Growing the Right Vines for Swallowtail Butterflies
Guest post by Malcolm Tattersall.
Edited, updated, proofread – Admin.
Feature Image: Nosferattus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Many gardeners know a special vine can draw Birdwing butterflies, but its name and which butterflies need it spark frequent questions.
In short, one group of Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars feeds only on a specific plant family. These butterflies, called Troidini—a scientific “tribe” between family and genus—belong to the Swallowtail family (Papilionidae). Their plants are Birthworts (Aristolochiaceae).
Our local Troidini include the Clearwing Swallowtail (Cressida cressida), Red-bodied Swallowtail (Pachliopta polydorus), and all Birdwing species (Ornithoptera). The Birthworts we care about fall in the genus Aristolochia—or once did. Many go by the common name Dutchman’s Pipe vines.
The details get tricky, but here’s what you need to attract butterflies to your garden:
Aristolochia acuminata (also called Aristolochia tagala)
Aristolochia acuminata / Aristolochia tagala feeds all Birdwing species, plus Red-bodied and Clearwing Swallowtails. It’s the go-to vine in Townsville gardens, sold as Aristolochia acuminata at the Bush Garden Nursery.
Richmond Butterfly Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa)
Dutchman’s Pipe Vine
Dutchman’s Pipe Vine (Aristolochia elegans, also Aristolochia littoralis) is one to avoid. This South American exotic lures adult butterflies to lay eggs, but its leaves often poison their caterpillars.
Scientific / botanical Vs. common names? Why do these questions linger?
Scientific names for vines and butterflies shift over time. Common names muddle things by lumping similar species together. Plus, other native vines feed different Swallowtails, adding to the mix. For the full scoop, check the original article on my blog, Green Path.