Butterflies are often seen flitting among flowers, primarily seeking nectar, which serves as their main energy source. However, certain fruit varieties also offer a valuable supplementary food source, particularly for specific butterfly species or during times when floral nectar is scarce. Providing fruit can attract a diverse range of butterflies to a garden, offering them additional nutrients.
Fruits Butterflies Prefer
Butterflies prefer overripe, soft fruits with high sugar content, as these qualities make the juices easily accessible. Bananas, especially when very ripe or mashed, are a favored choice due to their soft texture and sweetness. Oranges, watermelon, and cantaloupe are also popular, with their juicy pulp providing ample liquid and sugars.
Many species, including Monarchs, Red Admirals, Mourning Cloaks, Painted Ladies, and Question Marks, feed on these soft, sweet fruits. Berries like strawberries and raspberries, along with peaches, nectarines, plums, and pears, also attract butterflies. The strong, often fermenting, scent of overripe fruit signals a readily available food source.
The Appeal of Fruit to Butterflies
Fruit attracts butterflies due to its high sugar content, including fructose and glucose, providing a quick energy boost for flight and metabolic activities. Butterflies use their proboscis, a straw-like mouthpart, to sip sweet juices from ripe and decaying fruits. This liquid diet is essential as butterflies cannot chew solid food.
Overripe fruit ferments, producing alcohol and aromatic compounds that enhance its appeal. These strong scents help butterflies locate the food source, even from a distance. While nectar is their primary food, fruit offers additional minerals and sugars, supplementing their diet. Some species even rely heavily on fruit as a primary food source, particularly those that rarely visit flowers.
Setting Up a Fruit Feeder for Butterflies
To offer fruit, select a shallow dish, plastic plant saucer, or an old log with an indentation. Prepare the fruit by slicing it open, mashing it, or poking holes to expose the juicy pulp, making it easier for butterflies to access. Place the prepared fruit, such as overripe bananas, oranges, or watermelon, in the feeder.
Position the feeder in a sunny, wind-sheltered location, as butterflies prefer warm, calm conditions. Elevating the feeder off the ground can deter pests like ants. Replace the fruit daily to prevent mold and remove it at night to discourage nocturnal animals. Ensure any fruit offered has not been treated with pesticides.