WANT BUTTERFLIES?!? 21 MUST KNOW Tips to Create a Butterfly Friendly Garden

[@samelita007]

OMG, this has to be the most comprehensive guide to butterfly gardening. Your videos have helped me so much to attract and sustain butterflies in my HOA-compliant garden. Thank you!

[@WildFloridian]

AWWW thank you 😊 You are definitely pushing the boundaries for good in your HOA community!

[@gidget8717]

I swear this is the best channel EVER! I've slowly stopped watching any gardening channels other than this one and The Urban Harvest. I have realized after gardening for more than 30yrs in zones 5&6, I don't need to watch channels from there. I need information for 9&10. The more I learn from you two girls the more I understand why my garden was such a failure the first 3 years down here. It's a whole different ballgame down here! 🤣

[@tomasck2973]

But do you live in zone 5-6 or 9-10?

[@gidget8717]

@@tomasck2973 I moved to zone 9b in 2014. I gardened for more than 30yrs in zone 5b. Tropical or semi-tropical is totally opposite planting times.

[@WildFloridian]

Wow, thank you Gidget! That is high praise! 😄🥰😄

[@debandgigi]

This is the best education ever.

[@limitlessends]

Absolutely love your chaotic excited energy. Especially the part where you said you deep dive when you get a new butterfly. Love that!!

[@Paul-se1er]

Great video! I love all of your butterflies. I will shop today with your suggestions in mind. (LABOR DAY SALE EVERYWHERE). I grow honeysuckles for the hummingbirds and the fragrance.

[@omasthoughts47]

I just found your channel recently and yay! Someone in my zone who is knowledgeable and real. I’m about 70 or so miles south of you. Starting from scratch and older. Yes the oldies are interested also. Thank you.

[@WildFloridian]

That is awesome! I'm so glad you found my channel 😄 🥰

[@OVHabitats]

I love the simple non scientific explanations you give. I moved to this area because of the wild natural surroundings. My natural surroundings and you have inspired me to plan my gardens with Florida native (& friendly) plants. I have woodpeckers, cardinals and more birds than I can count. I see butterflies behind my home but now I am going to attract them to my yard. love love love the content!

[@cynb.347]

So exciting to see all those catapillars and butterflies. I would love to see that in my garden!

[@sandrabeck8788]

Please shoe the weeds (host plants) a bit longer. I really could not see several of them/ we had to get rid of the wild corky stem passion flower because the orange/black caterpillars were making our dogs sick. For some reason the dogs thought it was great to eat or catch these caterpillars. Dachshunds do not learn from getting hurt or sick, a Cain toad incident cost me over $800 in vet bills! 🥰love your videos!

[@dianegiordano7365]

Butterflies like the trumpet shape for flowers. Thank you, I love butterfly gardening. I’m in zone 7a. I have a limited amount of butterflies but am working on it!

[@WildFloridian]

Amazing! You'll get there 😄 Step by step! 😊 I can't wait to hear how your journey goes 🥰

[@madhurapatil5252]

OMG. So much info. Info overload but really helpful tips too. Although I live in Minnesota, I got a lot of tips that will be beneficial for butterflies and also for pollinators. But absolutely loved this idea of Butterfly garden.

[@sketchtheparadigmyork1217]

Black swallowtail caterpillars will always be my favorite. As the get bigger the get so confident they’re like rhinos of the caterpillars with their horns and heft. Monarchs are of course amazing because they migrate.

[@GardeningcanBfree]

Omg your garden is so beautiful, it reminds me of monets garden in geverni France.

[@beckykelley8726]

I love your enthusiasm! I've got to start a wildlife garden!

[@user-he3ek3cs4z]

Wow butterflies, weeds, plants poop idenification..............all new info to me, only in Florida for 6 years! Great info! Weeds I have all over and have no idea all my weeds were doing good things! A larvae identification would be great! This is my fav video to date! Thanks!

[@WildFloridian]

Yay! I'm glad this was your favorite! So a caterpillar guide! I'll see what I can work in 😄

[@laurenrhoads9712]

Great video. This is primarily why I joined your channel for butterfly garden, but I love your veggie videos too.

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you Lauren! I'll try to get more in! 🥰

[@naturegirl1378]

Thanks for all your information.

