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Hello!

I'm putting together a butterfly transect project for a job interview on Tuesday. Please can anyone tell me which species of butterfly feed on Musk Mallow (Malva moschata)?

Many thanks!

Hello and welcome ,Nature Bunny ,
I,m not sure if Malva Moschata is used by any butterflies ,but I have found Painted Lady larvae feeding on Common Mallow ,
and there is also a small Skipper species ie; Mallow Skipper ,which is a "Mallow " feeder ,and also a moth called (funnily enough !) the Mallow
The Mallow Skipper isn,t found in the UK .
I,m sure some of the more experienced European specialists on the site will respond to your post .
Good luck with the interview ! Regards Allan.W.

I can confirm that the Painted Lady feeds on Musk Mallow, and probably every other member of the mallow family. Although not mentioned in the British literature the Mallow moth Larentia clavaria also does so. See http://www.lepiforum.de.

M.

Welcome from me too.

Musk mallow is not especially favoured by British butterflies. However, it is worth growing, as the flowers are very colourful, and bumblebees love it!

Choose a site in full sun, if you can.