Puddling Butterflies

Have you ever discovered a group of butterflies hanging out at a mud puddle or perhaps congregating on a pile of dung or a recently deceased animal? Ever wondered what those butterflies are doing? Often these butterflies will seem as if they are in a trance-like state as they appear to show no interest in giving up their activity even at our approach. This behavior is called mud-puddling or just puddling. It is a common sight to see during spring and summer, especially if water holes, dung or carrion are readily available. Many times, you will see other insects, such as bees, wasps and moths and some beetles sharing the same resource. In the case of butterflies who partake in this activity, they are nearly always males. As few as 1 to 2 percent will be females. So why is it only the males seeking these mud puddles?

Having a diet rich in nectar and all its sugary tastiness sounds ideal, but in reality, while this food source provides bursts of energy, it supplies very little in the way of valuable nutrients necessary for successful breeding and healthy egg development. Males will seek out other available resources that provide the amino acids, sodium, and ammonium ions they need to not only replenish their own supply lost during mating, but to be able to pass those nutrients onto the females for successful egg production and to increase the survival chances for those eggs. Females do not need to puddle for nutrients, since all the sodium and other minerals she needs is provided to her by the male via his reproductive fluids. Much of these valuable minerals are passed onto the eggs and their development, but remaining nutrients are absorbed by the female. Males often mate with many individual females, and at each mating event those minerals are passed to the female, thus depleting his own supply. This explains why it is nearly always males found puddling and why it is so important that they have access to these resources.

During puddling an excessive amount of fluid is taken in through the proboscis, so much so that not all of it can be absorbed. Once the important nutrients have been stripped from the watery fluid the “waste fluid” must be expelled. Many species do this by means of a type of jet propulsion that shoots the liquid from the hind regions of the butterfly at a rapid-fire pace. 

There are ways that we can assist the butterflies in their nutritional needs. One way is to create a puddling station. This can be done by simply placing a large saucer (12-18 inches in diameter) in your garden. Place sand on one side and pebbles, for perching, on the other. Add non-iodized salt to the sand then moisten the sand with water making sure it is not drenched. You can also place bits of banana or citrus within the saucer to further attract them. If butterflies are still not finding your generously provided mineral source, try placing decoys on the saucer in the shape, color, and form of butterflies. It is known that those butterflies who puddle are attracted by the visual of other butterflies puddling. Soon it will turn into a veritable puddling pool party. Another thing you can do is bring home a small bucket of river sand. The sand found along riverbanks is already rich in amino acids and sodium from the wild animals urinating there, and from the water fluctuations caused by flood events which deposit nutrients in the sand. Place this sand in your saucer along with just enough water to keep it moistened. Not only are you providing all the nutrients they need, but in years like this year when many areas are experiencing drought, you are supplying a much-needed water source. Most likely, bees and wasps will also find your platter of decadence and partake as well. You will be helping a plethora of pollinators, not just butterflies. 

While schlepping home a recently available piece of roadkill is not exactly appealing to most people, if you are of a mind to do so and have a place on your property where the eventual smell will not reach sensitive human nostrils, those butterflies who prefer carrion will thank you. Many puddling butterflies glean their nutrients through decaying animal matter and dung. Those particular individuals need the ammonium ions available in dung, blood, and flesh. Or you could just stick with the much-preferred sand and water. Placing rotting fruit in your gardens is also a great option. Bananas, citrus, and stale beer are all appreciated by mineral seeking butterflies. I frequently keep oranges or grapefruits out for our orioles. This year the hackberry, comma and question mark butterflies have all but taken over those particular feeders. If you have an oriole feeder that is not being used for its intended target, try placing oranges out anyway, and see if the butterflies show up.

Attracting pollinators has become the focus of many gardeners, and environmental groups around the world. Providing puddling stations is a great way to start your journey of providing a pollinator friendly environment. If you would like to do even more, consider planting native plants whenever possible. It is important to note that native varieties of plants are adapted to our constantly changing temperatures and weather events. This means less water and work for you once they are established. In many cases, native plants have evolved right along with the insects that use them for host plants or nectar sources. Attracting these flying flowers to your yard via nectaring plants is a wonderful thing to do, but you will attract even more by planting the host plants the female needs to lay eggs. Many butterflies are host specific, meaning they rely on one particular family of plants for their offspring to develop on, and no other plant will suffice. Whereas any nectar plant, in most cases, will provide the sugary energy they need. Want monarchs? Plant milkweed. Want red admirals, let your nettles grow. For each butterfly, there is a host or multiple hosts you can plant to entice them into your yard and gardens. It may take some research on your part to determine what will attract the species you are most interested in seeing in your landscape. It will be worth it!

In your gardening journey, consider forgoing the fancy non-native cultivars that attract us with their bright blooms and glossy leaves. Instead, opt for the more subdued, well adapted native varieties that will attract more pollinators. Place one or more puddling stations within your gardens and provide shallow dishes of water as well. Avoid throwing out decaying or rotting fruit like bananas or citrus by placing feeding stations in your yard. With every butterfly friendly effort you make, you will be rewarded with the amazing flying flowers that bring joy to our time spent outdoors.