[@Ash-fd8ww]

Coral Honeysuckle is a host plant and attracts those huge native leopard moths that start off as HUGE fuzzy black caterpillars. They are SO BIG it's CRAZY.

[@WildFloridian]

Wait….. I had them… not near coral honeysuckle. But I had the caterpillar and the moth! Thank you ☺️

[@patriciak7192]

I love your videos. Super informative. Thank you wild Floridian!

[@WildFloridian]

Thanks You Patricia! 😊

[@lyndabrown3402]

I use Oyster shells around the flowers so when it rains or we water the upturned shells will capture water for awhile.

[@WildFloridian]

That is such a great use of shells!

[@swhite8381]

This must be why I can’t pull in the Zebra Longwings or Swallowtails with host plant’s becauseI don’t have a lot of shade ! I get Monarchs and Fritillaries all day long. I appreciate the info, I will try a shade butterfly garden.

[@jasongross4241]

You should try adding Rangoon Creeper to your yard.Crazy amount of bees and butterflies on mine

[@johngault8688]

Host plants really does make a big difference in the number of butterflies that visit your yard. BTW, I also keep Pellitory plant in my yard for the Red Admiral butterfly, but also it's one of the edible plants and has a similar taste to cucumber.

[@WildFloridian]

I love it! And I didn't know that it was edible?!? Thanks John!

[@Joy222U]

I really enjoyed your tour and the bonus of your neighbor's yard. I hope you'll visit more Florida gardens. It's fun seeing the different plants that people choose and the types of wildlife that they attract.

[@WildFloridian]

I'm so happy you enjoyed Mr. Cliff's yard. I hope to someday share other gardens.

[@verabundy4486]

There's actually a couple of butterflies that have a long proboscis, and can nectar on the Coral Honeysuckle.... but yes, it is mostly for hummingbirds.

[@Erewhon2024]

I have noticed Cloudless Sulfur (which will even use Azalea indica if nothing else is blooming) seems to prefer red-flowered sages (pineapple, littleleaf, TX autumn sage,...) and other hummingbird syndrome flowers. Are you seeing Sulfurs, or a mix of large / long-proboscis species?

[@ButterflyGardeningwithSusan]

Fabulous video!!!! I love it. Keep spreading the butterfly love. 🦋🐛💕

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you so much Susan! 🥰

[@johannamarsh8464]

Great video.I am from Pennsylvania. This was so entertaining and educational! Thank you so much!! I will now watch all of your other videos! ❤

[@sylviakirchel2519]

🦋🐛🦋🐛🦋🐛🦋🐛 Ramble on Girl, I was actually taking notes while watching your video!!! Never thought to pay attention to their flight path, I will now! I have mostly Longwing Zebra butterflys, lots of Monarch caterpillars but can't seem to keep them because I don't have enough host plants!!! Another plant my Zebras love are the native/non native Lantanas. Hmmm...Never thought of a shade butterfly garden🤔 I get passion vines every year for their fruit but I never get fruit because the fritillary cats eat up all the vines...lol...no worries. Ok I am going to re-watch your video! Thanks for sharing!!! 👩‍🌾

[@WildFloridian]

What amazing compliments! For your monarch caterpillars... I found and a lot of viewers agree that at LEAST 6 milkweed plants to keep up with first wave. I did 12 plants last year and they did really well. I'm so excited, it sounds like you have done amazing work with your garden! Keep up the wonderful work you are doing!

[@sylviakirchel2519]

@@WildFloridian thank you!🦋🐛👩‍🌾

[@marilynearl6887]

Your dog is so cute

[@WildFloridian]

🥰 Thank you ☺️

[@SulcataGrove]

Beautiful yard! I made a list of some plants I’m going to add. Have you had any Malachite butterflies yet? I have lots of green shrimp plant and am hoping to attract them.

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you! I haven't had any Malachite butterflies. I've heard a lot of debate on green shrimp plant on whether it actually attracts them. FYI green shrimp is invasive. I would love to hear what your experience has been!

[@EarthBallad]

Fun video! My yard is very small and the Giant Swallowtails, Sulphurs, and Monarch’s mostly come to lay eggs and leave. But the Zebra Longwings are here all day! In addition the things you mentioned, mine love: Native Wild Coffee when it’s in bloom. Both they and the bees are all over it. Scorpion tail plant And I start lots of globe amaranth from seed every year, it loves our weather and gets cute flowers that I have seen the butterflies of several varieties on. The zebras also sleep on a dead branch coming off a cypress tree near my kitchen window. I see them all come to start roosting there in the evening. So keeping some dead branches, especially high up in the trees was good reminder.

