Butterfly Host Plant List
South East Florida

BUTTERFLY
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
 
Host Plant
Host Plant

SWALLOWTAILS

    
PAPILIONIDAE    
     
Polydamas Swallowtail
Aristolochia elegans

Pelican Pipevine

Battus polydamas

Aristolochia fimbriata Pipevine
  Aristolochia gigantia Giant Pipevine
  Aristolochia grandiflora Dutchman's Pipe
  Aristolochia littoralis Calico Flower
  Aristolochia maxima Pipevine
  Aristolochia passifloraefolia Pipevine
  Aristolochia pentandra Marsh's Dutchman's Pipe
  Aristolochia pilosa Pipevine
  Aristolochia ringens Gaping Dutchman's Pipe
  Aristolochia serpentaria Virginia Dutchman's Pipe
  Aristolochia tomentosa Woolly Dutchman's Pipe
  Aristolochia trilobata None
     
Black Swallowtail
Anethum graveolens Dill

Papilio polyxenes

Cicuta maculata Spotted Water Hemlock
  Daucus carota Queen Ann's Lace
  Foeniculum vulgare Fennel
  Oxypolis filiformis Water Cowbane
  Petroselinum crispum Parsley
  Ptilimnium capillaceum Mock Bishopsweed
  Ruta graveolens Rue
     
Giant Swallowtail
Amyris elemifera Torchwood

Papilio cresphontes

Citrus aurantifolia Key Lime
  Citrus reticulata Tangerine
  Citrus sp. Citrus
  Ruta graveolens Rue
  Zanthoxylum clava-herculis Hercules-club
  Zanthoxylum coriaceum Biscayne Prickly-Ash
  Zanthoxylum fagara Wild Lime
  Zanthoxylum flavum Yellowwood
     

Schaus' Swallowtail

Amyris elemifera

Torchwood

Papilio aristodemus

Zanthoxylum fagara Wild Lime
     
Palamedes Swallowtail
Magnolia virginiana Sweet Bay
Papilio palamedes
Persea borbonia var borbonia Red Bay

Persea borbonia var. humilis Silk Bay
  Persea palustris Swamp Bay
     
WHITES AND YELLOWS
   

PIERIDS

    
     
Florida White
Capparis flexuosa Bayleaf Caper Tree

Appias drusilla

Drypetes diversifolia Milkbark
Drypetes lateriflora Guiana Plum
     
Checkered White
Capsella bursa-pastoris Sheperd's Purse

Pontia protodice

Lepidium virginicum Peppergrass
     
Great Southern White
Batis maritima Saltwort

Ascia monuste

Cakile lanceolata Coastal Searocket
Capparis flexuosa Bayleaf Caper Tree
Eruca sativa Arugula
Eruca vesicaria Arugula
Lepidium virginicum Peppergrass
  Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium
     
Orange Sulphur
Alfalfa

Colias eurytheme

White Sweet Clover
White Clover
     
Cloudless Sulphur
Wild Senna

Phoebis sennae

Cassia javanica
Apple-blossom Cassia
  Chamaecrista deeringiana Deering's Partrige Pea
Partridge Pea
  Chamaecrista nictitans Sensitive Pea
  Senna alata Candlestick Plant
  Senna ligustrina Wild Privit Senna
  Senna mexicana var. chapmanii Chapman's Wild Sensitive Plant
  Senna obtusifolia Sicklepod
  Senna occidentalis Septicweed
  Senna polyphylla Desert Cassia
  Senna surattensis Glossy Shower Tree
     
Orange-barred Sulphur
Cassia javanica
Apple-blossom Cassia
Phoebis philea Chamaecrista deeringiana Deering's Partridge Pea
  Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge Pea

 
Candlestick Plant
Wild Privet Cassia
  Senna mexicana var. chapmanii Chapman's Wild Sensitive
  Senna polyphylla Desert Cassia
  Senna surattensis Glossy Shower Tree
     
Large Orange Sulphur
False Tamarind

Phoebis agarithe

Blackbead
Cat's Claw
     
Statira Sulphur
Black Mangrove

Phoebis statira

Powderpuff Tree
Calliandra suranamensis
None
Coinvine
     
Lyside Sulphur
Lignumvitae

Kricogonia lyside

     
Barred Yellow
Shyleaf
Eurema daira
 Aeschynomene viscidula Sticky joint-vetch

Meadow Joint Vetch
  Indigofera hirsuta Hairy Indigo

Pencilflower
  Stylosanthes calcicola Everglades Key Pencilflower
Cheesytoes
  Vicia acutifolia Sand Vetch
     
