This checklist of larval host plants and nectar plants of Indian butterflies is continually updated as new records are contributed, or missing hosts are pointed out to us. It is arranged alphabetically by family, genus and species names for easy reference. We encourage you to contribute your observations to this page and to the growing and continually updated, very valuable database of plant-butterfly associations. Contributors who contribute individual records will be given as a reference for those records, and people who contribute in a major way, such as by contributing new records on an order of dozens of records or other kinds of large dataset, will be added as authors of the entire page at the bottom of this page.
KINGDOM PLANTAE
FAMILY ACANTHACEAE
- Acanthus ilicifolius – Holly Mangrove
- Andrographis paniculata – Green Chiretta
- Andrographis serpyllifolia – Roundleaf Chiretta
- Asystasia dalzelliana – Violet Asystasia
- Asystasia gangetica – Ganges Primrose
- Barleria buxifolia – Box-Leaved Barleria
- Barleria cristata – Philippine Violet
- Barleria cuspidata – Spiny Barleria
- Barleria prionitis – Kuranta, Porcupine Flower
- Barleria terminalis – Blue Barleria
- Cynarospermum asperrimum – Hill Blepharis (syn. Blepharis asperrima)
- Dicliptera paniculata – Panicled Foldwing (syn. Peristrophe paniculata)
- Ecbolium ligustrinum – Green Shrimp Plant
- Eranthemum roseum – Rosy Eranthemum
- Graptophyllum pictum – Caricature Plant
- Hygrophila auriculata – Marsh Barbel
- Hygrophila ringens – Erect Hygrophila
- Hygrophila serpyllum – Marsh Carpet
- Justicia adhatoda – Adulsa, Malabar Nut
- Justicia gendarussa – Willow-Leaf Justicia
- Justicia neesii – Small Flowered Justicia (syn. Rostellularia crinita)
- Justicia procumbens – Water Willow
- Lepidagathis cuspidata – Pointed-Leaf Lepidagathis
- Lepidagathis keralensis – Kerala Lepidagathis
- Nicoteba betonica – Squirrel Tail (syn. Justicia betonica)
- Odontonema tubaeforme – Firespike
- Phaulopsis dorsiflora – Himalayan Ruellia
- Ruellia prostrata – Bell Weed (syn. Dipteracanthus prostratus)
- Ruellia simplex – Desert Petunia
- Ruellia tuberosa – Minnie Root
- Strobilanthes callosa – Karvi (syn. Carvia callosa)
- Strobilanthes ciliata – Lesser Kurinji (syn. Nilgirianthus ciliatus)
- Strobilanthes integrifolia – Entire-Leaf Coneflower
- Strobilanthes ixiocephala – Sky Blue Karvy (syn. Thelepaepale ixiocephala)
- Strobilanthes lanata – Woolly Coneflower
- Strobilanthes lupulina – Hop Coneflower
- Strobilanthes wightiana – Wight's Kurinji
- Thunbergia alata – Black-Eyed Susan Vine
- Thunbergia grandiflora – Bengal Clock vine
FAMILY ACHARIACEAE
- Hydnocarpus pentandrus – Chaulmoogra (syn. Hydnocarpus wightianus)
FAMILY AMARANTHACEAE
- Achyranthes aspera – Apamarga, Chaff-Flower
- Alternanthera ficoidea – Sanguinarea Joyweed
- Amaranthus spinosus – Spiny Amaranth
- Celosia argentea – Silver Cockscomb
- Cyathula prostrata – Pastureweed
- Digera muricata – False Amaranth
- Gomphrena globosa – Globe Amaranth
FAMILY AMARYLLIDACEAE
- Hymenocallis littoralis – Beach Spider Lily
FAMILY ANACARDIACEAE
- Anacardium occidentale – Cashew
- Buchanania cochinchinensis – Chironji (syn. B. lanzan)
- Lannea coromandelica – Indian Ash Tree
- Mangifera indica – Mango
FAMILY ANNONACEAE
- Annona glabra – Pond Apple
- Annona reticulata – Ramphal, Custard Apple
- Annona squamosa – Sitaphal, Sugar Apple
- Artabotrys hexapetalus – Hari Champa
- Cananga odorata – Ylang Ylang (syn. Uvaria odorata)
- Huberantha cerasoides – Cherry Ashoka (syn. Polyalthia cerasoides)
- Miliusa tomentosa – Hoom
- Monoon longifolium – False Ashoka (syn. Polyalthia longifolia)
- Polyalthia suberosa – Corky Debbar Tree
- Uvaria narum – South Indian Uvaria
FAMILY APOCYNACEAE
- Adenium obesum – Desert Rose
- Allamanda cathartica – Golden Trumpet
- Alstonia scholaris – Saptaparni
- Asclepias curassavica – Scarlet Milkweed
- Boucerosia umbellata – Umbelled Caralluma (syn. Caralluma umbellata)
- Calotropis gigantea – Crown Flower
- Calotropis procera – Rubber Bush
