Growing your results…
The Northeast's dense deciduous and mixed forests support some of the highest caterpillar diversity in North America. Oaks, cherries, and willows anchor the food web; goldenrod and asters sustain the late-season pollinator community.
States: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ
Ranked by caterpillar species supported (NWF / Tallamy data)
| Genus | Common name | Caterpillar spp. |
|---|---|---|
| Quercus | Oak | 436 |
| Prunus | Wild cherry / plum | 340 |
| Salix | Willow | 289 |
| Betula | Birch | 284 |
Ranked by pollen specialist bee species supported (Fowler data)
| Genus | Common name | Specialist bees |
|---|---|---|
| Solidago | Goldenrod | 42 |
| Symphyotrichum | Aster | 33 |
| Helianthus | Native sunflower | 50 |
3 plants listed
Data source: Keystone plant rankings based on NWF Keystone Plants by Ecoregion and Narango, Tallamy & Shropshire (2020), Nature Communications. Specialist bee data from Fowler (2016), USDA Forest Service.
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Quercus rubra