Butterfly Puddling

Most  butterflies feed only on nectar, which is essentially like drinking sugar water all day long. They get some of the water they need from this nectar, but also need to sip water directly. Additionally, male butterflies require other nutrients to boost fertility - like salts and minerals - that nectar can't provide. These nutrients can be found dissolved in water, but landing on or close to a lake or stream is pretty risky for these little creatures.

Photo Credit: BirdsandBlooms.com

Instead, butterflies will land on a patch of muddy or sandy ground and drink the water there in relative comfort and safety. In Florida, sulphur butterflies are especially common puddlers, and will even occasionally land on humans to sip their sweat on a hot and humid day. When we water the Flight Enclosure, butterflies gather on the wet concrete to sip the water that gathers there - so fun to watch up close!

You can create a puddling area in your own garden to give thirsty butterflies a place to drink. Any shallow container filled with a little dirt and some rainwater will do (I've seen butterflies puddling in an upturned Frisbee), but if you want to get a little fancier, use a shallow birdbath or other container. For more details on creating a butterfly puddling spot, click here.