Cornucopia Acres

About our butterflies

There are almost 20,000 species of butterflies in the world and over 200 of those species are in the Pacific Northwest. All butterflies have 4 stages to their life cycle. The first stage is that of an egg. The eggs will be laid on a host plant- which is a plant that the caterpillar (or larva) can feed on after hatching. The second stage is that of the caterpillar. The main goal of the caterpillar in this stage is to eat and to grow. The third stage is that of the Chrysalis (or Pupa). In this stage they will liquify themselves in order to rebuild themselves into a butterfly. The final stage is that of the butterfly, which is also known as the reproductive stage. Their main goals are to mate and to lay eggs, in order to start the cycle over again.

Like our native bees, our native butterflies will be considered either generalists or specialists. When we talk about bees being generalists or specialists, we are talking about the flowers they get their nectar from. When we talk about butterflies being generalists or specialists, we are talking about the host plants that they can lay their eggs on. The generalists can lay their eggs on a multitude of different types of host plants and the caterpillars can grow to be perfectly healthy adult butterflies. They still have favorites and cannot lay on any leaf, but they have many more options than that of the specialist. An example of a generalist butterfly is our Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus). This Swallowtail can lay their eggs on cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), aspen (Populus tremuloides), alders (Alnus spp.), ash (Fraxinus latifolia), and willows (Salix spp.), and so many more. An example of a specialist butterfly is our Western Monarch (Danaus plexippus), The Western Monarch is only able to lay their eggs on plants in the Milkweed (Asclepias) genus. A significant decrease in their milkweed plants greatly contributed to their dramatic decline in numbers.

Another characteristic of butterflies worth noting is that some are migratory, and some are stationary. The Monarch Butterfly is one of the most famous of these Migratory butterflies in the Pacific Northwest. They are also the only butterfly to make two-way migration. They travel to Mexico for the winter and North again for the Spring and Summer. Other migratory butterflies include the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies. For the colder months, the Red Admirals will migrate south to Mexico; and the North American Painted Ladies migrate to the Western parts of Texas and to Mexico. They will remain there until their passing and their children will migrate back to the northern states.

Though a few species of our butterflies are migratory, the majority are stationary. Instead of migration, they will become dormant through winter, and different species are dormant at different times. For example, the California Tortoiseshells will overwinter as adult butterflies. They hide away in trees, crevices, wood piles, and other types of shelter. The Pale Swallowtails (Papilio erymedon) overwinter on one of their many host plants, during the chrysalis stage. The Pine Whites (Neophasia menapia) overwinter as eggs, which are laid on pine trees.

Whether the butterflies are generalists or specialists, migratory or stationary, they all have this in common- they prefer native plants. Our pollinators are four times more likely to pick a native plant over an introduced species. They are a familiar food source for both the larva and the adult butterflies.

Our butterfly's decline

One major reason for the decline in butterfly numbers is loss of habitat. Development is taking away their native meadows, trees and shrubs that they depend on for their very survival. Not only housing but lawns, businesses, and agriculture. Also, invasive species are outcompeting their native host plants. Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) and the Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus discolor, R. procerus, R. armeniacus) are extremely invasive species that are crowding out our native plants. Scotch Broom has taken over 1.5 million acres, and Himalayan Blackberries have taken over more than 1.6 million acres in Oregon alone. These two plants love open and sunny locations and can completely take them over. Replace Scotch Broom with Goldenrod (Solidago elongata, S. lepida S. gigantea, S. missouriensis). Replace HImalayan Blackberry with one of our native Rubus plants such as our blackberry (R. ursinus), raspberry (R. leucodermis, R. glaucifolius), and thimbleberry (R. nutkanus).

Another reason for their decline is pesticide use. They are being poisoned due to the spraying of lawns, orchards, roadsides, and large-scale farms. According to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, the United States uses approximately 1 billion pounds of conventional pesticides every year. Our butterflies are laying their eggs on sprayed leaves, their larva are eating sprayed leaves, they are collecting nectar from sprayed flowers, and are being directly sprayed on. In addition, many of their host plants are being sprayed and removed because, to many, they are considered weeds.