- Carissa carandas – Karonda
- Carissa spinarum – Wild Karonda
- Cascabela thevetia – Yellow Oleander (syn. Thevetia peruviana)
- Catharanthus roseus – Periwinkle (cultivars: 'Alba' and 'Hybrida')
- Ceropegia attenuata – Tender Ceropegia
- Ceropegia evansii – Evan's Ceropegia
- Ceropegia hirsuta – Hairy Ceropegia
- Ceropegia media – Medium Ceropegia
- Ceropegia vincifolia – Vinca-Leaved Ceropegia
- Cosmostigma cordatum – Green Milkweed Creeper (syn. C. racemosum)
- Cryptolepis dubia – Wax Leaved Climber (syn. C. buchananii)
- Cynanchum annularium – Ringed Swallow-Wort (syn. Holostemma ada-kodien & H. annulare)
- Gomphocarpus physocarpus – Balloon Plant
- Gymnema sylvestre – Gurmar
- Hemidesmus indicus – Indian Sarsaparilla
- Holarrhena pubescens – Kutaja (syn. H. antidysenterica)
- Ichnocarpus frutescens – Black Creeper
- Nerium oleander – Oleander
- Oxystelma esculentum – Rosy Milkweed Vine
- Parsonsia alboflavescens – Spiral-Vined Silkpod
- Pergularia daemia – Hair Knot Plant
- Tabernaemontana divaricata – Pinwheel Flower
- Vallaris solanacea – Bread Flower
- Vincetoxicum dalzellii – Dalzell's Ipecac (syn. Tylophora dalzellii)
- Vincetoxicum indicum – Indian Ipecac (syn. Tylophora indica)
- Wattakaka volubilis – Green Wax Flower (syn. Dregea volubilis)
- Wrightia tinctoria – Sveta Kutaja
FAMILY ARALIACEAE
- Schefflera sp. – Schefflera
- Schefflera venulosa – Schefflera Vine
FAMILY ARECACEAE
- Areca catechu – Supari, Betel Palm
- Arenga wightii – Wight's Sago Palm
- Borassus flabellifer – Toddy Palm
- Calamus sp. – Rattan
- Calamus rotang – Common Rattan
- Caryota mitis – Clustering Fishtail Palm
- Caryota urens – Fishtail Palm
- Cocos nucifera – Coconut
- Corypha umbraculifera – Talipot Palm
- Corypha utan – Buri Palm
- Cyrtostachys renda – Sealing Wax Palm
- Dypsis lutescens – Golden Cane Palm
- Dypsis madagascariensis – Lucuba Palm
- Elaeis guineensis – Oil Palm
- Hyophorbe lagenicaulis – Bottle Palm
- Latania lontaroides – Red Latan Palm
- Licuala grandis – Ruffled Fan Palm
- Livistona chinensis – Chinese Fan Palm
- Phoenix sylvestris – Wild Date Palm
- Pritchardia pacifica – Fiji Fan Palm
- Ptychosperma macarthurii – Macarthur Palm
- Rhapis excelsa – Lady Palm
- Rhapis humilis – Slender Lady Palm (syn. R. multifida)
- Roystonea regia – Royal Palm
- Saribus rotundifolius – Footstool Palm (syn. Livistona rotundifolia)
- Syagrus romanzoffiana – Queen Palm (syn. Arecastrum romanzoffianum)
- Washingtonia filifera – California Fan Palm
- Wodyetia bifurcata – Foxtail Palm
FAMILY ARISTOLOCHIACEAE
- Aristolochia acuminata – Tapering-Leaf Birthwort (syn. A. tagala)
- Aristolochia indica – Indian Birthwort
- Aristolochia littoralis – Dutchman's Pipe
- Thottea siliquosa – Chakrani
- Thottea sivarajanii – Sivarajan's Thottea
FAMILY ASPARAGACEAE
- Asparagus dumosus – Bushy Asparagus
FAMILY ASTERACEAE
- Acmella ciliata – Fringed Pod Toothache Plant
- Bidens pilosa – Beggar Tick
- Centratherum punctatum – Brazilian Button Flower
- Chromolaena odorata – Devil Weed
- Cosmos caudatus – Wild Cosmos
- Cosmos sulphureus – Cosmos
- Cyathocline purpurea – Gangotra
- Echinops echinatus – Indian Globe Thistle
- Erigeron emodi – Himalayan Daisy
- Lagascea mollis – Silk Leaf
- Mikania micrantha – Bitter Vine
- Phyllocephalum scabridum – Purple Heads
- Senecio bombayensis – Sonki
- Sphagneticola trilobata – Wedelia (syn. Wedelia trilobata)
- Tagetes erecta – Marigold (Cultivars: 'Signet')
- Tithonia diversifolia – Tree Marigold
- Tithonia rotundifolia – Red Sunflower
- Tricholepis glaberrima – Smooth Camel Thistle
- Tridax procumbens – Tridax Daisy
- Zinnia peruviana – Peruvian Zinnia (syn. Chrysogonum peruvianum)
FAMILY BALSAMINACEAE
- Impatiens balsamina – Garden Balsam
- Impatiens minor – Lesser Balsam
FAMILY BERBERIDACEAE
- Berberis sp. – Barberry
FAMILY BIXACEAE
- Bixa orellana – Sinduri, Achiot
FAMILY BORAGINACEAE
- Coldenia procumbens – Creeping Coldenia
- Cordia dichotoma – Indian Cherry
- Ehretia aspera – Ajan Tree (syn. E. laevis)
- Heliotropium indicum – Indian Heliotrope
- Heliotropium marifolium – Seaforth Heliotrope
