The key to finding a caterpillar is to learn the different types of plants in your area, where female butterflies like to lay eggs, also called "host" plants. Once you are able to identify some host plants, you can search the leaves and flowers of these plants to find caterpillars native to your region.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Identify Common Host Plants
Step 1. Look for milkweed plants in dry places and areas
The euphobia plant is home to the monarch butterfly species, which is one of the most common butterfly species in North America. Euphobia plants typically thrive in dry climates and can be found in fields and along roads. The leaves are usually long and oval in shape, and contain small, flat, reddish-brown seeds that sprout in silky filaments at one end.
Step 2. Look for benzoin plants in wet woods and swamps
Benzoin is a small, dark green shrub that features oval leaves and serves as a host plant for the butterfly species Papilio troilus and Papilio glaucus. The plant usually grows under large trees located in forests and woodlands, and has shiny red berries.
Step 3. Look for papaya trees in any wetland throughout eastern North America
Papaya trees are host plants for Protographium marcellus, and can generally be found throughout the eastern region of North America near inlets, gorges and steep slopes. Papaya has very dense foliage and produces large pale fruits of the same name.
Step 4. Look for herb plants such as dill, parsley, and fennel
Papilio polyxenes is attracted to herb plants like these, it can be helpful to grow herbs in your home to find caterpillars. Dill, parsley, and fennel are known to grow wild all over North America, and can also be purchased at most garden nurseries.
Step 5. Look for walnut trees in wet shores throughout North America
Walnut trees are the host plant for the Actias luna, which is one of the largest moths in North America. Walnut trees are usually found near gorges and streams, and grow in abundance throughout the state of California. Walnuts can grow up to 70 feet and tend to have branches that grow outward into a prominent, rounded upward-facing canopy.
Method 2 of 2: Searching for Caterpillars
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the types of caterpillars generally found in your region
There are about 20,000 different species of butterflies in the world, and about 725 live in North America.
To learn more about the types of butterflies and caterpillars that reside in your area, or visit your state's official website, go to a site or office that deals with the protection of flora and fauna, or visit your local library
Step 2. Examine the photos of the caterpillars so you know what they look like and how to identify them
The caterpillars are all different from each other depending on their species, they can be hairy, green or brightly colored
Step 3. Go to a nearby area where host plants for butterflies and moths grow
It could be fields, forests, woods, your backyard or even your local nursery.
Step 4. Look for caterpillar eggs of butterflies and moths on the leaves and flowers of host plants
Step 5. Examine the leaves to see if there are any holes in the center or on the edges
Caterpillars will often feed on the leaves and leave round chewing marks.
Look for leaves on the back that contain holes. In many cases, the caterpillars will be hiding and chewing on the underside of the leaves
Step 6. Stand under the trees and shrubs that serve as host plants and look up for caterpillars
Sometimes the caterpillars will hang on the undersides of leaves and branches or hang from silk threads, especially if they feel endangered.
Advice
- If you have a hard time locating host plants for some species of wild butterflies and moths, try to buy the plants from a nursery and plant them in your garden. In many cases, butterfly species that are native to your region will flock to host plants to lay their eggs.
- To increase the amount of butterflies and moths in your yard or garden, try to plant nectar plants as well as host plants. Nectar plants are known to produce fluid and sweet substances that butterflies normally feed on. Examples of nectar plants are azaleas, Rudbeckia bristly, lilacs, daisies and other types of plants that you can find in your region.