To save our butterflies, we must grow their host plants and nectar plants, and leave their environment free of toxins.

Our more common butterflies

Monarch

Danaus plexippus plexippus

Host plants:

Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.); Showy (A. speciosa), Narrow-leaf (A. fascicularis), Davis (A. cryptoceras), Heart-Leaf (A. cordifolia)

Swallowtail

Papilio spp- Black (P. Indra), Anise (P. zelicaon) Oregon (P. oregonius)

Host plants:

Lomatium spp.; California Lomatium (L. californicum), Fernleaf Biscuitroot (L. dissectum), Bigseed lomatium (L. macrocarpum) Broad-fruit lomatium (L. triternatum)

Western Tiger (P. rutulus)

Generalists

Host plants:

Birch (Betula spp.); Resin (B. glandulosa), Water (B. occidentalis)

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides),

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Big-leaf Maple ( Acer macrophyllum)

Cottonwood; Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)

Gossamer Blues

Polyommatinae

Echo Azure (Celastrina echo)

Host plants:

Lilacs (Ceanothus spp.)- California Lilac (C. thyrsiflorus), Mountain Balm (C. velutinus)

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

Blackberries (Rubus spp.)

Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)

Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)

Host plants:

American bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus unifoliatus)

Lupines (Lupinus spp.)- Silver (L. albifrons), Bigleaf (L. polyphyllus), etc.

Boisduval's Blue (Icaricia icarioides)

Host plants:

Lupine (Lupinus spp.)- River (L. rivularis), Broadleaf (L. latifolius)

Painted Lady

California Sister

Gossamer Blues

Vanessa cardui

Generalists

Host plants:

Thistles (Cirsium spp.)- Clustered (C. brevistylum), Peregrine (C. cymosum) Few-leaved (C. remotifolium), Dinnerplate (C. scariosum)

Mallows (Malvaceae)- Rose Checkermallow (Sidalcea asprella ssp. virgata), Oregon Checkermallow (Sidalea oregana),

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)

California Sister

Adelpha Californica

Host plants:

Oaks (Quercus spp.)- Canyon Live Oak (Q. chrysolepis), Coast Live Oak (Q. agrifolia)

Lorquin's Admiral

California Sister

Limenitis lorquini

Generalists

Host plants:

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides),

Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) Douglas Spirea (Spirea douglasii)

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Willows (Salix spp.)- Arroyo (S. lasiolepis), Sandbar (S. exigua), Shining (S. lasiandra), Yellow (S. lutea)

Field Crescent

Phyciodes pulchella

Generalists

Host plants:

Golenrods (Solidago spp.); California (S. velutina ssp. californica), Canada (S. lepida, S. elongta)

Asters (Symphyotrichum spp)- Hall's Aster,

Mule's Ear (Wyethia angustifolia)

Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum)

Gumweed (Grindelia intergrifolia)

(Machaeranthera spp.)

rare, threatened, and EnDANGERED BUTTERFLIES

Monarch

Danaus plexippus plexippus

Endangered

Host plants:

Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)- Showy (A. speciosa), Narrow-leaf (A. fascicularis), Davis (A. cryptoceras), Heart-Leaf (A. cordifolia)

Fender's Blue

Icaricia icarioides fenderi

Threatened

Host plants:

Kincaid's Lupine (Lupinus oreganus var. kincaidii)

Sicklekeeled lupine (Lupinus alvicaulis)

Longspurred lupine (Lupinus arbustus)

Found only in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Recently brought back from the verge of extinction.