- Varronia curassavica – Tropical Black Sage
FAMILY BRASSICACEAE
- Brassica oleracea – Cabbage, Cauliflower
- Raphanus raphanistrum – Radish
- Sinapis arvensis – Wild Mustard
- Sisymbrium sp. – Rocket
- Thlaspi arvense – Field Penny-Cress
FAMILY CANNABACEAE
- Cannabis sativa – Bhang, Indian Hemp
- Trema orientalis – Indian Charcoal Tree
FAMILY CAPPARACEAE
- Cadaba fruticosa – Indian Cadaba
- Capparis decidua – Karira, Bare Caper
- Capparis divaricata – Spreading Caper
- Capparis moonii – Large Caper
- Capparis sabiifolia – Sabia-Leaved Caper
- Capparis sepiaria – Wild Caper Bush
- Capparis spinosa – Caper Bush
- Capparis tenera – Soft Caper
- Capparis zeylanica – Ceylon Caper
- Crateva magna – Varuna, Large Garlic Pear
- Crateva religiosa – Sacred Garlic Pear
- Maerua oblongifolia – Desert Caper
FAMILY CAPRIFOLIACEAE
- Lonicera quinquelocularis – Translucent Honeysuckle
FAMILY CELASTRACEAE
- Gymnosporia senegalensis – Red Spike-thorn
- Salacia fruticosa – Woody Salacia
FAMILY CLEOMACEAE
- Cleome rutidosperma – Fringed Spider Flower
- Cleome viscosa – Asian Spider Flower
FAMILY CLUSIACEAE
- Garcinia gummi-gutta – Malabar Tamarind
FAMILY COMBRETACEAE
- Getonia floribunda – Paper Flower Climber (syn. Calycopteris floribunda)
- Combretum sp. – Combretum
- Combretum indicum – Rangoon Creeper (syn. Quisqualis indica)
- Combretum ovalifolium – Piluki (syn. C. albidum)
- Terminalia arjuna – Arjuna
- Terminalia bellirica – Baheda, Bibhitaka
- Terminalia catappa – Indian Almond
- Terminalia elliptica – Crocodile Bark Tree
- Terminalia paniculata – Kindal
FAMILY COMMELINACEAE
- Commelina sp. – Dayflower
- Murdannia semiteres – Panicled Dewflower
FAMILY CONNARACEAE
- Connarus paniculatus – Panicled Connarus
- Connarus wightii – Wight's Connarus
FAMILY CONVOLVULACEAE
- Ipomoea hederifolia – Scarlet Morning Glory
FAMILY CORIARIACEAE
- Coriaria nepalensis – Masuri Berry
FAMILY CRASSULACEAE
- Kalanchoe sp. – Kalanchoe
- Kalanchoe blossfeldiana – Florist Kalanchoe, Flaming Katy
- Kalanchoe daigremontiana – Alligator Plant, Mother of Thousands
- Kalanchoe pinnata – Wild Kalanchoe, Cathedral Bells
- Kalanchoe prolifera – Blooming Boxes
FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE
- Benincasa hispida – Wax Gourd
FAMILY CYCADACEAE
- Cycas circinalis – Queen Sago Palm
- Cycas pectinata – Assam Sago Palm
- Cycas revoluta – Sago Palm
- Cycas rumphii – Ceylon Sago Palm
FAMILY CYPERACEAE
- Cyperus alternifolius – Umbrella Palm
FAMILY DIOSCOREACEAE
- Dioscorea alata – Purple Yam
- Dioscorea pentaphylla – Five-leaf Yam
- Dioscorea wallichii – Wallich's Wild Yam
FAMILY DIPTEROCARPACEAE
- Hopea ponga – Thingam
- Shorea robusta – Sal
- Shorea roxburghii – Taloora Lac Tree
FAMILY EBENACEAE
- Diospyros malabarica – Gaub, Malabar Ebony
- Diospyros melanoxylon – Coromandel Ebony
- Diospyros montana – Bistendu, Bombay Ebony
FAMILY ELAEAGNACEAE
- Elaeagnus parvifolia – Autumn Olive
FAMILY ELAEOCARPACEAE
- Elaeocarpus angustifolius – Rudraksha (syn. E. ganitrus)
FAMILY ERIOCAULACEAE - Eriocaulon sedgwickii – Spherical Pipewort
- Eriocaulon ratnagiricum – Ratnagiri Pipewort
FAMILY EUPHORBIACEAE
- Codiaeum variegatum – Variegated Croton
- Dalechampia scandens – Spurge-Creeper
- Euphorbia milii – Crown of Thorns
- Euphorbia pulcherrima – Poinsettia
- Homonoia riparia – Willow-Leaved Water Croton
- Jatropha gossypifolia – Bellyache Bush
- Jatropha integerrima – Peregrina
- Jatropha podagrica – Buddha Belly Plant
- Macaranga peltata – Chandada
- Mallotus nudiflorus – False White Teak (syn. Trevia nudiflora)
- Mallotus philippensis – Kamala
- Mallotus polycarpus – Many-Fruited Mallotus (syn. Trewia nudiflora var. polycarpa)
- Mallotus repandus – Triangular-Leaf Mallotus
- Ricinus communis – Castor Oil Plant
- Tragia involucrata – Indian Stinging Nettle
- Tragia plukenetii – Cannabis Leaf Nettle
- Tragia praetervisa – Bypassed Stinging Nettle
FAMILY FABACEAE
- Abrus precatorius – Gunja, Jequirity Bean
- Acacia auriculiformis – Earleaf Acacia
- Adenanthera pavonina – Red Bead Tree
