Plus Host Plants and Nectar Plants

Texas is great state for butterfly identification, with hundreds of species of butterflies to enjoy. This guide will cover the easiest most common ones to spot in gardens, fields, and parks. It will highlight the five most abundant butterflies in Texas, what they look like, and the plants they love — perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to attract these beauties to their garden.

1. Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

• Appearance: Bright orange wings with black veins and white spots along edges.

• Where to Find Them: Open fields, gardens, along migratory routes.

• Host Plants (for Caterpillars): Milkweed species only.

• Nectar Plants (for Adults): Lantana, goldenrod, asters.

2. Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)

• Appearance: Bright orange on top with black spots; silvery spots underneath.

• Where to Find Them: Gardens, open areas, sunny roadsides.

• Host Plants: Passionflower vines.

• Nectar Plants: Lantana, verbena, zinnias.

3. Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

• Appearance: Black wings with yellow spots; tails on hind wings.

• Where to Find Them: Gardens, meadows, fields.

• Host Plants: Parsley, dill, fennel, carrot species.

• Nectar Plants: Coneflowers, lantana, verbena.

4. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

• Appearance: Large yellow wings with black tiger stripes; tails on hind wings.

• Where to Find: Them Wooded areas, suburban gardens.

• Host Plants: Black cherry tree, ash tree, hop tree, willow trees, American elm tree.

• Nectar Plants: Lantana, bee balm, blazing star.

5. Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

• Appearance: Brown wings with orange bars and prominent eyespots.

• Where to Find Them: Open areas, roadsides, gardens.

• Host Plants: Plantains (plantago spp.), snapdragons (antirrhinum), toadflax (linaria spp.), frogfruit.

• Nectar Plants: Asters, lantana, zinnias.

Conclusion

By planting the right host plants and nectar plants, you can attract these common butterflies to your garden and enjoy watching them up close. Which of these butterflies have you spotted in your yard?

If you are new to butterfly gardening, the Butterfly Garden Cheat Sheet outlines the basic conditions butterflies look for when choosing a garden.

Related Guides:

The Complete Guide to Butterfly Gardening: How to Attract, Feed, and Protect Butterflies All Year

Common Mistakes That Scare Butterflies Away: How to Keep Your Garden Butterfly-Friendly

How to Attract Monarch Butterflies to Your Garden

Photo credits: Monarch butterfly – Chris O’Donoghue, Eastern tiger swallowtail and Common buckeye butterfly – Thomas Elliott