California Native Caterpillars & Their Host Plants
California Caterpillars and the Native Plants That Feed Them
Quick answer: Butterfly gardening requires both adult nectar plants and larval host plants. A caterpillar can usually feed only on a limited set of related plants, so identify the local butterfly or moth first, confirm its host relationship from a reliable regional source, and expect some leaf loss. Plant enough host material to support feeding without losing the garden’s structure.
| Question | Why it matters | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Which insect is local? | Ranges and flight periods vary across California | Use regional records and observations, not a national list alone |
| What is the larval host? | Nectar plants do not automatically feed caterpillars | Confirm the exact plant genus or species relationship |
| Is the plant suited to the site? | A host plant still needs appropriate sun, soil, and water | Match it through the California native site guide |
| Can feeding damage be accepted? | Chewed leaves are evidence that the host plant is working | Place host plants where imperfect foliage is welcome |
| Is there enough plant material? | A single small plant may be consumed quickly | Use several plants or repeat host patches where space allows |
| How will pesticides be managed? | Broad-spectrum insecticides can harm target and beneficial insects | Use prevention and the least disruptive intervention appropriate to the problem |
Place host plants inside a complete habitat plan with the pollinator garden guide, the California native gardening guide, and the seasonal calendar. Browse the current California native pollinator collection.
As conscientious gardeners, many of us have added plants that attract pollinators to our corners of paradise. This includes butterflies of many kinds, including the well-known Monarch, Painted Lady and Anise Swallowtail. But there is even a more surefire way to attract particular butterflies and moths to your garden and that is by planting host plants for these winged pollinators.
Monarch
Easily our most famous Bay Area resident butterfly, Monarchs also have one of the most beautiful caterpillars. Large and long, they are immediately recognizable by their yellow, black and white striping. And where do you find them? Why on 'milkweeds.'
Native milkweeds featured in Annie's catalog include Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa and A. speciosa 'Davis') and Narrowleaf Milkweed (A. fascicularis). Nodding Milkweed (A. glaucescens) is another California native host plant. Availability changes seasonally, so check the current Asclepias - Milkweed collection.
Pipevine Swallowtail
Perhaps the most beautiful butterfly in our region, this butterfly has dusky dark outer portions and iridescent blue inner portions. As its common name suggests, this guy prefers only one plant as its host – the California pipevine (Aristolochia californica) or California Dutchman's-pipe.
Anise Swallowtail
This beautiful yellow and black butterfly is very common in our area. Its caterpillar form is just as striking, a bright green with distinctive yellow spots framed by black borders. It has several host plants, including our native Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum). You can also have great success with the common fennel plant.
Cow parsnip and fennel are examples of host plants used by Anise Swallowtail caterpillars. Adult butterflies visit many kinds of nectar-rich flowers, so a garden that combines host plants with flowering plants can support more stages of the butterfly life cycle.
Painted Lady
Painted Lady is one of the most familiar butterflies in our Bay Area gardens. A gorgeous orange, with black and orange banding on its upper wings and rows of small black markings on the lower wings, its caterpillar is no less striking.
The main host plant for this gal is our wonderful California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica). This xeriscape plant needs almost no summer water and offers the most shimmering silvery foliage on 3-4′ H&W bushes. Though the flowers are small and indistinctive, this sagebrush still attracts plenty of 'Ladies.'
California Tortoiseshell
This lovely smaller-sized butterfly has an appearance similar to the Painted Lady. Its black banding is however only along the upper margins of its wings and it possesses no lower black spots.
These beautiful butterflies like to lay their eggs on our local California lilacs (Ceanothus) and Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos). That includes the prolific blooming Ceanothus thyrsiflorus and the taller C. 'Ray Hartman'.
Mormon Metalmark
This beautiful butterfly displays a most intriguing pattern, with a chocolate brown body dramatically dotted with white spots. This area is contrasted by bright orange on the upper wings next to the head.
You'll find this beauty munching on the leaves of our native Seaside buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium). Many of you know that California buckwheats are one of the great pollinator plants to add to our gardens. Very durable and easy to grow, Seaside buckwheat is the gift that keeps on giving.
Silvery Blue Butterfly
There may be no prettier butterfly in our Bay Area than the quixotic Silver Blue Butterfly. A gorgeous sky blue throughout, with delicate white veining and a dramatic black border, this elusive butterfly can sometimes be a bit hard to find.
Its favorite host plant is the native Yellow Coastal Bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus). This vigorous herbaceous lupine gets to a robust 4'x4′ and in late spring is smothered in cheerful yellow flowers displayed on tall spikes. A magnet for bees as well as a number of local butterflies.
Orange Sulphur Moth
The Orange Sulphur's appearance may not be dramatic but its soft colors are no less alluring. It displays pale yellow wings with an orange aura, bordered by a ribbed, soft brown color. Sublime.
That would be the lovely Silver Bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons). It too forms a voluminous bush (42" x 42") and produces soft green foliage with a shimmering silvery cast. It produces 8-12" high spikes of fragrant purple flowers throughout the late spring and summer that attract a variety of pollinators.
Variable Checkerspot
You might think of this black-winged native butterfly as the 'goth' member of the family. Black-as-night wings are generously dotted with rows of white spots, with just a few orange spots on the top wings for a touch of color.
Black, with rows of orange spots, it is an eating machine on its favorite host plant – the Sticky Monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus). Both its orange-flowering straight species and its yellow, pink and red hybrids are magnets for a variety of local pollinators.
Planting & Caring for Host Plants
Most of the plants discussed here grow best with abundant light and good drainage, although Cow Parsnip generally prefers part shade. Match each plant to its own light, soil, water, and climate requirements.
Because caterpillars feed directly on host plants, avoid applying insecticides to plants being used for caterpillar habitat. Always read and follow the current product label for any garden treatment, and consider how an application could affect caterpillars, butterflies, and other non-target insects.
Availability
Plant availability changes throughout the growing season. Follow the current product and collection links in this article to see what is available online, and use the wishlist option on eligible product pages to receive availability updates.
Explore more choices in our California Native Pollinator Garden and Butterfly Garden Favorites collections.
FAQ About Butterfly Host Plants
What is a “host plant” and why is it important?
Why is milkweed essential for Monarch butterflies?
Do all butterflies use the same host plants?
What’s the difference between plants for caterpillars and adult butterflies?
Should pesticides be used on butterfly host plants?
Continue Exploring California Native Gardening
Connect this topic to site selection, establishment watering, wildlife, seasonal planting, and garden design in our California Native Gardening Guide. Shop currently available plants in the California Natives collection.
Related Annie’s guides: pollinator garden guide.
