Dandelion Ecology, food for insects

Dandelions are a food plant for a number of butterflies and moths. These include the spectacular Giant leopard moth  Hypercompe scribonia

The Geometridae moth caterpillars that feed on dandelions including the riband wave Idaea aversata

and the small fan footed wave Idaea biselata.

In addition the caterpillars of the orange swift Triodia sylvina  feed on dandelions.

Many Noctuidae moth caterpillars feed on dandelions including those of the Grey Chi  Antitype chi

 and The flame  Axylia putris,

The shark Cucullia umbratica,

The nutmeg  Dicestra trifolii,

The satellite  Eupsilia transversa,

The gothic  Naenia typica,

The Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba,

and the Setaceous hebrew character Xestia c-nigrum

In addition dandelions are also an important food plant for bees especially in early spring when pollen and nectar of few other food sources are available. They are also used as a nectar source by the pearl bordered fritillary  Boloria euphrosyne