Which Sunflowers Are The Host Butterflies For?

Sunflowers are a popular choice for butterflies due to their large, flat surface and easy access to nectar. They are also a great place for caterpillars to lay eggs, as they provide a rich source of food for the caterpillars once the eggs hatch. Some butterfly species, such as the Painted Lady, lay their eggs on sunflowers, knowing that once hatched, the caterpillars can feed on the nectar.

The journey begins with a female butterfly laying eggs, often on the leaves of specific host plants like milkweed for monarchs, which will provide the nectar. The sunflower’s foliage also makes a great place for caterpillars to build nests, with butterflies, leaf-cutting bees, spiders, ladybirds, ladybugs, and lightning bugs also feeding on the plant. For monarch butterflies, milkweed is vital as it is the only plant on which they lay eggs. Bee balm is also an attractive and beneficial plant for monarch butterflies.

Several butterfly species, including silvery checkerspots, lay their eggs on Harsh Sunflowers and its relatives. From these eggs, the butterfly’s caterpillars hatch and munch on sunflower leaves, or sometimes on no other plant. Silvery checkerspot larvae strip the sunflower, while adult butterflies may see Gulf Fritillaries and smaller butterflies, but not too many Swallowtails and no Monarchs. Overall, sunflowers offer a diverse range of plants for butterflies to lay their eggs, with some species preferring specific host plants.