Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Loxura atymnus butterflies and yellow crazy ants consuming nectar secreted from the extrafloral nectaries of a Spathoglottis plicata bud. Charles Darwin understood that extrafloral nectar "though small in quantity, is greedily sought by insects" but believed that "their visits do not in any way benefit the plant". [27]
Butterflies collecting nectar. In gardens, the presence of butterflies and hummingbirds is often encouraged. Butterflies are attracted by most good nectar sources, though there are particular plants they seem to prefer. Certain plants are also grown as a food source for their caterpillars. [6]
The fourth requirement is nectar for the butterflies. Monarchs enjoy the nectar from butterfly weed, swamp milkweed, lilac, red clover, tall verbena, lantana, goldenrod and thistle. Black ...
Two Spot swordtail butterflies (Graphium nomius) mud puddling for minerals. Nectar-feeding insects gain enough water from nectar to rarely need to drink, though adult butterflies and moths may engage in puddling in order to obtain dissolved substances not abundant in nectar, particularly salts and amino acids. [8]
2. Supplement with Annuals. While native plants should be the cornerstone of a butterfly garden, adding nectar-rich annuals can provide another vibrant and continuous food source throughout the ...
The ultraviolet communication system employed by butterflies is also used as an indicator of male sex to other rival males in the butterfly Colias eurytheme. In this species, only males are able to reflect ultraviolet light off the dorsal side of their wings, while females cannot. The male sexual behavior is similar to most butterflies.
Several species of butterflies need more sodium than that provided by nectar and are attracted by sodium in salt; they sometimes land on people, attracted by the salt in human sweat. Some butterflies also visit dung and scavenge rotting fruit or carcasses to obtain minerals and nutrients.
Butterfly-pollinated flowers tend to be large and showy, pink or lavender in colour, frequently have a landing area, and are usually scented. Since butterflies do not digest pollen (with one exception), more nectar is offered than pollen. The flowers have simple nectar guides with the nectaries usually hidden in narrow tubes or spurs, reached ...