The Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), originating in Asia, is a non-native species popular for its long summer bloom. Its flowers produce some nectar, attracting general pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. While the bright colors may catch a butterfly’s eye, Crepe Myrtles are not a preferred or primary food source for most North American butterflies. They offer marginal appeal to adults and virtually no support for the critical early stages of the butterfly life cycle.
Crepe Myrtles and the Butterfly Life Cycle
Understanding the relationship between a plant and a butterfly requires separating the plant’s role into two distinct categories: nectar source and host plant. Nectar sources, such as the Crepe Myrtle flower, provide the sugary fuel that adult butterflies use for flight and reproduction.
A host plant is the specific foliage on which a butterfly lays its eggs, and which the resulting caterpillar must eat to survive. Butterflies are highly host-specific, feeding only on a narrow range of plants that contain the correct chemical compounds for their development. Because the Crepe Myrtle is an introduced species, it does not serve as the host plant for any native butterfly or moth in North America. While an adult butterfly may occasionally sip nectar, the tree cannot support the next generation of life.
Why Crepe Myrtles Have Limited Butterfly Appeal
Several factors combine to make the Crepe Myrtle less appealing compared to native nectar flowers. Its non-native status means it is unrecognized by local insect populations as a necessary food source for their young. Beyond its lack of host value, the physical structure of the flowers presents a challenge for adult butterflies.
Crepe Myrtle flowers are often tightly packed into dense panicles, and their ruffled petals can make it difficult for butterflies with large wingspans to land. This structure also hinders easy access to the small amounts of nectar at the flower base. Additionally, modern horticultural practices have focused on breeding Crepe Myrtles for flower color and extended bloom time. This selective breeding often results in cultivated varieties that produce less pollen and nectar compared to their wild counterparts.
The plant offers a sugary “dessert” but not the rich, concentrated fuel that high-energy fliers prefer. While butterflies may visit when other flowers are scarce during mid-to-late summer heat, they generally seek out plants with more readily available and nutrient-dense nectar sources.
Strategies for Attracting Butterflies to Your Yard
Gardeners who enjoy their Crepe Myrtles can boost butterfly activity by incorporating specific companion plants that fill the biological gaps. The most effective strategy is to plant native host plants near the tree to provide a food source for caterpillars.
Host Plants
For example, planting Milkweed (Asclepias) will draw Monarchs. Herbs like fennel or parsley can also host Black Swallowtails.
Nectar Sources
To provide abundant nectar for adult butterflies, select plants with open flower structures that bloom continuously through the summer. Placing a variety of high-value plants in sunny, open groups creates a visible target that adult butterflies recognize instantly. Excellent high-nectar, sun-loving additions include:
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Salvia varieties
- True Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Maintaining a butterfly-friendly environment also involves avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides, which harm caterpillars and adult insects. Provide a shallow water source or muddy patch for minerals.