mud puddle

Mud-puddling ... the 

butterfly's dirty little secret

Butterflies and moths regularly congregate around mud, dung and even blood, tears or decaying flesh! Little is known about this behaviour, but there are a couple of interesting observations that may help explain the icky phenomenon.

the majority of specimens found near mud are males and quite often, while the butterfly blokes are drinking from the mud

seem to indicate that the butterflies are probably not there simply to absorb water, but rather to look for something else.

https://www.earthtouchnews.com/in-the-field/backyard-wildlife/mud-puddling-the-butterflys-dirty-little-secret/

CURIOSITY AT HOME 

BUTTERFLY PUDDLE STATION

Have you ever noticed butterflies gathering on puddles after a rainstorm? You can help create a healthy habitat for these important pollinators by creating an artificial mud puddle station for your yard or garden.

Pacific Science Center

https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/CuriosityAtHome_Biology-ButterflyPuddle_Activity.pdf