- Aeschynomene americana – Shyleaf, American Jointvetch
- Aeschynomene indica – Indian Jointvetch
- Aganope thyrsiflora – East Himalayan Derris
- Albizia amara – Krishna Shirish, Oil Cake Tree
- Albizia chinensis – Chinese Albizia
- Albizia julibrissin – Persian Silk Tree
- Albizia lebbeck – Shirish
- Albizia odoratissima – Black Shirish, Ceylon Rosewood
- Albizia procera – White Shirish
- Alysicarpus longifolius – Longleaf Alyce Clover
- Alysicarpus vaginalis – Alyce Clover
- Astragalus rhizanthus – Root-Flower Milk-Vetch
- Bauhinia acuminata – White Orchid Tree
- Bauhinia phoenicea – Scarlet Bauhinia
- Bauhinia purpurea – Purple Orchid Tree
- Bauhinia racemosa – Sona Tree, Bidi Leaf Tree
- Bauhinia variegata – Kachnar, Orchid Tree
- Biancaea sappan – Sappanwood (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)
- Butea monosperma – Palash, Flame of the Forest
- Butea superba – Palash Climber
- Caesalpinia pulcherrima – Peacock Flower
- Cajanus cajan – Arhar, Tur, Red Gram, Pigeon Pea
- Calliandra haematocephala – Powder Puff
- Canavalia gladiata – Sword Bean
- Cassia fistula – Amaltas, Golden Shower Tree
- Cassia renigera – Burmese Pink Cassia
- Cassia roxburghii – Red Cassia
- Centrosema pubescens – Centro Butterfly Pea
- Chamaecrista kleinii – Klein's Sensitive Pea
- Chamaecrista mimosoides – Feather-Leaved Cassia
- Chamaecrista pumila – Dwarf Cassia
- Crotalaria filipes – Creeping Hemp
- Crotalaria hebecarpa – Fuzzy Fruited Rattlepod
- Crotalaria pallida – Smooth Rattlepod
- Crotalaria retusa – Rattleweed
- Crotalaria verrucosa – Blue Rattlepod
- Cullen corylifolium – Babchi, Scurfy Pea (syn. Psoralea corylifolia)
- Dalbergia lanceolaria – Takoli
- Dalbergia latifolia – Black Shisham, Black Rosewood
- Dalbergia sissoo – Shisham, Indian Rosewood
- Delonix regia – Gulmohar, Royal Poinciana
- Dendrolobium triangulare – Triangular Horse Bush (syn. Desmodium triangulare)
- Derris canarensis – Kanara Derris
- Derris heyneana – Climbing Derris
- Derris trifoliata – Common Derris
- Dichrostachys cinerea – Sickle Bush
- Entada rheedii – Sea Bean, African Dream Herb
- Erythrina variegata – Indian Coral Tree
- Flemingia strobilifera – Wild Hops
- Gliricidia sepium – Gliricidia, Quickstick
- Grona heterocarpos – Asian Tick Trefoil (syn. Desmodium heterocarpon)
- Grona heterophylla – Variable-leaf Tick Trefoil (syn. Desmodium heterophyllum)
- Grona triflora – Creeping Tick Trefoil (syn. Desmodium triflorum)
- Guilandina bonduc – Fever Nut (syn. Caesalpinia bonduc)
- Hultholia mimosoides – Hultholia (syn. Caesalpinia mimosoides)
- Indigofera heterantha – Himalayan Indigo
- Indigofera linifolia – Narrowleaf Indigo
- Indigofera suffruticosa – Anil Indigo
- Indigofera trifoliata – Three-Leaf Indigo
- Lablab purpureus – Lablab Bean
- Leucaena leucocephala – Horse Tamarind
- Libidibia coriaria – Divi Divi (syn. Caesalpinia coriaria)
- Lotus corniculatus – Common Birdsfoot Trefoil
- Macroptilium lathyroides – Phasey Bean
- Mezoneuron cucullatum – Sahyadri Thorn
- Millettia pachycarpa – Thick-Fruit Pongam Creeper
- Mimosa hamata – Hooked Mimosa
- Mimosa pudica – Touch Me Not, Sensitive Plant
- Moullava spicata – Wakeri
- Mucuna pruriens – Velvet Bean
- Paracalyx scariosus – Indian Husk-Pea
- Parochetus communis – Blue Oxalis
- Peltophorum pterocarpum – Copperpod
- Phanera vahlii – Bauhinia Climber (syn. Bauhinia vahlii)
- Pisum sativum – Pea
- Pithecellobium dulce – Madras Thorn, Manila Tamarind
- Pleurolobus gangeticus – Salparni, Sal Leaved Desmodium (syn. Desmodium gangeticum)
- Pongamia pinnata – Karanj, Pongam (syn. Millettia pinnata)
- Prosopis juliflora – Algaroba, Mesquite
- Pseudarthria viscida – Sticky Desmodium
- Pterocarpus marsupium – Asana, Bijaka, Indian Kino Tree
- Robinia pseudoacacia – Black Locust, False Acacia
- Samanea saman – Rain Tree (syn. Albizia saman)
- Saraca asoca – Ashoka
- Senegalia catechu – Khair, Black Cutch Tree (syn. Acacia catechu)
- Senegalia polyacantha – White Thorn (syn. Acacia polyacantha & A. suma)
- Senegalia rugata – Shikakai, Soap-Pod (syn. Acacia concinna & A. sinuata)
