Did you know that a single pair of chickadees needs between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars to raise their chicks? Caterpillars are a primary food and protein source for hundreds of animals, especially birds. Plus, if not eaten, they’ll turn into beautiful butterflies or moths!
Support the entire food web by planting these caterpillar host plants:
Trees and Shrubs
Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) – Hosts dozens of moth and butterfly species, including Oak Hairstreak and Spring Azure.
Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) – Supports species like the Green Hairstreak and various moth larvae.
Red Alder (Alnus rubra) – Important for many moth caterpillars.
Willows (Salix spp.) – Host to many butterfly species, including Viceroy and Northern Checkerspot.
Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor) – Supports larvae of several moth species.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) – Used by caterpillars of hairstreak butterflies.
Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia) – Host for the Ash Sphinx Moth and others.
Perennials and Wildflowers
Common Camas (Camassia quamash) – Host for specific moth caterpillars in wet meadows.
Riverbank Lupine (Lupinus rivularis) – Host for at least 10 species of butterflies and moths
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) – one of our best native hosts for the endangered Monarch Butterfly
Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) – Larvae feed on leaves and flowers.
Violets (Viola spp.) – Essential host for Fritillary butterfly caterpillars.
Willowherbs (Epilobium spp.) – Host to various moth larvae.
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) – Supports some butterfly larvae.
Grasses and Sedges
Roemer’s Fescue (Festuca roemeri) – Host for Skipper butterfly caterpillars.
Blue Wildrye (Elymus glaucus) – Food plant for several moth species.
Slender Hairgrass (Deschampsia elongata) – Supports various small moth larvae.
