I'm pretty sure this is a Red spotted purple butterfly on my marigolds.  I've seen it around a lot lately, sipping nectar from my marigolds and zinnias.  

 

I've seen a couple of Monarchs too, but they don't stick around long.  They are looking for milkweed, and I only have one plant.  Hardly enough to feed many Monarchs.

 

I try to provide a variety of nectar and host plants in my garden.  Many flowers produce nectar, but butterflies have their favorites.   Black-eyed Susan,  Joe-Pye weed,  Liatris,  Coreopsis,  Pentas,  Asters,  Butterfly weed,  Lantana, Purple coneflower,  and  Butterfly bush  are the Top Ten Nectar Plants according to the Stokes Butterfly Book.  Most butterflies will feed on these.

 

They are also very selective when it comes to where they lay their eggs.  They lay eggs on the type of plant their larvae want to eat when they hatch;  these are called "host plants."   There are only a few plants that attract three or more species of butterfly for egg laying.  Since the caterpillars eat the leaves, it's probably Nature's way for self preservation.  I've seen some serious chewage on host plants.

 

As I identify trees and plants in this blog, I'll try to remember to list which butterflies use them for host plants.  

 

So far I have talked about Persimmon (not a host plant for butterflies) and Chestnut (also not a host plant.)

Marigolds host Dainty sulphurs, and Milkweed is a host plant to Monarchs.  Dill, Parsley, Queen Anne's Lace, and Fennel all host Black swallowtails.  I keep lots of these plants in my garden.  

 

There are so many common trees and plants that host butterflies.  I'm excited to share them with you.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!