Little Yellow
Deering's Partridge Pea

Eurema lisa

Partridge Pea
Big Pine Partridge Pea
Sensitive Pea
  Mimosa strigillosa Powderpuff
     
Mimosa Yellow
Sensitive Pea

Eurema nise

False Tamarind
Sensitive Plant
     
Dina Yellow
Mexican Alvaradoa

Eurema dina
Florida Bitterbush
     
Sleepy Orange
Deering's Partridge Pea
Eurema nicippe
Partridge Pea

 
Wild Sensitive Plant
  Senna bicapsularis Christmas Senna
Senna hebecarpa
Wild Senna
Wild Senna
Chapman's Wild Sensitive
Sicklepod
Septicweed
Desert Cassia
     
Dainty Sulphur
Aster spp.
Aster

Nathalis iole

Spanish Needles
Shepherd's Needle
 
Carpetweed
  Tagetes sp. Marigold
   
HAIRSTREAKS
    
THECLINAE    
   
Atala
 Zamia integrifolia Coontie
Eumaeus atala
   
     
Amethyst Hairstreak
Cardiospermum corindum Balloon Vine
Chlorostrymon maesites
Albizia lebbeck Woman's Tongue
     
Silver-banded Hairstreak
Cardiospermum corindum Balloon Vine
Chlorostrymon simaethis
   
     
SATYRIUM HAIRSTREAK
   
     
White M Hairstreak
Quercus chapmanii Chapman's Oak
Parrhasius m-album
Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak
  Quercus myrtifolia Myrtle Oak
Quercus virginiana Virginia Live Oak
     
SCRUB-HAIRSTREAKS
    
STRYMON    
     
Gray Hairstreak
Cardiospermum corindum Balloon Vine
Strymon melinus
Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge Pea
Chamaecrista nictitans Sensitive Pea
  Dalbergia ecastaphyllum Coinvine
  Desmodium incanum Creeping Ticktrefoil
  Desmodium lineatum Sand Ticktrefoil
  Galactia regularis Eastern Milkpea
  Galactia volubilis Downy Milkpea
  Gossypium hirsutum Wild Cotton
  Herissantia crispa Bladder Mallow
  Indigofera spicata Trailing Indigo
  Malva moschata Musk Mallow
  Phyla nodiflora Frogfruit
  Sida acuta Fanpetals
  Sida ciliaris Fringed Fanpetals
  Sida elliottii Elliott's Fanpetals
  Sida rhombifolia Indian Hemp
  Vigna luteola Hairy Cowpea
     
Martial Scrub-Hairstreak
Caesalpinia bonduc Gray Nickerbean
Strymon martialis
Suriana maritima Bay Cedar
  Trema micranthum Nettletree
  Waltheria indica Sleepy Morning
   
Bartram's Scrub Hairstreak
Croton linearis Pineland Croton
Strymon acis
Croton lobatus* Lobed Croton
     
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Abutilon permolle Indian Mallow
Strymon columella Chamaecrista deeringiana Deering's Partridge Pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge Pea
Herissantia crispa Bladder Mallow
  Sida acuta Fanpetals
  Sida elliottii Elliott's Fanpetals
  Sida rhombifolia Fringed Fanpetals
  Suriana maritima Bay Cedar
  Waltheria indica Sleepy Morning
     
Fulvous Hairstreak
Piscidia piscipula Florida Fishpoison Tree
Electrostrymon angelia
Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian Pepper
     
Red-banded Hairstreak
Galactia regularis Eastern Milkpea
Calycopis cecrops
Mangifera indica Mango
Myrica cerifera Wax Myrtle
  Quercus virginiana Virginia Live Oak
  Rhus copallinum Winged Sumac
  Rhus typhina Staghorn Sumac
  Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian Pepper
     
Gray Ministreak
Leucaena leucocephala White Leadtree
Ministrymon azia
   
     
BLUES
    
POLYOMMATHINAE    
     
Eastern Pygmy-Blue
Batis maritima Saltwort
Brephidium isophthalma
Salicornia perennis Perennial Glasswort
     