Oregon Silverspot

Speyeria zerene hippolyta

Threatened to Endangered

Host plant:

Western Blue Violet (Viola adunca)

Buy Viola adunca

Taylors Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha taylori

Endangered

Generalists

Host plants:

Lance-leaf Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata)

Mudwort (Limosella aquatica)

Paintbrush (Castilleja hispida)

Marsh speedwell (Veronica scutellata)

Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia grandiflora)

Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa)

Greenish Blue

Icaricia saepiolus littoralis

Extremely rare to extinct

Host plants:

Long-stalked Clover (Trifolium longipes)

Springbank Clover (Trifolium wormskioldii)

Island Marble

Euchloe ausonides insulanus

Rare

Host plants:

Field mustard (Brassica rapa)

Tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)

Rarest butterfly in North America. Currently only found on San Juan Island

Mardon Skipper

Polites mardon

Endangered

Host plants:

Roemer's Fescue (Festuca roemeri)

Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis) Timber Oatgrass (Danthonia intermedia)

Long-stolen Sedge (Carex inops)

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra juncea)

Pollination and nectar

Though bees are our most efficient pollinators, butterflies still contribute to the pollination of flowers and development for seeds and fruit. Butterflies use their long, straw-like tongues, called a proboscis, to collect nectar from flowers. The sugar in the nectar provides the energy that is necessary for flying, defense and reproduction. While they are collecting the nectar, pollen will stick to their legs and their body. They will then transfer pollen as they fly from flower to flower.

What gives them a slight advantage at pollination is their ability to see a larger array of colors, including one color that bees cannot see- red. Because of their ability to see more colors, they are more willing to land on flowers that a bee may pass up. Another advantage at pollination butterflies have is they also fly further distances than bees. This helps to spread genetic diversity in our flowers.

Butterflies are attracted to the colors red, orange, yellow, pink and purple. They are also attracted to flowers with a flat top they easily land on such as Common Yarrow and Asters. They also like flowers that are clustered such as goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and Snakeroot (Ageratina occidentalis).

Fun Fact:

Butterflies taste with their feet!

Puddlers

Butterflies actually get the water they need from nectar. When we see butterflies drinking from a puddle, they are usually males taking in nutrients. When the males mate, they not only pass on their genetics but they also pass on the nutrients they collect as well. These nutrients are to ensure that the female remains healthy in order to help their offspring survive. They will drink from moist soil and sand, filled with nutrients such as minerals, sodium, and amino acids. They can also collect these nutrients from rotting fruit, dung, sweat, and tree sap.

DIY Puddling Station

To make a puddler at home, all you need is a shallow dish that is at least 12 inches wide, sand, and some composted manure or compost. Finally, add just enough water for the sand to stay moist, and your puddler is complete.

For an added bonus, you can add a small tray of overripe fruit such as bananas, oranges, and/or apples.

Butterflies

About our butterflies

Our butterfly's decline

Our more common butterflies

Monarch

Swallowtail

Gossamer Blues

Gossamer Blues

Painted Lady

California Sister

Gossamer Blues

California Sister

California Sister

California Sister

Lorquin's Admiral

California Sister

California Sister

Field Crescent

Field Crescent

Field Crescent

rare, threatened, and EnDANGERED BUTTERFLIES

Monarch

Fender's Blue

Oregon Silverspot

Taylors Checkerspot

Greenish Blue

Island Marble

Mardon Skipper

Mardon Skipper

Mardon Skipper

Pollination and nectar

Fun Fact:

Perennials rich in nectar

Common Yarrow

Common Yarrow

Common Yarrow

Aster

Common Yarrow

Common Yarrow

Snakeroot

Common Yarrow

Snakeroot

Goldenrod

Common Yarrow

Snakeroot

Coneflower

Coneflower

Coneflower

Mint

Coneflower

Coneflower

Penstemon

Coneflower

Penstemon

Clover

Coneflower

Penstemon

annuals

Sunflower

Blue-field Gilia

Blue-field Gilia

Blue-field Gilia

Blue-field Gilia

Blue-field Gilia

Plectritis

Blue-field Gilia

Plectritis

Clarkia

Blue-field Gilia

Plectritis

shrubs

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Oceanspray

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Mock Orange

Serviceberry

Mock Orange