Quercus

Border Privet

Ligustrum obtusifolium

Not native to Kentucky

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

32CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Ligustrum

  • Acronicta impletaYellow-Haired Dagger
  • Acronicta oblinitaSmeared Dagger
  • Aethalura intertextaFour-Barred Gray
  • Apantesis naisNais Tiger Moth
  • Argyrotaenia velutinanaRed-Banded Leafroller Moth, Jack Pine Tube Moth
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Callosamia prometheaPromethea Silkmoth, Promethea Moth
  • Ceratomia undulosaWaved Sphinx
  • Cerma cerinthaTufted Bird-Dropping Moth, Cherry Agate
  • Citheronia regalisRoyal Walnut Moth, Hickory Horned Devil
Show all 32
  • Dolba hyloeusPawpaw Sphinx
  • Eacles imperialisImperial Moth, Imperial Spiny Caterpillar
  • Ectropis crepusculariaThe Small Engrailed, Saddleback Looper
  • Eupithecia miserulataCommon Eupithacia, Common Pug
  • Harrisimemna trisignataHarris's Three-Spot
  • Hymenia perspectalisSpotted Beet Webworm
  • Hypena scabraGreen Cloverworm Bomolocha, Black Snout
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Manduca rusticaRustic Sphinx
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Paleacrita vernataSpring Cankerworm Moth
  • Palpita quadristigmalisFour-Spotted Palpita, Privet Moth
  • Paonias myopsSmall-Eyed Sphinx
  • Papilio glaucusEastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Podosesia syringaeLilac Borer Moth, Ash Borer
  • Rhopobota naevanaBlackheaded Fireworm, Holly Bud Moth, Holly Tortrix
  • Sphinx chersisGreat Ash Sphinx
  • Sphinx franckiiFranck's Sphinx
  • Sphinx kalmiaeFawn Sphinx, Laurel Sphinx
  • Spilosoma virginicaVirginian Tiger Moth, Yellow Woolybear Moth, Yellow Bear
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
  • Astala confederata
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Oleaceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Also known as

Border Privet; Ligustrum amurense

Conservation status

Kentucky rankSNA
Global rankGNR
KY statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources