Butterfly feed

16mei2007
Source: EZNC
Nice to see, the fluttering paintings. Especially the tropical butterflies are simply picturesque. But what do butterflies actually eat?
Butterflies only eat during two stages in their life. When caterpillars crawl from their egg, they eat leafs. These may come from one specific plant or from several plant species.
During their metamorphose from caterpillar to butterfly, the animals are in the pupal stage. During this stage, they do not eat.
When the butterfly flies off, its only goal is to breed before it dies. Some butterflies do this within several days and will eat little or nothing. This kind of butterfly has already formed eggs. The nutrients which are necessary for forming the eggs are already stores during the caterpillar stage.
Other butterflies still need to form eggs. These butterflies will generally live longer and use more energy to fly around. For the production of eggs, the butterfly needs sugar, but also amino-acids and minerals.

A number of butterflies uses their rolling tong to retrieve nectar from flowers. The nectar is rich in sugar, especially glucose, fructose, and saccharine. It also contains small amounts of amino-acid.
Other butterflies do not use plant nectar, but eat rotting fruit. Sometimes, butterflies are spotted on dead animals, excrements, or mud. It is assumed that they use these as a source of fluid and minerals.
When the butterflies have laid their eggs, the whole cycle can start all over again.