In the past, we supplied a shallow pan filled with sand and water for butterflies. We didn’t notice any butterflies attracted to this, though.
We haven’t done this since we’ve had ponds — especially our wildlife pond, since it has a gradually sloping area at the edge that exposes mud.
Any butterfly that needs water (or the minerals dissolved in it) would be able to find it in these more “naturally”-occurring sources. Still, though, we haven’t yet noticed any butterflies taking advantage of this.
Once, on a trip to a state park, we saw large groups of male swallowtails at a gravelly beach. It was maddening that I didn’t have my camera with me, but it was fascinating to see.
Resources
- National Wildlife Federation:
- How to provide water in monarch gardens (for other butterflies or insects, too)
Reflections
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
~ Maya Angelou