Larval food plants of Lepidoptera

Updated on Dec 20, 2023

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Caterpillars (larvae) of Lepidoptera species (i.e. of butterflies and moths) are mostly (though not exclusively) herbivores, often oligophagous, i.e. feeding on a narrow variety of plant species (mostly on their leaves, but sometimes on fruit or other parts.

Lepidopteran larvae often require specific species of food plants. It also makes some of them important pests in agriculture or forestry. The host plants have yet to be determined for some species. There is not always consensus among lepidopterists over the listing of suitable plants.

Adult females normally lay their eggs on or near specific food plants (which often have to be abundant enough). Lepidopteran larvae can often be raised on a variety food plants and commercial mixtures. Closely related Lepidoptera tend to have similar food plant preferences. Many caterpillars sequester the toxins from their food plants and use them as a defense against predators. Though it is common for Lepidoptera to prefer a certain plant genus or family, some species feed on a narrow selection of unrelated taxa. The choice is unrelated to nectar plant preferences of adult Lepidoptera, which are much less strict.

Lists

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Abelia

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Achillea

List of Lepidoptera that feed on alders

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Artemisia

List of Lepidoptera that feed on ashes

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Aster

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Atriplex

List of Lepidoptera that feed on beeches

List of Lepidoptera that feed on beets

List of Lepidoptera that feed on birches

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Brassica

List of Lepidoptera that feed on brooms

List of Lepidoptera that feed on buckthorns

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Buddleja

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Calluna

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Camellia

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Centaurea

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Chenopodium

List of Lepidoptera that feed on chestnut trees

List of Lepidoptera that feed on chrysanthemums

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Cirsium

List of Lepidoptera that feed on clovers

List of Lepidoptera that feed on cotton plants

List of Lepidoptera that feed on currants

List of Lepidoptera that feed on dandelions

List of Lepidoptera that feed on elms

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Eucalyptus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Galium

List of Lepidoptera that feed on goldenrods

List of Lepidoptera that feed on grapevines

List of Lepidoptera that feed on grasses

List of Lepidoptera that feed on hawthorns

List of Lepidoptera that feed on hazels

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Helianthus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on honeysuckles

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Ipomoea

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Juncus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on larches

List of Lepidoptera that feed on lettuces

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Lotus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Malus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on maples

List of Lepidoptera that feed on oaks

List of Lepidoptera that feed on pear trees

List of Lepidoptera that feed on pines

List of Lepidoptera that feed on plantains

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Polygonum

List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Potentilla

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Prunus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on ragweeds

List of Lepidoptera that feed on rhododendrons

List of Lepidoptera that feed on roses

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Rubus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Rumex

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Senecio

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Silene

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Solanum

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Sorbus

List of Lepidoptera that feed on spruces

List of Lepidoptera that feed on strawberry plants

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Tilia

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Vaccinium

List of Lepidoptera that feed on Viburnum

List of Lepidoptera that feed on willows

References

Larval food plants of Lepidoptera Wikipedia

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