- Senegalia torta – Twisted Acacia (syn. Acacia torta)
- Senna alata – Candle Bush
- Senna auriculata – Tanner's Cassia
- Senna montana – Mountain Cassia
- Senna occidentalis – Coffee Senna
- Senna siamea – Siamese Cassia
- Senna tora – Tora, Sickle Senna
- Sesbania bispinosa – Prickly Sesban
- Sesbania grandiflora – Agati, Vegetable Hummingbird
- Sesbania sesban – Common Sesban
- Smithia sensitiva – Sensitive Smithia
- Stylosanthes hamata – Caribbean Stylo
- Tamarindus indica – Tamarind
- Tephrosia purpurea – Common Tephrosia
- Trifolium repens – White Clover
- Trigonella emodi – Himalayan Fenugreek
- Vachellia farnesiana – Sweet Acacia (syn. Acacia farnesiana)
- Vachellia leucophloea – White Bark Acacia (syn. Acacia leucophloea)
- Vachellia nilotica – Babul, Thorny Acacia (syn. Acacia nilotica)
- Vigna radiata – Mung Bean, Green Gram
- Vigna unguiculata – Cowpea, Black-eyed Pea
- Vigna vexillata – Zombi Pea
- Xylia xylocarpa – Jamba, Burma Ironwood
- Zornia diphylla – Two-Leaf Zornia
FAMILY GENTIANACEAE
- Enicostema axillare – Indian Whitehead (syn. E. littorale)
- Fagraea racemosa – False Coffee Tree
FAMILY ICACINACEAE
- Mappia nimmoniana – Ghanera, Fetid Holly (syn. Nothapodytes nimmoniana)
FAMILY IRIDACEAE
- Iris domestica – Leopard Lily (syn. Belamcanda chinensis)
- Trimezia gracilis – Walking Iris (syn. Neomarica gracilis)
FAMILY JUGLANDACEAE
- Juglans regia – Walnut
FAMILY LAMIACEAE
- Anisomeles heyneana – Western Hill Catmint
- Clerodendrum infortunatum – Bhant, Hill Glory Bower
- Clerodendrum paniculatum – Pagoda Flower
- Clerodendrum thomsoniae – Bleeding-Heart Vine
- Gmelina arborea – Gambhari
- Isodon coetsa – Java Isodon
- Leucas aspera – Common Leucas
- Leucas zeylanica – Ceylon Leucas
- Orthosiphon thymiflorus – Thyme Java Tea
- Pogostemon sp. – Pogostemon
- Rotheca serrata – Bharangi, Blue Fountain Bush (syn. Clerodendrum serratum)
- Tectona grandis – Teak
- Thymus linearis – Himalayan Thyme
- Volkameria inermis – Glory Bower (syn. Clerodendrum inerme)
FAMILY LAURACEAE
- Cinnamomum camphora – Kapur, Camphor
- Cinnamomum tamala – Tejpat, Indian Bay Leaf
- Cinnamomum verum – Dalchini, Cinnamon
- Litsea glutinosa – Soft Bollygum (syn. L. sebifera)
- Litsea ligustrina – Deccan Litsea (syn. L. deccanensis & L. quinqueflora)
- Machilus glaucescens – Large-Flowered Bay Tree (syn. Persea macrantha)
FAMILY LECYTHIDACEAE
- Barringtonia acutangula – Samudraphal, Barringtonia
- Careya arborea – Kumbhi, Wild Guava
FAMILY LINDERNIACEAE
- Bonnaya ciliata – Fringed False Pimpernel (syn. Lindernia ciliata)
FAMILY LOGANIACEAE
- Strychnos nux-vomica – Nux Vomica, Strychnine Tree
FAMILY LORANTHACEAE
- Dendrophthoe falcata – Honey Suckle Mistletoe
- Scurrula ferruginea – Rusty-Leaf Mistletoe
- Taxillus cuneatus – Wedge-Leaf Mistletoe
FAMILY LYTHRACEAE
- Cuphea hyssopifolia – Mexican Heather
- Duabanga grandiflora – Duabanga
- Lagerstroemia speciosa – Pride of India, Queen Crape Myrtle
- Punica granatum – Pomegranate
- Rotala fimbriata – Fringed Flower Rotala
- Woodfordia floribunda – Fire Flame Bush
FAMILY MAGNOLIACEAE
- Magnolia champaca – Champa (syn. Michelia champaca)
- Magnolia grandiflora – Magnolia
FAMILY MALPIGHIACEAE
- Hiptage benghalensis – Madhavi Lata, Hiptage
FAMILY MALVACEAE
- Abelmoschus esculentus – Bhindi, Okra, Lady Finger
- Abutilon indicum – Atibala, Indian Mallow
- Abutilon persicum – Persian Mallow
- Bombax ceiba – Shalmali, Red Cotton Tree
- Byttneria herbacea – Herbaceous Byttneria
- Ceiba pentandra – Kapok, White Cotton Tree
- Erinocarpus nimmonii – Jangli Bhendi
- Gossypium herbaceum – Levant Cotton
- Grewia asiatica – Phalsa
- Grewia serrulata – Serrulate-Leaf Grewia
- Grewia tenax – White Crossberry
- Grewia tiliifolia – Dhaman
- Grewia villosa – Hairy Crossberry
- Helicteres isora – Marodphali, Indian Screw Tree
- Hibiscus lobatus – Lobed Leaf Mallow
- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – China Rose, Chinese Hibiscus
- Hibiscus schizopetalus – Spider Hibiscus
- Hibiscus tilliaceus – Sea Hibiscus (syn. Talipariti tiliaceum)
