Black swallowtail cats will eat Queen Anne's Lace but I would not say that it is the butterfly's preferred host plant.

I used to grow Queen Anne's Lace until I found out it is classified as a non-native invasive. I switched to dill and parsley. I found all my cats on the dill and then switched them to parsley since I had more parsley for food. I've never had a BST cat refuse the food switch.

KC

Gosh, haven't been on the forum in what seems like forever! Anyway, QAL is not their preferred host plant, IMHO, cuz I have tons of it growing in my yard. They DO, however, use it for nectaring. I've seen many a swallowtail, black or other species, nectaring on the flowers.

The preferred host plant in my area is fennel. I grow two different kinds, both of which are just as popular as the other - the bulb fennel and bronze fennel. I grew quite a lot of parsley for them last year, and they turned their noses (snouts? probiscuses?) up at it.

I also grow lots of the herb, Rue (medicinal, but not used anymore). This attracts both the Black Swallowtails and the Giant Swallowtails, so it does double duty. It's a pretty plant, too. Not too many places carry it, but since I live in a large urban city, there are a few nurseries here that do.

Rue is hardy to something like zone 7, too, but it is a short-lived perennial in that it does well for 4-5 years and then has a tendency to die out. I wouldn't be without it, though.

Hope this helps you some!

Susan

Hi Susan, I haven't been here for a long time either. I stop by the forum often to read and catch up with everyone. It 's hard to come up with any interesting butterfly stuff this time of the year in New England.

I have seen Black Swallowtails lay eggs on Queen Anne's lace flowers in the field. Around here, it's the only possible wild host plant I can think of.

Is QAL a non native?

If so, what would the swallowtails have used before it's introduction?

Maryann in CT

I have never raised BSTs on these but these plants are native USA food sources I've read about: Prairie Parsley, Golden Alexanders (AKA Golden Zizia), Dutchman's Breeches and Rue of the Mountains. Of those 4, Golden Alexanders is the one I've seriously considered adding to my garden because it supposedly attracts lots of bug life (they like the flowers).

Wild celery is a BST food source native to Canada.

Queen Anne's Lace is from Europe.

Here is a link that might be useful: USDA profile for QAL - Native status =

I see Golden Alexanders did make the FAQ page here.

Here is a link that might be useful: What host plants are grown to feed caterpillars?

Yes, I have Golden Alexanders in my garden. They used them a lot last year, but not this year. I like them because they do bloom very early (spring) and provide a nectar source as well.

I think I had so much fennel in the yard this year, that the BSTs overlooked almost all of my other BST host plants. I'll be curious to see what happens this year. I had BSTs pretty much all season long in 2008, and a number of GSTs on the Rue.

You can do a google search of "apiaceae species" and see what is on the list of plants that may be native or non-native. I think people have mentioned them consuming carrot tops and celery tops and both are in that family.

Susan