Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Common Buckeye Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Junonia coernia
Description: Black with lateral white stripes,
orange patches and branched spines.
Chrysalis: Mottled pale brown or dark gray
brown. Rows of short conical projections on abdomen.
Host Plants: Blue toadflax (Linaria canadensis),
American plantain, Black seeded plantain or Red stalked plantain (Plantago rugelii), Wild
petunia ( Ruellia humilis), Blue vervain (Verbena hastata), Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) and
False foxgloves (Agalinis species or Gerardia species)
Habitat: Open, dry fields, roadsides, trails, and waste
areas.
Comments: The Common Buckeye is not a common
butterfly in Wisconsin, but as an immigrant from farther south, it makes it to Wisconsin on a fairly
regular basis and is always a pleasure to see.