- Kydia calycina – Kydia
- Malachra capitata – Brazil Jute
- Melochia corchorifolia – Chocolate Weed
- Microcos paniculata – Elm-Leaf Grewia (syn. Grewia nervosa)
- Pterospermum acerifolium – Kanak Champa
- Pterygota alata – Buddha Coconut (syn. Sterculia alata)
- Sida acuta – Common Wireweed
- Sida rhombifolia – Mahabala, Arrowleaf Sida
- Sterculia foetida – Java Olive
- Sterculia guttata – Spotted Sterculia
- Sterculia urens – Gum Karaya (syn. Kavalama urens)
- Sterculia villosa – Hairy Sterculia
- Theobroma cacao – Cocoa
- Thespesia populnea – Portia Tree, Indian Tulip Tree
- Triumfetta rhomboidea – Chinese Burr
- Urena lobata – Caesarweed
- Waltheria indica – Sleepy Morning
FAMILY MARANTACEAE
- Indianthus virgatus – White Indianthus (syn. Schumannianthus virgatus)
FAMILY MELASTOMATACEAE
- Melastoma malabathricum – Malabar Melastome
FAMILY MELIACEAE
- Azadirachta indica – Neem
- Dysoxylum gotadhora – Cup-Calyx White Cedar (syn. D. binectariferum)
- Toona ciliata – Toon
FAMILY MENISPERMACEAE
- Tinospora cordifolia – Giloy, Guduchi
FAMILY MOLLUGINACEAE
- Glinus lotoides – Lotus Sweetjuice
FAMILY MORACEAE
- Ficus arnottiana – Indian Rock Fig
- Ficus benghalensis – Banyan
- Ficus benjamina – Weeping Fig
- Ficus drupacea – Mysore Fig
- Ficus hispida – Hairy Fig
- Ficus microcarpa – Laurel Fig
- Ficus pumila – Climbing Fig
- Ficus racemosa – Cluster Fig
- Ficus religiosa – Pipal, Sacred Fig
- Ficus tinctoria – Dye Fig
- Morus indica – Indian Mulberry
- Streblus asper – Sand Paper Tree
FAMILY MUNTIGINACEAE
- Muntingia calabura – Jamaica Cherry
FAMILY MUSACEAE
- Ensete superbum – Rock Banana
- Musa × paradisiaca – Banana
FAMILY MYRTACEAE
- Corymbia citriodora – Lemon Scented Gum (syn. Eucalyptus citriodora)
- Melaleuca viminalis – Weeping Bottlebrush (syn. Callistemon viminalis)
- Psidium guajava – Guava
- Syzygium caryophyllatum – South Indian Plum
- Syzygium cumini – Jamun, Java Plum
FAMILY NYCTAGINACEAE
- Boerhavia diffusa – Punarnava, Red Spiderling
- Bougainvillea glabra – Bougainvillea
- Bougainvillea spectabilis – Great Bougainvillea
FAMILY OLACACEAE
- Olax imbricata – South Asian Olax
FAMILY OLEACEAE
- Chionanthus mala-elengi – Malabar Fringe Tree
- Jasminum auriculatum – Juhi, Indian Jasmine
- Jasminum multiflorum – Kunda, Star Jasmine
- Olea dioica – Rose Sandalwood
FAMILY ONAGRACEAE
- Oenothera rosea – Rosy Evening Primrose (syn. Xylopleurum roseum)
FAMILY ORCHIDACEAE
- Acampe praemorsa – Acampe Orchid
- Aerides maculosa – Fox Brush Orchid
- Cottonia peduncularis – Bee Orchid
- Rhynchostylis retusa – Foxtail Orchid
FAMILY OROBANCHACEAE
- Lindenbergia indica – Indian Lindenbergia
FAMILY OXALIDACEAE
- Averrhoa bilimbi – Bilimbi
- Averrhoa carambola – Star Fruit, Carambola
- Biophytum sensitivum – Little Tree Plant
- Oxalis corniculata – Creeping Wood Sorrel
FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE
- Argemone mexicana – Mexican Poppy
FAMILY PASSIFLORACEAE
- Adenia hondala – Hondala
- Passiflora edulis – Passion Fruit
- Passiflora foetida – Stinking Passion Flower
- Passiflora holosericea – Silky Passion Flower
- Passiflora incarnata – Krishna Kamal, Passion Flower
- Passiflora suberosa – Corky Passion Flower
- Turnera subulata – White Alder
- Turnera ulmifolia – Yellow Alder
FAMILY PHYLLANTHACEAE
- Antidesma montanum – Mountain Currant Tree
- Bridelia retusa – Spinous Bridelia Tree
- Bridelia stipularis – Climbing Bridelia (syn. B. scandens)
- Glochidion sp. – Cheese Trees
- Glochidion ellipticum – Assam Leaf-Flower
- Phyllanthus amarus – Bhui Amla, Carry Me Seed
- Phyllanthus virgatus – Virgate Leaf-Flower
FAMILY PLANTAGINACEAE
- Veronica anagallis-aquatica – Water Speedwell
FAMILY PLUMBAGINACEAE
- Plumbago auriculata – Plumbago, Cape Leadwort
- Plumbago indica – Lal Chitrak, Scarlet Plumbago
- Plumbago zeylanica – Chitrak, Wild Plumbago
FAMILY POACEAE
- Arundo donax – Giant Reed
- Axonopus compressus – Blanket Grass
- Bambusa bambos – Giant Thorny Bamboo (syn. B. arundinacea)
- Bambusa vulgaris – Golden Bamboo (syn. B. striata)
