Butterflies are one of the most beautiful creatures of nature, and their attraction can be enjoyed not only by watching them fly, but also by studying their dietary habits. One interesting aspect of their diet is their preference for rotten fruit. Some species of butterflies stand out for their ability to find and feed on rotten fruit, which is a unique feature of their behavior.
Most butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers, but there are some that prefer more unusual food sources. Rotten fruits are an ideal food source for some types of butterflies. They are attracted by the smell and taste of foulbrood, which is formed when the fruit decomposes. Butterfly species such as pied and lemongrass actively seek out rotten fruit and lay their eggs on them.
It is interesting to note that rotten fruits not only serve as a food source for butterflies, but also play an important role in their life cycle. Rotten fruits provide ideal conditions for the reproduction and development of butterfly larvae. Rotten fruit contains enough nutrients to ensure the development of larvae and their transition to the pupal stage, and then to the adult butterfly.
Butterfly species and their dietary preferences
There is a huge variety of butterfly species, each of which has its own nutritional preferences. Some butterflies prefer to feed on the nectar of flowers, while others prefer rotten fruits.
Butterflies-candlesticks
Candlestick butterflies, also known as bromeliad butterflies, are one of the most beautiful and exotic species of butterflies. They prefer to feed on the nectar of flowers, especially bromeliad flowers. However, some types of candle butterflies may also feed on rotten or overripe fruit.
Piral butterflies
Piralka butterflies, also known as flywheel butterflies, prefer to feed on rotten fruit and other plant materials. They are often found near fruit trees or other places where rotten fruit can be found. Piralka butterflies have special sensitive receptors that help them detect rotten fruit at some distance.
Cabbage butterflies
Cabbage butterflies, also known as white cabbage butterflies, are pests of many crops. They prefer to eat leaves of cabbage and other plants of the cabbage family. However, in some cases, cabbage butterflies may also feed on the nectar of flowers.
In general, the nutritional preferences of different species of butterflies can vary greatly. Some species prefer flower nectar, others prefer rotten fruit or plant materials. This makes butterflies unique and interesting creatures that play an important role in the ecosystem.
White butterfly: loves sweet fruits
The white butterfly is one of the butterfly species that prefers sweet fruits in its diet. It is especially attracted to overripe and rotten fruits, as they contain more sugar and have a more intense smell. The white butterfly usually chooses fruits with bright colors, such as apples, pears, grapes, and apricots.
When a white butterfly finds a suitable fruit, it uses its long proboscis lip to suck the sweet juice out of it. She may also drink nectar from flowers if fruit is not available or scarce. The white butterfly has an excellent olfactory apparatus, which allows it to easily find and select suitable food sources.
The white butterfly is an important link in the food chain, as it carries pollen from one flower to another while it searches for food. This helps pollination of plants and provides diversity in the plant kingdom. In addition, the white butterfly serves as food for other animals such as birds and frogs.
Research shows that the white butterfly also prefers fruits that are high in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and potassium. These nutrients help the butterfly maintain its health and energy. Therefore, to attract white butterflies, you can offer them fruits rich in these important substances, such as oranges, strawberries and bananas.
Admiral: prefers overripe fruit
The Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) is a species of diurnal butterfly known for its attachment to feeding on fruits. Unlike other species, which can feed on both fresh and overripe fruits, the Admiral prefers overripe specimens.
The main reason for this preference is the higher sugar content of overripe fruit. As the fruits begin to dry out and undergo the fermentation process, their sugar content increases, making them more attractive to the Admiral.
Butterfly Admiral prefers fruits such as peaches, pears, apples and oranges that are on the verge of overripe. She perfectly smells fruits and can detect them at a great distance. When the Admiral finds a suitable fruit, she uses her long slit to reach inside and extract the sweet pulp.
It is important to note that the Admiral can also feed on the nectar of flowers, especially those that contain a lot of sugars. However, fruit remains the main food source for this butterfly species, especially during periods when the flowers are not in full bloom.
Cabbage: prefers rotten fruit
Cabbage butterflies are small butterflies that belong to the whitefly family. They are known for their attachment to rotten fruit as a food source. Cabbage butterflies are important pollinators for many plants, especially brassicas.
Kale have a specific preference for rotten fruit. They prefer fruits that are in the initial decay stage. This is due to the fact that rotten fruits release certain chemical compounds that attract cabbage bugs. They have sensitive receptors that help them detect these chemical signals and locate food sources.
