American Lady Host Plants – Vanessa virginiensis
(We have not fed all these species to American Lady caterpillars. We have only used those with an * by the name. We do not guarantee success with plants that we have not tried although we believe that all of the plants listed below are excellent host plants for American Lady caterpillars.)
*Cudweed – Gnaphalium obtusifolium
Anise – Pimpinella anisum
*Sweet everlasting – Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Plantain leaved pussytoes – Antennaria plantaginifolia
*Licorice plant – Helichrysum petiolare
Icicle plant – Helichrysum thianschanicum
*Pearly everlasting – Anaphalis margaritacea
Silver Brocade, Silver Cascade – Artemisia stelleriana
*Pennsylvania everlasting – Gamochaeta pensylvanica
*Spoonleaf purple everlasting – Gamochaeta purpurea
Caribbean purple everlasting (Delicate everlasting) – Gamochaeta antillana
Pussy-toes – Antennaria parlinii
(Ironweed and burdock are listed as hosts on some websites. We and other farmers and enthusiasts have tried to raise American Lady caterpillars on both plants. The larvae wouldn’t even taste the leaves and simply starved to death rather than eat the leaves.)
Butterfly Fun Facts 