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Butterflies and Moths' Habitat:
Valley Floor Wet Meadows
Most Utah Valley wet meadows are found adjacent to Utah Lake and are most easily recognized by an abundance of Russian olive trees as well as other plants such as milkweed, (Asclepias speciosa,) bull thistles, (Cirsium vulgare,) wild licorice, (Glycyrrhiza lepidota,) joe-pye weed, (Eupatorium maculatum,) cinquefoil, (Potentilla spp.,) stinging nettle, (Urtica dioica,) sandbar willow, (Salix exigua,) saltcedar, (Tamerisk ramosissima), common reed, (Phragmites australis,) canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea,) and others.
Monarchs, which is one of Northern Utah's migratory species, are especially attracted to wet meadows--specifically roosting in Russian olive trees to escape the heat of the day. In fact, female Monarchs will lay their eggs on the milkweeds adjacent to these Russian olive trees as well on milkweeds near nectar sources.
Unfortunately, wet meadow habitat adjacent to Utah Lake in American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Orem, and Provo is under potential threat due to housing developments and commercial construction. As natural habitat is being removed, colonies of sensitive species of butterflies and moths may decrease and ultimately disappear from Utah County. There are not any endangered species of butterflies or moths in Utah Valley; but, it would be sad to witness sensitive colonies of lepidoptera replaced by housing development. On the other hand, if some of this habitat remains protected, butterfly and moth colonies indigenous to this habitat will thrive.
Special note: There are small colonies of Baird's Swallowtails, (Papilio bairdi) that fly in Utah Valley's wet meadow habitat. This is unusual since this butterfly usually flies in association with its typical hostplant, Artemisia dracunculus which grows in isolated spots in Utah Valley's foothills and higher mountains. Adults of this butterfly have been spotted and collected in this habitat in association with another plant, Daucus carota (wild carrot,) which, although unproven, it is likely using there.
Habitat Locations in Utah Valley:
Butterfly Species For This Habitat:
Swallowtails (Family Papilionidae)
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Brush-footed Butterflies (Family Nymphalidae)
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Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)
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Milkweed Butterflies (Family Danaidae)
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Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)
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Whites and Sulphurs (Family Pieridae)
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Moth Species For This Habitat:
<Under Construction>
