(Heraclides cresphontes) Largest of the North American butterflies it is a suprisingly easy one to attract to the garden, fond of flowers large enough to support it's bulk, favors Tithonia, Mexican Flame Vine and Sunflowers. The caterpillar if the common pest of Citrus trees known as the "Orange Dog", also uses members of the "Prickly Ash" family and Common Rue.
The Monarch
(Danaus plexippus) Undoubtably America's favorite butterfly, this lovely insect lays it's eggs exclusivly on members of the Asclepias, Asclepias currasavica being perhaps the easiest to grow in the south, the caterpillars concentrate the poisonous cardiac glycosides found in milkweeds and retain them on into the adult stage giving the species inedibility learned early by birds. Although most people know of the Monarchs famous migration from to their over wintering ground, most do not know that specimens also spend the winter in Southern California and extreme south Florida.
Pipevine Swallowtail
(Battus philenor) A common visitor in southern gardens the pipevine is often mistaken for the Eastern Black Swallowtail and indeed they are mimics of each other. The butterfly lays its eggs upon members of the genus Aristolochia (The pipevines). The caterpillars travel in "herds" when young becoming solitary in later instars. Favors verbenas, tithonia, and porterweed as nectar sources.
The Red Admiral
(Vanessa atalanta) A common butterfly visiting most any available nectar source the Red Admiral chooses one of the least invited plants for it's caterpillar, laying it's eggs on members of the Nettles (Urtica). However if you can locate a shady moist spot for it's favorite forage plant, it's a delightfull insect in the garden.
The Sulphurs
Any of several related species having much the same habits, these beautiful yellow butterflies are believed to have oriinated the name "Butterfly", all will use any of the common necter plants and lay their eggs on members of the Cassia genus, Cassia alata and C. bicapsularis being favored in this area.
Giant Swallowtail
The Monarch
Pipevine Swallowtail
The Red Admiral