[@ashley14705]

♥️Great video! Thanks for sharing

[@WildFloridian]

Thanks for watching Rese! 🥰😊

[@valmac1234]

You should make a guide! When they bloom, spacing, sunlight, and heights of these plants so we can plan it

[@WildFloridian]

That's a great idea!

[@suepowers1139]

Coral honeysuckle....maybe not butterflies but hummers love it. I live in eastern Hillsborough County and that was the only flowers that didn't freeze and the hummers came in herds!!

[@WildFloridian]

That is amazing… I’ve often wondered at my ability to get hummingbirds living in urban St. Petersburg. Both from it being a city and it being a peninsula…. But just two days ago I had my first hummingbird visit!!!!! I’m so excited! That’s great to o know about it helping hummingbirds in winter ❄️

[@Freedom2025-x2b]

You’re the absolute best!

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you Patricia!

[@muriellockhoff9560]

I have a small garden I have passion fruit porter plant hibiscus 4 o’ clocks jasmine milk weed I Love butterfly’s and hummingbird

[@WildFloridian]

Sounds beautiful 🥰

[@muriellockhoff9560]

Thank you I’m glad you are so helpful your garden looks great and I see all the hard work you do but it’s worth it enjoy 😊

[@karenstershic6286]

I always enjoy your videos! I’m in Sarasota County and the orange-barred sulphurs really enjoy our coral honeysuckle that covers an 8-foot high trellis (As you mentioned, high flowers, high flight pattern. I think they have a longer proboscis also.). Keep these great videos coming!

[@WildFloridian]

That is so cool to hear that they are enjoying your coral honeysuckle! And that you so much! 🥰

[@denises9455]

Can cone flowers do well in florida SWF,

[@Baked_intell]

You have good camera presence. I like your videos well done and i learned stuff 😂

[@WildFloridian]

I appreciate that!

[@lorijohnson5061]

I have Porter weed growing wild in my yard and the Zebras love them. My bananas look terrible, should I fertilize them. What with?

[@WildFloridian]

Yay for the natives! On your bananas. If you live in North Florida, it may have been from all the cold snaps and they will just bounce back as it warms up. Adding some compost won't hurt and continuing regular chop and drop.

[@jimbrechin3367]

In what part of Florida are you located? I am in Destin and see very few species of butterflies.

[@WildFloridian]

I live in St. Pete. I'm a city girl.

[@georgweyand88]

Good to see a video from you which is not about vegetables.

[@WildFloridian]

LOL! I try! The people do like vegetable gardening. I'm doing more research on butterfly garden plants... so more to come 😄

[@gulfcoastbutterflygardening]

Thank you so much for the incredibly informative and entertaining video!!! I took lots of notes!!! I never would have known that passion vine grown in the shade would be the trick to having zebra longwings! That’s gold right there!!! And you were right! LOL! I didn’t want to hear how much butterflies love Biden’s alba. A few years ago I grew a huge bed of it next to the sidewalk in front of my house and it turned into a scraggly mess and all the flying creatures loved it to bits and seedlings came up everywhere and it was so hideous. It’s the most successful thing that I have ever planted…ever. And I can’t let it grow here again. I found a pink Biden’s, but I’m gonna watch it like a hawk and not let it go to seed. I’m telling myself that this time it will be different.

[@WildFloridian]

OMG! I’m so happy you enjoyed! I’ve been playing more with shade butterfly gardens and find success! I hope it works for you too! On Bidens Alba. You can mow and prune it regularly. And it can be a super hard prune. There are sections next to roads that I see regularly. In late winter they are gorgeous. I think the regular hard prunes are actually liked by the plant. And yes the seeds get everywhere and are a pain to pull because of their deep tap root. Best wishes and I love your garden!

[@gulfcoastbutterflygardening]

@@WildFloridian I never would have thought to try pruning the bidens alba! Thank you so much for the tip!!! I’m going to let it grow in the front yard this year. I know several seedlings are out there right now, and I planned to yank them out but I’m going to give ‘em another try! Another thing that I learned from you that was so cool was about was butterfly pathways and how giant swallowtails like to stay along a protected, dappled shaded path. Very good stuff!!! I can’t wait to see what happens in your garden this season!!!!! You’re making a huge difference in people’s and butterflies lives by sharing your knowledge!!!

