Learning about the types of plants that female butterflies lay their eggs in in your area is the key to finding caterpillars. These plants are also known as "host" plants. Once you know how to identify specific host plants, you'll have the skills to spot caterpillars native to your area among the plant's leaves and flowers.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Identifying Common Host Plants
Step 1. Look for milkweed plants in a dry climate and location
The milkweed plant is a host plant for the monarch butterfly species, the most common butterfly species found in North America. Milkweed plants usually grow in dry climates and can be found in fields and along roadsides. The leaves of the milkweed plant are usually long and oval in shape, containing small, flat, reddish-brown seeds with fine hairs growing at the tips.
Step 2. Look for spicebush in moist forests and swamps
Spicebush is a type of small, dark green shrub with oval leaves. This plant is a host for the Spicebush Swallowtail and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly species. Plants that usually grow under large trees in the forest also grow shiny red buni fruit.
Step 3. Look for pawpaw trees in any humid area of eastern North America
The pawpaw tree is a host plant for the Zebra Swallowtails butterfly species. This tree can usually be found throughout eastern North America near rivers, ravines and steep hillsides. The pawpaw tree has large, wet leaves and bears large pale fruit of the same name as the tree.
Step 4. Look for herbs such as fennel sowa, parsley and fennel
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is attracted to the herbs mentioned above. Therefore, if you plant herbal plants in your home, it will help you find caterpillars. Fennel, parsley and fennel can grow wild in North America and can be purchased at most nurseries.
Step 5. Look for hazelnut trees in the humid lowlands of North America
The candlenut tree is a host to the Luna Moth species, which is one of the largest types of moths in North America. Candlenut trees can usually be found near ravines and streams. This tree thrives in the California area. The candlenut tree can grow up to 21.3 m and tends to have branches that grow prominently and are round and upright.
Part 2 of 2: Looking for Caterpillars
Step 1. Get to know the types of caterpillars in your area
There are about 20,000 different butterfly species worldwide, about 725 of which are in North America.
To learn more about the types of butterflies and caterpillars that exist in your area, visit your government's official website, the website and office of the forest and wildlife conservation office or visit your local library
Step 2. Look at the pictures of the caterpillars so you know what species to look for and how to identify them
Caterpillars can be distinguished by species and can grow with feathers, green or bright
Step 3. Find a host plant where a local butterfly species lives
You can look for them in your fields, forests, gardens or backyards and even nurseries in your area.
Step 4. Look for eggs or caterpillars in the leaves and flowers of the host plant
Step 5. Check for holes in the leaf that are in the center or base of the leaf
The caterpillars often eat leaves and leave chewing holes.
Look at the underside of the leaf that contains the hole. Caterpillars will generally hide and chew the leaves from the bottom
Step 6. Stand under host trees and shrubs and look up to find hanging caterpillars
Caterpillars will often hang from the sides of leaves and stems using silk threads, especially when they are in danger.
Tips
- If you're having trouble finding host plants for certain butterflies and moths, then try buying them at a nursery and planting them in your backyard or garden. Butterflies native to your area will often congregate and lay eggs on these host plants.
- To increase the number of butterflies and moths that congregate in your backyard or garden, grow nectar plants in addition to growing host plants. Nectar plants can produce a sweet liquid that is usually eaten by butterflies. Some examples of nectar plants are azaleas, sunflowers, black-eyed susans, lilacs, marigolds and other types of plants that can grow in your area.