Cassius Blue
Abrus precatorius Crab's Eye
Leptotes cassius Alvaradoa amorphoides Mexican Alvaradoa
  Amorpha herbacea v. crenulata Crenulate Lead Plant
Bauhinia divaricata NONE
  Crotalaria incana Rattlebox
  Crotalaria pumila Low Rattlebox
  Galactia regularis Eastern Milkpea
  Galactia striata Florida Hammock Milkpea
  Galactia volubilis Downy milkpea
  Lysiloma latisiliquum False Tamarind
  Pithecellobium keyense Blackbead
  Pithecellobium unguis-cati Cat's Claw; Catclaw blackbead
  Plumbago auriculata Cape Leadwort
  Plumbago scandens Doctorbush
  Sophora tomentosa Necklace Pod
  Vigna luteola Hairy Cowpea
     
Miami Blue
Caesalpinia bonduc Gray Nickerbean
Hemiargus thomasi
 Cardiospermum corindum Balloon Vine
  Pithecellobium keyense Blackbead
     
Nickerbean Blue
Acacia farnesiana Sweet Acacia
Hemiargus ammon
Acacia pinetorum Pineland Acacia
  Caesalpinia bonduc Gray Nickerbean
     
Ceraunus Blue
Abrus precatorius Crab's Eye
Hemiargus ceraunus
Caesalpinia bonduc Gray Nickerbean
  Chamaecrista deeringiana Deering's Partridge Pea
  Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge Pea
  Chamaecrista nictitans Sensitive Pea
  Galactia regularis Downy Milkpea
  Galactia volubilis Downy Milkpea
  Indigofera caroliniana Indigo
  Indigofera mucronata Florida Keys Indigo
  Indigofera spicata Trailing Indigo
  Neptunia pubescens Tropical-puff
  Sesbania herbacea Sesban; Danglepod
  Vigna luteola Hairy Cowpea
     
METALMARKS
    
RIODINIDAE    
     
Little Metalmark
Carphephorus odoratissimus Vanillaleaf
Calephelis virginiensis
Cirsium horridulum Yellow Thistle; Purple Thistle
  Mikania scandens Hempvine
     
BRUSHFOOTS
    
NYMPHALIDAE    
     
Gulf Fritillary
Passiflora biflora Twin-flower Passionflower
Agraulis vanillae Passiflora cupraea Copper Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata Purple Passionflower
Passiflora lutea Yellow Passionflower
  Passiflora multiflora Keys Passionflower
  Passiflora pallens Pineland Passionflower
  Passiflora sexflora Goat's foot Passionflower
  Passiflora suberosa Corkystem Passionflower
  Piriqueta cistoides Pitted Stripeseed
     
Julia
 Passiflora biflora Twin-flower Passionflower
Dryas julia Passiflora cupraea Copper Passionflower
  Passiflora incarnata Purple Passionflower
Passiflora lutea Yellow Passionflower
Passiflora multiflora Keys Passionflower
  Passiflora pallens Pineland Passionflower
  Passiflora sexflora Goat's foot Passionflower
  Passiflora suberosa Corkystem Passionflower
     
Zebra
Passiflora biflora Twin-flower Passionflower
Heliconius charitonius Passiflora cupraea Copper Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata Purple Passionflower
  Passiflora lutea Yellow Passionflower
  Passiflora multiflora Keys Passionflower
  Passiflora pallens Pineland Passionflower
  Passiflora sexflora Goat's foot Passionflower
  Passiflora suberosa Corkystem Passionflower
     
Variegated Fritillary
Linum floridanum Florida Yellow Flax
Euptoieta claudia Menispermum canadense Moonseed
Passiflora incarnata Purple Passionflower
  Passiflora multiflora Keys Passionflower
  Passiflora suberosa Corkystem Passionflower
  Podophyllum peltata May-apple
  Sedum sp. Stonecrop
  Viola sp. Violets
     
Cuban Crescent
Blechum pyramidatum Green Shrimp Plant
Phyciodes frisia
Dicliptera sexangularis Sixangle Foldwing
     
Phaon Crescent
Phyla lanceolata Lance-leaved Fogfruit
Phyciodes phaon
Phyla nodiflora Frogfruit
     
Pearl Crescent
Aster adnatus Clasping Aster
Phyciodes tharos Aster bracei Brace's Aster
  Aster dumosus Rice Button Aster
Aster lanceolatum Panicled Aster
  Aster lateriflorus Calico Aster
  Aster pilosus Heath Aster
     
ANGLEWINGS
    
POLYGONIA    
     
Red Admiral
Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle
Vanessa atalanta
Laportea canadensis Wood Nettle
  Parietaria floridana Florida Pellitory
  Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle
     
