Q&A for How to Catch Butterflies

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How can one care for a butterfly found in winter?

Community Answer

Buy flowers with lots of nectar (try online sources if there are none locally available) and/or give it cut-up fruit to sup from. Make sure that the butterfly is kept warm in a little shelter. Expect the butterfly to sleep for 4 months, then once it wakes up you must release it into a garden because it will lay its eggs for the next generation, then die.

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Question

Can a butterfly grow its wings back?

Community Answer

No, a butterfly's wing will not grow back once it has come off.

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Question

Is there a special time of the day to catch butterflies?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

In the summer/spring, in the daytime/afternoon, depending on where you are.

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Question

Where can I find a butterfly?

Community Answer

Mostly, you find them where there are flowers. Woods and fields are good places to find buttefflies, but your backyard is a good option, too, if you've got flowers growing.

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Question

Can I use a cup to capture a butterfly?

Community Answer

You could use one to contain a butterfly once you've captured it with a net, but it would be difficult o capture one just with a cup.

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Question

Do butterflies like butterfly bushes or marigolds better?

Community Answer

Butterflies prefer buddliea (butterfly bush), but marigold takes up less space, if that's a concern of yours.

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Question

Why is there powder on my hand after touching a butterfly?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

Those are actually scales from the wings and are important to the butterfly. So don't rub a butterfly's wings!

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Question

How do I lure butterflies?

Grace Walthall

Community Answer

Think about what kind of butterfly you want to catch, and find out what kinds of flowers it is drawn to. Once you find out, plant those kinds of flowers.

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Question

Could I find butterflies in trees? How do I catch butterflies in trees?

Community Answer

Yes, there are butterflies that love the safety of trees. Catching them will be hard though, as you probably can't reach them as simply as when they are flying above the ground.

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Question

How do I know if a butterfly is sleeping or roosting?

Community Answer

It's wings are down and folded, and it should be on a warm rock in the shade or under a big leaf.

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Question

Can I use a small plastic bag to catch a butterfly?

Community Answer

The smaller the object you use to catch a butterfly, the harder it will be to actually catch them. A small plastic bag is not ideal. Plastic bags are also potentially harmful due to the lack of oxygen.

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Question

How do I catch a butterfly without a net?

Community Answer

You can easily lure a butterfly in with butterfly feeders or colorful flowers. You could make a butterfly trap or a butterfly house as well.

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Question

What type of butterflies should I get for my butterfly garden?

Community Answer

Good beginner types are painted ladies, red admirals and small tortoiseshells. These all feed on nettles as larvae.

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Question

Can I catch a butterfly with a plastic shopping bag?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. It’s just harder to do than using a net and you might damage the butterfly. It is also dangerous to the butterfly because unlike a net, it doesn’t have holes, so the butterfly cannot breathe.

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Question

Can I catch a butterfly by using a large jar?

Community Answer

Yes, but catching it with a net is your best option.

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Can I catch a butterfly with a plastic shopping bag?

Community Answer

No. A plastic shopping bag will suffocate the butterfly. Use a net instead.

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Question

Can I have a butterfly as a pet?

Community Answer

Butterflies are terrific pets as long as their special needs regarding flying space and food are met.

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