If you’re ever out gardening and you come across a caterpillar, you may think, what a pest! But that very caterpillar, among the various other forms of critters in your yard are vital to the local ecosystem and depend heavily on your yard’s available native plants.
A little nibble here and there on your plants is a sign you are aiding the ecosystem by providing food for some of the best plant energy converters—caterpillars. The plants they choose have the capacity to transfer the plant’s energy into food via photosynthesis. The more caterpillars to eat it up, the better, as they provide a nutritious snack to birds and other wildlife, strengthening the food web.
By choosing plants native to the west coast, or your local area, you are not only choosing the more sustainable, drought-tolerant option, plants that allow caterpillars to thrive, thus enhancing the habitat at large. According to this helpful article, some of the most caterpillar-friendly native species are Quercus (Oaks), Salix (Willows), Populus (Cottonwoods), and Pinus (Pines), especially when they are local to your area. As for perennials, Helianthus californica (Sunflowers), Eriogonum (Wild Buckwheats), and Asteraceae (Asters) are great choices.
By planting plants that serve as caterpillar favorite food, you are creating an environment that thrives, boosting your health and the health of those around you. To discover the best plant options in your community, partner with a Landscape Architect or Designer.