Common Buckeye
Agalinis fasciculata Beach False Foxglove
Junonia coenia
Agalinis maritima Saltmarsh False Foxglove
  Buchnera americana American Blueheart
  Dyschoriste angusta Rockland Twinflower
  Dyschoriste oblongifolia Swamp Twinflower
  Linaria canadensis Toadflax
  Phyla nodiflora Fogfruit
  Phyla stoechadifolia Southern Fogfruit
  Plantago major Common Plantain
  Ruellia caroliniensis Carolina Wild Petunia
  Ruellia succulenta Wild Petunia
  Verbenaceae Vervain
     
Mangrove Buckeye
Avicennia germinans Black Mangrove
Junonia evarete
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Blue Porterweed
     
Tropical Buckeye
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Blue Porterweed
Junonia genoveva
Stachytarpheta urticifolia Nettleleaf Vervain
     
White Peacock
Bacopa caroliniana Lemon Bacopa
Anartia jatrophae
Bacopa monnieri Water Hyssop
  Blechum pyramidatum Green Shrimp Plant
  Phyla nodiflora Frogfruit
  Phyla stoechadifolia Southern Fogfruit
  Ruellia occidentalis Ruellia
     
Malachite
 Blechum pyramidatum Green Shrimp Plant
Siproeta stelenes Dyschoriste angusta Rock Twinflower
Dyschoriste oblongifolia Swamp Twinflower
  Ruellia caroliniensis Wild Petunia
  Ruellia succulenta Wild Petunia
     
Viceroy
 Salix caroliniana Coastalplain Willow
Limenitis archippus
   
     
Dingy Purplewing
Bursera simaruba Gumbo Limbo
Eunica monima
Gymnanthes lucida Crabwood
     
Florida Purplewing
Gymnanthes lucida Crabwood
Eunica tatila
   
     
Ruddy Daggerwing
Ficus aurea Strangler Fig
Marpesia petreus
Ficus carica Brown Turkey Fig
  Ficus citrifolia Wild Banyan Tree
     
Florida Leafwing
Croton linearis Pineland Croton
Anaea floridalis
Croton lobatus * Lobed Croton
     
Tawny Emperor
Celtis laevigata Hackberry
Asterocampa clyton
   
     
MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES
   
DANAINAE    
     
Monarch
 Asclepias curassavica Scarlet Milkweed
Danaus plexippus
Asclepias incarnata Pink Swamp Milkweed
  Asclepias lanceolata Fewflower Milkweed
  Asclepias longifolia Longleaf Milkweed
  Asclepias perennis White Swamp Milkweed
  Asclepias tomentosa Velvet-leaf Milkweed
  Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed
  Asclepias viridis Green Antelopehorn
  Callotropis gigantea Giant Milkweed
  Cynanchum northropiae Fragrant Swallowwort
  Sarcostemma clausum White Twinvine
     
Queen
 Asclepias curassavica Scarlet Milkweed
Danaus gilippus
Asclepias incarnata Pink Swamp Milkweed
  Asclepias lanceolata Fewflower Milkweed
  Asclepias perennis White Swamp Milkweed
  Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed
  Asclepias viridis Green Antelopehorn
  Callotropis gigantea Giant Milkweed
  Cynanchum angustifolium Gulf Coast Swallowwort
  Cynanchum northropiae Fragrant Swallowwort
  Morrenia odorata Latexplant
  Sarcostemma clausum White Twinvine
     
Soldier
 Asclepias curassavica Scarlet Milkweed
Danaus eresimus
Asclepias incarnata Pink Swamp Milkweed
  Asclepias perennis White Swamp Milkweed
  Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed
  Cynanchum angustifolium Gulf Coast Swallowwort
  Morrenia odorata Latexplant
  Sarcostemma clausum White Twinvine
     
SKIPPERS HESPERIIDAE
   
SPREAD-WINGED SKIPPERS
   
PYRGINAE    
     
Mangrove Skipper
Rhizophora mangle Red Mangrove
Phocides pigmalion
   
     
Zestos Skipper
Galactia striata Florida Hammock Milkpea
Epargyreus zestos
   
     
Silver-spotted Skipper
Desmodium sp. Tick-trefoils
Epargyreus clarus Galactia volubilis Downy Milkpea
Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust
  Wisteria frutescens Wisteria
     
Hammock Skipper
Piscidia piscipula Florida Fishpoison Tree
Polygonus leo
Pongamia pinnata Karum Tree