- Bambusa wamin – Buddha Belly Bamboo
- Brachiaria mutica – Para Grass
- Coix lacryma-jobi – Vaijayanti, Job's Tears
- Cymbopogon nardus – Citronella Grass
- Cynodon dactylon – Durva, Bermuda Grass
- Dendrocalamus giganteus – Giant Bamboo
- Echinochloa colona – Jungle Rice
- Eleusine indica – Indian Goosegrass
- Ochlandra sp. – Reed Bamboos
- Ochlandra travancorica – Travancore Reed Bamboo
- Oplismenus compositus – Running Mountain Grass
- Oryza sativa – Rice, Paddy
- Paspalidium geminatum – Egyptian Paspalidium
- Pennisetum glaucum – Bajra, Pearl Millet (syn. Cenchrus americanus)
- Pennisetum setaceum – Purple Fountain Grass (syn. Cenchrus setaceus)
- Saccharum officinarum – Sugarcane
- Saccharum spontaneum – Kans Grass
- Setaria sp. – Palm Grasses
- Setaria palmifolia – Palm Grass
- Setaria pumila – Yellow Foxtail
- Setaria verticillata – Bristly Foxtail
- Sorghum halepense – Johnson Grass
- Sorghum nitidum – Shining Sorghum
- Sorghum bicolor – Jowar, Great Millet (syn. S. vulgare)
- Triplopogon ramosissimus – Many-Branched Muraina Grass
- Zea mays – Corn, Maize
FAMILY POLYGONACACEAE
- Antigonon leptopus – Coral Vine
- Persicaria capitata – Pink Knotweed
- Persicaria chinensis – Chinese Knotweed
- Persicaria glabra – Denseflower Knotweed
- Polygonum sp. – Knotweeds
- Polygonum plebeium – Small Knotweed
- Rumex hastatus – Arrowleaf Dock
- Rumex nepalensis – Nepal Dock
FAMILY PORTULACACEAE
- Portulaca oleracea – Common Purslane
FAMILY PRIMULACEAE
- Ardisia solanacea – Shoebutton Ardisia
- Embelia tsjeriam-cottam – Malabar Vidanga
- Maesa sp. – Maesa
- Maesa indica – Wild Berry
FAMILY PUTRANJIVACEAE
- Putranjiva roxburghii – Putranjiva
FAMILY RHAMNACEAE
- Ventilago denticulata – Toothed-Leaf Red Creeper
- Ziziphus mauritiana – Ber, Indian Jujube
- Ziziphus nummularia – Jhar Beri, Wild Jujube
- Ziziphus oenopolia – Jackal Jujube
- Ziziphus rugosa – Chunna Berry, Wrinkled Jujube
- Ziziphus xylopyrus – Kath Ber
FAMILY ROSACEAE
- Malus pumila – Apple
- Prinsepia utilis – Himalayan Cherry Prinsepia
- Prunus sp. – Plums
- Prunus persica – Peach
- Pyrus communis – Pear
- Rubus ellipticus – Yellow Himalayan Raspberry
FAMILY RUBIACEAE
- Canthium coromandelicum – Coromandel Boxwood
- Catunaregam spinosa – Mountain Pomegranate
- Gardenia gummifera – Gummy Gardenia
- Haldina cordifolia – Haldu (syn. Adina cordifolia)
- Hamelia patens – Firebush
- Ixora brachiata – Khuri, Western Ghats Ixora
- Ixora casei – Giant Red Ixora
- Ixora chinensis – Chinese Ixora (Cultivar: 'Prince of Orange')
- Ixora coccinea – Red Ixora
- Ixora malabarica – Malabar Ixora
- Meyna laxiflora – Mayan
- Mitragyna parvifolia – Kadamba
- Mussaenda erythrophylla – Ashanti Blood, Red Flag Bush
- Mussaenda frondosa – Dhobi Tree, Wild Mussaenda
- Mussaenda philippica – Philippine Mussaenda (Cultivar: 'Aurorae')
- Neanotis subtilis – Foetid Starviolet (syn. N. foetida)
- Neolamarckia cadamba – Kadam, Burflower Tree
- Pavetta indica – Indian Pavetta
- Pentas lanceolata – Star Cluster
- Rubia sp. – Madder
- Rubia cordifolia – Manjishta, Indian Madder
- Spermacoce alata – Winged False Buttonweed
- Tamilnadia uliginosa – Divine Jasmine
- Wendlandia heynei – Tilak, Exserted Wendlandia (syn. W. exserta)
- Wendlandia thyrsoidea – Mountain Wendlandia
FAMILY RUTACEAE
- Aegle marmelos – Bel, Bilva
- Atalantia sp. – Atalantia
- Atalantia racemosa – Bombay Atalantia
- Chloroxylon swietenia – Ceylon Satinwood
- Citrus × aurantiifolia – Kaghzi Nimbu, Lime
- Citrus × aurantium – Narangi, Sweet Orange (syn. C. sinensis)
- Citrus × limetta – Mosambi, Sweet Lime
- Citrus × limon – Nimbu, Lemon
- Citrus maxima – Pomelo
- Citrus medica – Citron
- Citrus × reticulata – Santra, Orange
- Clausena sp. – Clausena
- Clausena anisata – Indian Horsewood (syn. C. dentata)
- Glycosmis pentaphylla – Gin Berry
- Limonia acidissima – Wood Apple
- Murraya koenigii – Curry Leaf (syn. Bergera koenigii)
- Murraya paniculata – Kamini, Orange Jasmine
- Ravenia spectabilis – Lemonia
- Toddalia asiatica – Orange Climber
- Zanthoxylum armatum – Winged Prickly Ash
