Buckeye butterfly visits the butterfly bush

Buckeye butterfly on the butterfly bush

The butterfly bush seedling that I bought from Annie's Annuals is doing well in its container pot and is now about 14 inches tall. Although the butterfly bush buddleia is not a native plant, it does provide nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds.

I have never seen a buckeye butterfly junonia coenia in the garden, so you can imagine how delighted I was to observe this buckeye butterfly feeding on a flower head of the butterfly bush in the backyard. Its wings are a little raggedy in some parts, but those eye spots are still very striking.

The butterfly bush can be invasive, spreading its seeds, so I make sure to cut off the dried flower heads. We're looking forward to seeing more butterflies visit!