LEPIDOPTERA

Research has identified Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) larvae (caterpillars) as critical links in the food chain and act as good indicators for ecological resilience in a landscape.

The larvae eat a plant’s leaves, essentially converting sunlight into protein for hungry birds.

The adult butterflies and moths then pollinate plants, along with other insects such as wasps, flies, and beetles.

Following is a list of important keystone plants native to Virginia. The numbers indicate the quantity of lepidoptera species supported by each plant.

Top Plants for Food Web Support

436   Quercus/Oak — such as Q. alba, Q. velutina

340   Prunus/Plum — such as P. americana, P. serotina

289   Salix/Willow — such as S. nigra

284   Betula/Birch — such as B. nigra

249   Populus/Cottonwood — such as P. deltoides

238   Acer/Maple — such as A. negundo, A. rubrum

217   Vaccinium/Blueberry — such as V. corymbosum, V. pallidum

213   Carya/Hickory — such as C. glabra

200   Pinus/Pine — such as P. virginiana

164   Ulmus/Elm — such as U. americana

127   Rubus/Raspberry — such as R. flagellaris, R. occidentalis

125   Juglans/Walnut — such as J. nigra

121   Fraxinus/Ash — such as F. americana, F. pennsylvanica

116   Fagus/Beech — such as F. grandifolia

115   Castanea/Chestnut — such as C. pumila

108   Corylus/Hazelnut —- such as C. americana

104   Solidago/Goldenrod — such as S. rugosa

102   Rosa/Rose — such as R. carolina, R. palustris

100   Symphyotrichum/Aster — such as S. cordifolium, S. novae-angliae

92     Amelanchier/Serviceberry — such as A. arborea

Banner image - Black Walnut, Juglans nigra by Gary Fleming, DCR Natural Heritage Program

90% of keystone species are woody trees + shrubs.