Host plant

A host plant is a plant that provides sustenance and a living environment for certain insects, especially insects like caterpillars or aphids. These insects rely on the host plant for food, shelter, or a place to lay their eggs. The relationship is often specific; some insects can only feed on certain plants. For example, monarch butterfly caterpillars specifically eat milkweed. The health of the host plant directly affects the insects that depend on it, making it a key part of their lifecycle and survival.