April 15, 2026 Top Five Plant Species to Attract Rare Butterflies and Moths in Minnesota One of the greatest rewards of ecological restoration is seeing the wide variety of butterflies and moths fluttering about blooming native plants. In Minnesota, we are fortunate in that our diverse native ecosystems are home to over 1,200 species of Lepidoptera! (The order of insects that include butterflies and moths). Some are adaptable generalists, but others are specialists– relying on just one or a few host plants for their survival. The term host plant refers to a plant species that supports the feeding and/or reproduction of a certain organism. Sadly, due to the loss of so much native habitat, many moth and butterfly species have become endangered, especially those with very specific host plant requirements. By understanding the connection between insects and their host plants, we can design restorations that benefit the most vulnerable species. Here are five top Minnesota native plant species for attracting rare butterflies and moths to your favorite natural areas. Milkweed It’s hard to find a better example of host plants than monarch butterflies and plants in the milkweed genus. Milkweed is essential to monarch survival because it is the only genus of plant that monarchs lay eggs on and caterpillars eat. Plants in the milkweed genus produce a milky substance called latex. Latex is toxic to most animals, but monarchs have developed immunity to it. By consuming milkweed leaves, monarch caterpillars themselves become toxic, offering protection against predators. To help create habitat for monarch butterflies make sure to incorporate plenty of milkweed in your restoration. We find that swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), and butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) are especially coveted by hungry caterpillars Prairie Violet Another notable host-species relationship is between prairie violet and the regal fritillary butterfly. The regal fritillary is a striking orange and black butterfly that was once widespread across the United States. It faced a population crash in the late 1900s, and is now listed as a species of special concern in Minnesota. Regal fritillary larvae feed primarily on prairie violet leaves, though in SE Minnesota they are known to also utilize bird’s foot violet (Viola pedate var.pedata). Prairie violets are a short-statured and non-aggressive spring-bloomer with pale purple flowers, making them a great candidate for planting in home gardens! Leadplant Leadplant is a small (2-3’ tall) shrub-like prairie species that boasts bright purple flowers atop silvery green foliage. Being from the legume family, its rhizomes can bind atmospheric nitrogen and improve the health of nutrient poor soils. It also happens to be the host plant of three MN species of special concern: leadplant flower moths, abbreviated underwing moths, and Whitney’s underwing moths. Leadplant used to be a common feature of Minnesota’s once expansive prairies, but with the decimation of all but 1% of Minnesota’s remnant prairies, both leadplant and its host-species have become far more rare. Wild Lupine Another all-star host plant is wild lupine. This vibrant prairie flower is the host plant of the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly and the MN endangered Persius duskywing butterfly. Karner blue butterflies are a small stunning blue to brown colored butterfly associated with oak savannas in the Great Lakes region. The larvae of this rare butterfly only feed on wild lupine leaves and fruit. Interestingly, they also have a unique relationship with Formica ants. The ants protect the butterfly larvae from predators and in exchange feed from sweet liquid produced by the larvae. Like Karner blues, Persius duskywings inhabit oak savannas in the Great Lakes region with high populations of wild lupine. The greatest threat to these species is habitat loss, making restoring wild lupine a top priority for their conservation. Little Bluestem The final addition to our list is little bluestem. This native grass is a favored host plant of several butterflies in the grass skipper family. These butterflies tend to look more like moths, with stout fuzzy bodies and mostly brown coloration. Dakota skippers are listed as a federally endangered species, while Iowa skippers are listed as a Minnesota species of concern, and Ottoe skippers as a Minnesota endangered species. These butterflies use little bluestem for food as larvae. With its blue-green blades that turn to a lovely bronze color in autumn and its low-mounding growth habit, little bluestem is an excellent native grass for natural areas, even in urban-residential lots. Start Helping Rare Pollinators Today! Though the problems that butterfly and moth populations face are numerous, the solutions are simple; planting native plants, especially host plants, offer essential food and habitat to threatened Lepidopterian species. Native plant restoration helps your yard come alive, not just with abundant pollinators and wildlife, but also with year-round color, texture, and interest. If you’re interested in starting your native plant restoration but unsure of where to begin, contact us today! We offer design, installation, and maintenance services. We also offer Minnesota native shore, wetland, prairie, and woodland species to create your own special natural area. Of course, we grow all of our plants without pesticides.