[@joechristensen8531]

Thank you. Living in Central Florida (Ormond by the Sea), you have given me great ideas.

[@maga4u]

Butterflies love my passion flowers, red.

[@vio7et_tendencies]

I just recently found your channel and so far, it's my favorite Florida gardening channel, and I've watched a lot. I currently live in North FL and have an acre but I'm really hoping to move to St. Petersburg in a few years and get a nice sized Quarter Acre lot in a suburban neighborhood. I'd love to rewild a lot like that. I hate how much people love to hate on Bidens Alba. I have a wild stand of Bidens Alba that I maintain and I let them seed out in other places since my garden is primarily for wildlife. And all of the little things love it, bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles, spiders, EVERYTHING. Which just attracts so much more to your yard. Also, with the whole leaving dead twigs of plants available for butterflies and caterpillars, I remember reading an article that some butterflies actually get certain kinds of nutrients from dead plant sticks, so yeah, leaving them out for a while is good for them. I'm not a butterfly expert by any means, but I bet they love hanging out on your squash leaves cause they're sun basking, butterflies are cold blooded and occasionally have to take some breaks to bask in the sun. So another thing you can do to attract more of them is add heat sources like flat rocks and stuff, stuff that may also attract lizards and snakes.

[@WildFloridian]

OMG! That is so sweet! I really appreciate the compliment. I love that you are creating a space for wildlife! And that makes sense about the butterflies warming themselves up.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Great video! Here in central Texas, the coral honeysuckle is swarmed by hummingbirds, but I have found that Hemaris thysbe will use this plant as a host plant. So it's not totally useless in a butterfly (or this case, moth) garden.

[@WildFloridian]

Oh! Thank you! I did not know it hosted this moth! I knew about the clearwing moth (but we are outside its range). I haven't seen any on my plant, but I did have my first hummingbird sighting (hooray)! I will keep an eye out for the cats! Thanks Stephen 😄

[@Erewhon2024]

Supposedly it (reproductive parts) is one of the many hostplants of something in the Spring Azure complex, but I don't always notice those little guys even on plants they prefer more.

[@onelove1950]

I really appreciate the spelling of plants posted on the videos.

[@vivianlang5573]

Your so adorable! We would def be friends because on how excited you get with your butterflies it reminds me of me. I’ve started my shade butterfly garden with about 3 milkweed and some flowers. I saw a blue and black butterfly vist and scoping out my work. I don’t think I was prepared for that specific butterfly because she did not stay. I do have a lot of trees so lots of birds around. Do you think that might be the reason?

[@WildFloridian]

Awww! You are too sweet Vivian! They will stay near their host plants. So if you know what type... get the host plant. For me... spicebush swallowtails will visit occasionally... but someone has the host plant about one block away. But they never hang around. So if I can get the host plant they will hang around more. If it is black and blue... I would expect it is more inclined to the shade and wouldn't think that is stopping them from visiting. Birds can impact. But they are always around. Your best bet is to add the host plant. Wishing you the best! 😄🥰😄

[@kathyjenkins4067]

I'm in Michigan. The black swallowtails love to lay their eggs on dill plants on my porch! Plus I have spice swallowtails. Thank you for your lovely videos!

[@freddyviera9980]

Thank you!

[@mistycarter9809]

Hi from N FL! I have couple yellow butterflies that are always on the morning glories. Just starting to think about what flowers i should plant for hosts. You are very knowledgeable and easy to follow! Thank you 😊

[@katiecannon8186]

Great vid. You *must* get some old fashion red pintas. Now thst I’ve watched this video I realize I *must* grow more types of passion vine. Again, great vid. Look forward to the one where you plant some old fashion pintas and then show how amazing they are as a foundation nectar source 😉

[@WildFloridian]

LOL! Twist my arm 🤣 And yes get passion vine! So many native types that are beautiful! I got a variety of Maypop that smells gorgeous once it flowers!

[@zaneymay]

They like large leaf because they catch the morning dew.

[@WildFloridian]

Nice!

[@flaboysventures2697]

Hello , I’m have been subscribed for bout a year and am in Tampa bay.. I’ve watched your sweet potato videos and have a ? If you don’t mind, I believe I over watered my chutes and never got a vine out of 3 in one container filled with potting soil, gonna swap to soil/ mulch... how often do you water?

