What do butterflies feed on?
Just like bees and Bumblebees Butterflies collect flower nectar, which serves as a source of energy. They take their food through a roll-out proboscis. Since they have no chewing tools, they can only consume liquid food. If you want to feed butterflies, you can also use conventional sugar, as this is similar to flower nectar.
also read
- Flowers for butterflies
- How do butterflies hibernate?
- Garden design: how to create a paradise for butterflies
Empty and full flowers
The natural way to feed butterflies is by choosing a colorful one Flower meadow plant in the garden. Sterile lawns, on the other hand, do not offer any sources of nectar. Wildflowers are best because their flowers contain the most sugar. The color of the flower, on the other hand, does not matter. On the contrary, many gardeners are often fooled by the blaze of color. Grown flowers shine brightly, but mostly have so-called double flowers. Breeders attach greater importance to the appearance of their production. In doing so, they neglect the nectar content that the flower will later produce. Natural wildflowers, on the other hand, have empty flowers that naturally contain a lot of nectar.
Make your own sugar solution
Do you only have a balcony and therefore have little opportunity to plant it in a variety of species? Then replace the flower nectar with
- Table sugar (dissolved in water)
- Honey (dissolved in water)
- or sugary fruit juice
How to make the butterfly food:
- Heat water
- Stir in sugar (ratio 4: 1)
- Wait for the sugar to dissolve
- Let cool down
- Dip the sponge in the liquid
- Put the butterfly on the sponge
Note: the butterfly will suck the sugar out of the sponge. Bowls or plates are rather unsuitable as the animals could fall into the liquid or the wings could stick together. If you don't have a sponge on hand, drip a few splashes on the table.
Actively care for butterflies
You can recognize weakened butterflies by a staggering flight. If you want to nurse such an animal, you can touch it gently. To do this, grasp the insect very carefully by the wings with your index finger and thumb.
