Buckeye Butterfly, Junonia coenia

The Buckeye Butterfly is one I always look forward to seeing in late-spring through early summer because of its colorful, easy-to-recognize markings. It is often seen resting on the ground, its brown color blending well to the soil. It isn't afraid of opening its wings to show its colorful markings. When the buckeye's wings are closed, it is drab and easily overlooked. It opens its wings frequently at rest or wile feeding, so you can easily get a good glimpse or its colorfully eye spots.

Larval food sources used by the Buckeye Butterfly Larva

The caterpillars feed on plantain species such as Plantago lanceolata and P. erecta,(weeds) and also on Monkey flower, Mimulus species and Snapdragon, Antirrhinum species.

Nectar sources in your garden used by the adult Buckeye Butterfly

They really like Rabbitbrush, as do many other butterflies. Rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus is a large desert shrub with bright showy yellow flowers and lite green stems. Leaves are very small and inconspicuous. It is very drought tolerant.

The adult Buckeye butterflies can be found visiting the flowers of Black Sage, Salvia mellifera, Pozo blue Sage, Salvia, “Pozo Blue,” Chia, Salvia columbariae. As well as Marsh Baccharis, Baccharis douglassii.