Butterfly Lifecycle
From caterpillar to butterfly
Complete Metamorphosis: Nature's Most Incredible Transformation
📖 12 min read • Educational
Host plants are the foundation of the butterfly lifecycle. Without them, caterpillars cannot survive.
Each butterfly species can only use specific host plants. Here are some common Texas butterflies and their hosts:
- Monarchs → Milkweed (Asclepias species)
- Black Swallowtails → Dill, fennel, parsley, rue
- Gulf Fritillaries → Passionvine
- Painted Ladies → Thistle, hollyhock, mallow
- Question Marks → Elm, hackberry, nettles
- Giant Swallowtails → Citrus, rue, Hercules club
- Pipevine Swallowtails → Pipevine (Aristolochia)
Don't Panic About Damage
Seeing holes in your host plants is a GOOD thing! It means caterpillars are eating and growing. Native plants recover quickly from this natural feeding.
Explore Butterflies
Discover the butterflies of Central Texas and learn which host plants they need!
View Butterflies