The following plants will attract and encourage butterflies in Iowa. Most provide nectar for adults; others (marked with a C ) are a necessary food source for specific caterpillars. Refer to Food Preferences of Common Iowa Butterflies. Some plants support both caterpillars and adult butterflies (for example, asters, milkweeds and thistles). Inclusion of a plant does not constitute an endorsement of its use. Evaluate carefully your site and all available information before deciding to plant or retain any plants in your landscape.

Adapted from Krischik, V., 1996. Butterfly Gardening. University of Minnesota Extension Service publication AG-BU-6711-S.

Prepared by Donald R. Lewis, extension entomologist and Richard Jauron and Cindy Haynes, extension horticulturists. January, 2001

This article originally appeared in the February 23, 2001 issue, pp. 15-16.