[@WildFloridian]

Oh my gosh 🥰😊🥰 Thank you! I water twice a week. In the summer we shut the sprinklers off and let the deluge go. The starts can grow in water until you get them sprouted or you can put them in soil. I would not put them in mulch. I do the mulch with full potatoes (unless I’m misunderstanding your question). Wishing you the best 😄

[@Marianapj76]

What a beautiful garden you have ❤. Do you have a video about insect repent plants 🪴 ? Here in Florida are very bad 😢

[@dumplingsfordays2980]

im getting so many host plants and i didnt notice some of them

[@WildFloridian]

YAY host plants!

[@speakersubject554]

Cloudless sulfur lucky!!

[@WildFloridian]

Thanks!

[@dumplingsfordays2980]

i remember a few months into 2020 my dad showed me some swallowtail caterpillars on his lime trees

[@WildFloridian]

🥰 Awww

[@pray_plant_paint]

I am trying to live with Bidens Alba and I will say it attracts EVERYone and ANYthing - which is why I'm trying to grow it somewhat contained in a wilder area of my yard. Still, I have to rip out a TON where I don't want it but I think this will improve with time and diligence. YES, yes butterflies love. I'm curious will glory bower grow in Z9a? There seems to be a couple different varieties - one also called peanut butter tree that is listed as invasive. Do hummingbirds like the glory bower also? TY!!!

[@Erewhon2024]

Spicebush (& Palamedes/Laurel) Swallowtails will also use native bays (Persea borbonia & palustris). Unfortunately all North American Lauraceae are vulnerable to Laurel Wilt Disease, carried by the invasive Redbay Ambrosia Beetle (courtesy of unethical shipping practices of Red China). The beetle is a wood borer which lives of the Laurel Wilt Disease mycelium it cultivates on the wood of its victims. Hopefully spicebush (Lindera sp.) are narrow/twiggy enough that the beetles will move on, thinking there is insufficient food, even though they are attracted to Lindera volatiles.

[@maryannpeel7549]

Where did you get those cattle panel type trellis?

[@WildFloridian]

Tractor Supply… I have a video that goes through the whole shebang

[@maryannpeel7549]

@@WildFloridian found the video- looks like I went to the same TS for my panels!

[@ladysunshine7778]

Where can I get some caterpillars?

[@WildFloridian]

Put the host plants and the butterflies will bring them 😊

[@ladysunshine7778]

@@WildFloridian thank you! My quest for Butterflies and hummingbirds continue. This video was great! Thank you! I enjoy your videos very much!!

[@AlannaSingsALot]

Questions/Comments: *Have you grown/planted Echinacea/Coneflower? None of them ever show up when I plant from seed. Considering buying some plants & wanted to know your opinion. *What about your vegetable/herb garden? Have you grown Dill, Parsley, Carrots? (butterfly host plants) I’m just starting one this year, so we’ll see! *Do you also plant for attracting birds? I’m trying to plant for hummingbirds over time & not sure what’s worth it!

[@WildFloridian]

Hi Alanna! I have not grown echinacea... I do know that the standard seed packet at the store isn't the native type. I do grow black eyed susans which are a type of cone flower. But otherwise I'm limited on experieince. I have grown carrots... I haven't seen any black swallowtails. But I also haven't seen that butterfly in the area. But living in St Pete can cause us to not get the same variety of butterflies as those on the main peninsula. I do plant to attract birds! 😄 There are definitely humming birds in Florida. Same issue as butterflies for me being on the Pinellas peninsula... and it being a dense urban environment. BUT there are many hummingbird gardeners. Two plants that are loved are firebush and coral honeysuckle. AND GUESS WHAT?!? I just had my first hummingbird sightings last week. Looked like they were going for mexican petunia, hibiscus and coral honey suckle. So I would look for win win plants like tropical sage and others that support both butterflies and hummingbirds... that way if it takes some time for the hummers to find you... you'll still have butterflies to enjoy!

[@AlannaSingsALot]

Really awesome solid advice. I’ll definitely try coral honeysuckle & black eyed Susans! Thank you 🤓💜🐛🦋

[@AlannaSingsALot]

I went to a local garden shop for white swamp milkweed today - I was able to bring home a QUEEN butterfly (caterpillar)! It looks so similar to a Monarch.

