Staphylus hayhurstii

Host: Chenopodiaceae, Pitseed Goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri)

Confused Cloudywing: Thorybes confusis

Host: Fabaceae, Lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta)

Sleepy Duskywing: Erynnis brizo

Host: Scrub Oaks, Bluejack (Quercus incana), Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

Juvenal’s Duskywing: Erynnis juvenalis *

Host: White Oaks (Quercus alba, Q. austrina, Q. virginiana)

Horace’s Duskywing: Erynnis horatius *

Host: Red Oaks (Quercus falcata, Q. myrtifolia, Q. nigra, Q. pagoda)

Zarucco Duskywing: Erynnis zarucco *

Host: Fabaceae, Lespedezas (Lespedeza hirta), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Danglepod (Sesbania herbacea)

Wild Indigo Duskywing: Erynnis baptisiae

Host: Rattleweed (Baptisia tinctoria), Lupine (Lupinus perennis), Crown Vetches (Vicia acutifolia, V. caroliniana)

Common Checkered-Skipper: Pyrgus communis*

Host: Mallows & Hibiscus (Malvaceae spp.)

Tropical Checkered-Skipper: Pyrgus oileus *

Host: Mallows & Hibiscus (Malvaceae spp.)

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 *

Burmuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon)

Fiery Skipper: Hylephila phyleus *

St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Sachem: Atalopedes campestris *

Host: St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Tawny-edged Skipper: Polites themistocles

Host: Panic Grasses (Dichanthelium & Panicum spp.)

Crossline Skipper: Polites origenes

Host: Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium), Purpletop (Tridens flavus)

Whirlabout: Polites vibex *

Host: Burmudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), Thin Paspalum (Paspalum setaceum), 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: Eastern Gammagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides)

Rare Skipper: Problema bulenta

Host: Tall Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)

Hobomok Skipper: Poanes hobomok

Host: Grasses (Panicum spp.)

Zabulon Skipper: Poanes zabulon

Host: Lovegrass (Eragrostis spp.) & Purpletop Grass (Tridens flava)

Broad-winged Skipper: Poanes viator

Host: Tall Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)

Yehl Skipper: Poanes yehl

Host: Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta)

Aaron’s Skipper: Poanes aaroni

Host: Salt Grass (Distichlis spicata), Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)

Palatka Skipper: Euphyes pilatka

Host: Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense)

Berry’s Skipper: Euphyes berryi

Host: Sedges (Carex spp.)

Dion Skipper: Euphyes dion

Host: Sedges (Carex spp.), Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus)

Duke’s Skipper: Euphyes dukesi

Host: Sedges (Carex spp.)

Two-spotted Skipper: Euphyes bimacula

Host: Sedges (Carex spp.)

Dun Skipper: Euphyes vestris *

Host: Sedges (Cyperaceae spp.)

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 spp.)

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)


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