Cabbage girls may also have a preference for certain types of fruit. For example, they may be more attracted to rotten apples or pears than to other types of fruit. This may be due to the difference in the chemical composition of different types of fruit and the ability of the cabbage to detect these differences.
It is important to note that cabbages are not parasites or pests of fruit trees. They simply use rotten fruit as a source of food. Cabbage bugs can also feed on flower nectar and other plant juices.
In general, cabbage bugs are interesting and useful creatures that help pollinate plants and restore the energy spent on reproduction by eating rotten fruit.
Peacock eye: feeds only on ripe fruit
The peacock eye is one of the butterfly species that has its own peculiarities in nutrition. This butterfly species prefers to feed only on ripe fruits. They are not interested in green, unripe fruits, as they do not contain enough nutrients necessary for the development and survival of these butterflies.
Peacock eye usually selects fruits that have an intense aroma and bright color. For example, they prefer ripe peaches, apricots, plums and other fruits with juicy and soft flesh. They may also feed on fruits such as apples and pears, but only if they are ripe and their scent attracts butterflies.
The peacock eye can also feed on the nectar of flowers, especially those that have bright and attractive colors. They may visit various types of flowers such as roses, lilies, tulips and others to replenish their supply of energy and nutrients.
Coral butterfly: prefers sweet and juicy fruits
The coral butterfly is a species of butterfly that prefers to feed on sweet and juicy fruits. These butterflies are distinguished by their bright coloration, reminiscent of the color of corals. They live in tropical forests and gardens, where they can find a rich variety of fruits.
One of the main preferences of coral butterflies is ripe fruits, which are high in sugar. They are especially attracted to brightly colored fruits such as oranges, mangoes and pomegranates. Such fruits contain not only sweet juice, but also many nutrients necessary for the growth and development of butterflies.
Coral butterflies can also feed on the nectar of flowers, which are sweet smelling and attractive. They often visit various types of flowers such as roses, lilies and gerberas to replenish their energy reserves. In addition, they can drink juice from quail berries and other fruits, which also contain a lot of sugar and vitamins.
In general, the coral butterfly is a real gourmet, preferring sweet and juicy fruits. Their food choices are highly dependent on the availability and quality of food resources in their environment. With enough suitable fruits, these butterflies can become real visitors to orchards and orchards, delighting the eye with the bright beauty of their coloring and iridescence on their wings.
Monarch: Feeds only on rotten fruit
The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most famous species of butterflies, which has its own special diet. A distinctive feature of the monarch's diet is its preference for rotten fruits. This means that monarchs do not eat fresh fruits, but only those that have begun to decompose and have acquired a putrid smell.
Monarchs' preference for rotten fruit is due to their unique digestive system. They have a specialized organ called a "rot cell" that allows them to digest and absorb nutrients from rotten foods. This organ is unique to monarchs and is not found in other butterfly species.
Feeding monarchs rotten fruit has its benefits. First, rotten fruits contain more sugars than fresh ones, which is a source of energy for butterflies. Secondly, rotten fruits attract more insects such as flies and wasps, which are an additional food source for monarchs.
However, despite their preferences, monarchs can also feed on the nectar of flowers. They visit the flowers of certain plants that contain nectar to get an extra helping of nutrients. But rotten fruit remains the main food source for monarchs, providing them with the nutrients they need to survive.
Pied-leaf: prefers ripe and sweet fruit
Variegated (lat. Caligo memnon) is one of the most beautiful and recognizable representatives of the Nymphalidae family. This type of butterfly has a bright coloration of the wings, which attracts the attention of many observers.
In nutritional preferences, the variegated plant is distinguished by its preference for ripe and sweet fruits. He prefers to eat fruits that contain a lot of sugars, such as bananas, mangoes, pears and peaches.
Pied-leaf can also eat rotten fruits, but ripe and sweet ones are preferred. This is because ripe fruits contain more nutrients and sugars, which are necessary for maintaining the energy and survival of the butterfly.
Studies have shown that the variegated fruit prefers fruits with bright colors, as they attract its attention more often. However, he may also consume less colorful fruits if they taste sweet.
English 
Russian 
Czech 
Danish 
German 
French 
Italian 
Spanish