[@Erewhon2024]

Echinacea sanguinea is native to the Gulf Coast, but most Echinacea on the market is derived from northern germplasm of northern species and hates Florida (soil too acidic in most of the state & winters far too short even in the Panhandle). Echinacea is usually a good nectar (& goldfinch seeds) choice for northern gardeners.

[@Bittagrit]

Coral honeysuckle no go. Passiflora incarnata the bumblebees, honey bees and several butterflies love. Powder puff shrub is attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

[@kevinmurphy2836]

My pentas,red, little activity

[@Erewhon2024]

Do you have HuaLongBing (Citrus greening) problems like in so much of FL (due to monoculture agriculture)? Do alternative Giant Swallowtail hosts like Zanthoxylum, Ptelea (and in the extreme south, Amyris), Casimiroa, or (perhaps further north?) Dictamnus or rue get the disease? Do Giant Swallowtail caterpillars use Aegle marmelos? (similar question on HuaLongBing for that one, I guess).

[@robinmuhlbauer9598]

The Monarchs (and all caterpillars) are going onto the dead branches to go to their next instar.

[@janisezack1610]

Wild Floridian: I hope you see my comment. A third of my front yard is heavily shaded, am so happy to learn about the white passionflower preferring the shade. I already have Maypop Passionflower for the gulf fritillary butterflies. I also have bidens alba in my yard I let it flower and go to seed. It looks messy as heck in my front yard, but boy the bees and butterflies love it! I collect the seed and spread it in my backyard. Looking forward to your shade videos. There are native Florida plants that the Giant Swallowtails used/uses as a host plant prior to the introduction of citrus by explorers. I'll have to search for the name of the plant. Thought I might go with the original host instead of citrus. I was going to plant a senna tree but decided to go with partridge pea. Do you notice ants eating a lot of sulfur caterpillars on your senna tree? Thank you for your videos. Sorry for the rant. 🦋🥀🐝🌺

[@richardsmith1161]

I'm in 9b and Firebush, Mexican Petunia and Powterweed get tons of action. Never see action on Pentas or Hibiscus.

[@WildFloridian]

🙌 Nice! I also find same plant different location have more or less activity… structure placement near by, sunlight, etc

[@sleepersix]

Can someone summarize the 21 tips?

[@wisteria4981]

I was just getting ready to trim off some of the dead twigs on my cocktail citrus tree until you just mentioned the 🐛‘s like hanging out on them 😅

[@vivid4325]

Thanks for sharing ! Another great video! I emailed you about the collaboration. Looking forward to your reply!

[@WildFloridian]

I will check it out! Thank you 🥰

[@lindafoster8182]

Are there any butterflies that don’t have babies that eat your vegetable plants? I don’t want to use chemicals on my plants to keep butterflies away. Help

[@speakersubject554]

OMG how many different species and varieties do you have? I literally counted all the different species not including poppys and I have around 296 or so different types of plant. Obviously not individual plants because that wouldn't be as fun:) But fr?

[@WildFloridian]

WOW 😮 That is a lot! Amazing!

[@cowgrlmeg]

I have been driving myself insane trying to place how I know you..I love your videos but I felt like "I know her" It just hit me...softball a few years ago? I hope so, otherwise I swear I'm not a stalker...well I am on your videos because I'm trying to not kill my plants and I'm learning through you 😀

[@WildFloridian]

LOL 😂 I have never played softball. I have terrible hand eye coordination that only improved because of babies 👶 🤣

[@cowgrlmeg]

@@WildFloridian that's too funny, I told my daughter I know why she looks familiar, softball.... she seen your video and said oh yeah, I've seen her..lol you have a doppelganger twin for sure :) Love your videos!!!

[@kingsagenda]

butterflies = caterpillars=dead leaves

[@WildFloridian]

You got it!

[@Erewhon2024]

The damage from grass skippers is usually less noticeable, but their adults are "little brown jobs" (sometimes grey) and completely edible to birds: small and skittish, not very showy, but good for songbirds. If you are concerned about the aesthetic eyesore of chewed foliage, you can hide the hostplants in less frequently visited areas or behind other plants (for hosts that can tolerate a bit of shade).

[@lepidlover0557]

A few munches here and there doesn't hurt anything