Elizabeth Danforth Butterfly Garden Guide

Spicebush Swallowtail​
Papilio troilus​

This butterfly is named for the Spicebush, the food source of its three broods of green larvae. In its flying stage this butterfly will take nectar from many flowers.​

Zebra Swallowtail​
Protographium marcellus​

This butterfly will only eat Pawpaw tree leaves when in the larval stage.  When a butterfly, it eats nectar from flowers.  ​

Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor​

This shimmering butterfly eats the native Pipe Vine which gives the larva an acrid taste.  Many butterflies mimic the Pipe Vine Swallowtail, misleading predators.​

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail​Papilio glaucus​

This butterfly with tails on its hind wings uses the leaves of tulip, hop, apple and plum trees as its larval food and nectar from flowers for energy.

Question Mark​Polygonia interrogationis​

This butterfly gets its name from the shape of wings that look like a question mark.  It hibernates in winter and eats elm and hackberry leaves as its larval food source.  ​

Red Admiral​
Vanessa atalanta​

This butterfly has an almost continuous orange circle on the dorsal (top) side. Both the adult and the pupa hibernate in winter, and there are several generations per year. ​

Monarch​
Danaus plexippus​

The larva eats only milkweed plants and as a result tastes bitter to predators.  This butterfly migrates to Mexico.  In the spring it flies north with many generations developing before fall. ​

Painted Lady​
Vanessa cardui​

This butterfly with white spots migrates north and is seen in April.  The larva prefers thistles and in the flying stage takes nectar from flowers.​

Buckeye​
Junonia coenia​

This butterfly migrates south- always staying where it is warm enough to continue the butterfly life cycle.  The larva feed on Plantain, Sedum, and Vervain, and in the flying stage the Buckeye uses the nectar from flowers for energy.​

Great Spangled Fritillary​
Speyeria cybele​

This butterfly has only one generation each year.  It eats violet leaves in its larval stage and many flowers for their sweet nectar in its flying stage.​

Silver Spotted Skipper​
Epargyreus clarus​

This butterfly holds its wings up and moves quickly.  It is the most easily recognized of the many skippers because of the bright white patch on both hind wings.​

Cabbage White​
Pieris rapae​

This butterfly is a European native and was found in North America in 1860.  The food source of its larva is the cabbage family.  Seen from March to October, it continues to lay eggs.​