- Zanthoxylum rhetsa – Tirphal, Teppal, Indian Prickly Ash
FAMILY SABIACEAE
- Meliosma pinnata – Indian Compound-Leaf Meliosma
- Meliosma simplicifolia – Simple-Leaved Meliosma
- Sabia lanceolata – Lanceleaf Sabia
FAMILY SALICACEAE
- Flacourtia indica – Governor's Plum
- Flacourtia inermis – Batoko Plum
- Flacourtia jangomas – Coffee Plum
- Flacourtia montana – Mountain Sweet Thorn
- Populus ciliata – Himalayan Poplar
- Populus deltoides – Eastern Cottonwood
- Salix tetrasperma – Indian Willow
FAMILY SALVADORACEAE
- Azima tetracantha – Bee Sting Bush
- Salvadora oleoides – Large Toothbrush Tree
- Salvadora persica – Miswak, Toothbrush Tree
FAMILY SANTALACEAE
- Santalum album – Chandan, Sandalwood
FAMILY SAPINDACEAE
- Allophylus cobbe – Titberry, Indian Allophylus
- Lepisanthes tetraphylla – Kurpa, Four-Leaved Soapnut
- Litchi chinensis – Lychee
- Sapindus emarginatus – Notched Leaf Soapnut
- Sapindus trifoliatus – Ritha, South India Soapnut (syn. S. laurifolius)
- Schleichera oleosa – Kusum
FAMILY SAPOTACEAE
- Manilkara zapota – Chiku, Sapota
- Mimusops elengi – Spanish Cherry
FAMILY SAXIFRAGACEAE
- Astilbe rivularis – River Astilbe
FAMILY SCROPHULARIACEAE
- Buddleja asiatica – Asian Butterfly Bush
- Buddleja macrostachya – Long Spiked Butterfly Bush
FAMILY SMILACACEAE
- Smilax ovalifolia – Oval-Leaf Smilax
- Smilax perfoliata – Pierced Leaf Smilax
- Smilax zeylanica – Ceylon Smilax
FAMILY THEACEAE
- Camellia sinensis – Tea
FAMILY THYMELAEACEAE
- Lasiosiphon glaucus – Fish Poison Bush (syn. Gnidia glauca)
FAMILY ULMACEAE
- Holoptelea integrifolia – Indian Elm
FAMILY URTICACEAE
- Boehmeria kamley – Lobed-Leaf False Nettle
- Boehmeria macrophylla – False Nettle
- Boehmeria penduliflora – Pendulous False Nettle
- Debregeasia saeneb – Himalayan Wild Rhea (syn. D. hypoleuca)
- Girardinia diversifolia – Himalayan Nettle
- Laportea interrupta – Hen's Nettle
- Urtica dioica – Stinging Nettle
- Urtica hyperborea – Northern Nettle
FAMILY VERBENACEAE
- Callicarpa tomentosa – Velvety Beauty Berry
- Citharexylum spinosum – Fiddlewood
- Duranta erecta – Duranta (Cultivar: 'Sapphire Showers')
- Lantana camara – Lantana
- Lantana montevidensis – Trailing Lantana
- Phyla nodiflora – Frog Fruit
- Premna serratifolia – Headache Tree
- Stachytarpheta cayennensis – Bluetop, Snakeweed
- Stachytarpheta jamaicensis – Blue Snakeweed, Blue Porterweed
- Stachytarpheta mutabilis – Pink Snakeweed
- Vitex negundo – Nirgundi, Chinese Chaste Tree
FAMILY VIOLACEAE
- Pigea enneasperma – Spade Flower (syn. Hybanthus enneaspermus)
- Viola sp. – Violets
- Viola pilosa – Smooth-Leaf White Violet
FAMILY VITACEAE
- Causonis trifolia – Three-leaf Cayratia (syn. Cayratia trifolia)
- Leea asiatica – Asiatic Leea
- Leea indica – Bandicoot Berry
- Leea macrophylla – Large-Leaf Leea
FAMILY ZINGIBERACEAE
- Alpinia calcarata – Snap Ginger
- Alpinia purpurata – Red Ginger
- Alpinia zerumbet – Shell Ginger
- Curcuma amada – Mango Ginger
- Curcuma caesia – Black Turmeric
- Curcuma longa – Haldi, Turmeric
- Curcuma pseudomontana – Hill Turmeric
- Elettaria cardamomum – Cardamom
- Hedychium sp. – Ginger Lily
- Hedychium coronarium – White Ginger Lily
- Hellenia speciosa – Crepe Ginger
- Zingiber montanum – Cassumunar Ginger
- Zingiber nimmonii – Curved-Stem Ginger
FAMILY ZYGOPHYLLACEAE
- Tribulus terrestris – Gokharu, Puncture Vine, Caltrop
KEY REFERENCES:
Nitin, R., V. C. Balakrishnan, P. V. Churi, S. Kalesh, S. Prakash, and K. Kunte. 2018. Larval host plants of the butterflies of the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 10:11495–11550. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.3104.10.4.11495-11550.
Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández. 2013. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London. URL: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/hostplants/search/index.dsml.
WFO (2023): World Flora Online. Accessed on 17 Dec 2022. URL: http://www.worldfloraonline.org.
Flowers of India (2023). Accessed on 17 Dec. 2022. URL: http://www.flowersofindia.net.