Q&A for How to Feed Butterflies

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How do I keep ants away from my feeder?

Shweta Sharma
Biologist
Shweta Sharma is a Biologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With nearly ten years of experience, she specializes in insect management, integrated pest management, insect behavior, resistance management, ecology, and biological control. She earned her PhD in Urban Entomology and her MS in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. She also holds a BS in Agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Nepal.

Shweta Sharma

Biologist

Expert Answer

My first tip would be to put some kind of sticky substance in the feeder where the ants are climbing it from. Other than that, you could try putting water on it.

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Question

How do you feed butterflies sugar water?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Make a solution of 3 teaspoons of sugar to 1 cup of water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to dissolve all the sugar. Use a dropper to soak a cotton ball with the solution, then place the cotton ball in your butterfly’s habitat. The butterfly will sip sugar water from the cotton ball with its proboscis.

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How soon do butterflies need to eat?

wikiHow Staff Editor
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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Your butterfly probably won’t eat for the first 24 hours after it emerges from its chrysalis, but it should be ready to eat by the next day.

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Question

Can you keep butterflies as pets?

wikiHow Staff Editor
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wikiHow Staff Editor

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Butterflies need plenty of space to fly around, so it’s usually better to release them into the wild a few days after they emerge (as long as they are native to your area). If you choose to keep the butterfly, you’ll need to keep it in the largest habitat you can manage—ideally, a captive butterfly should have access to a whole room, but this might not be safe or practical in your home. The habitat needs to have mesh or net walls so the butterfly won’t damage its wings battering against them.

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Question

How can I tell when a butterfly is hungry and wants to eat?

Bestie101

Community Answer

They will wiggle their right antenna up and down, and then the left one will either vibrate or do the same. Then they will rub one of their legs on the surface they're on.

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Question

Can I do this with moths as well?

NectarBoy

Community Answer

It depends on the species. Adult moths usually eat nectar, like butterflies, so similar methods may work. However, many do not eat once they reach adulthood, so do research on your type of moth before attempting to feed it.

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Question

How do I feed Painted Lady butterflies?

Community Answer

Butterflies feed on nectar, and you can make a sugar water solution for them to drink, just as you would with a hummingbird. They will also lick water off glass. I suggest using a small water dish with sugar water, attach it to something for them to climb on, and put a strainer over it (attach securely) so they can stick their proboscis through the holes to get the fluid without falling in and drowning.

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Question

My butterfly isn't showing any signs of hunger and won't eat; it seems weak.

Community Answer

I'm not sure what you currently feed your butterfly, but you could try offering it different foods. Butterflies usually like oranges, grapefruit, bananas, apples and cantaloupe!

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Question

I found a monarch washed up on the beach. He is caked in sand. Is it safe to rinse him with a spray bottle of water?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you don't damage the wings. Make sure he is alive first.

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Question

Can I use honey mixed in water?

Community Answer

There are many types of food that will feed butterflies well. Fruit juice, 15% honey water, 15% sugar water, or Gatorade are the easiest.

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Question

What type of fruit should I give my butterfly?

SunPuppy

Community Answer

Butterflies can eat many types of fruit, including oranges, grapefruit, peaches, strawberries, and bananas. Wait for the fruit to rot, as butterflies enjoy rotting fruit, and then cut them into slices for your butterfly to enjoy.

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How often should I feed a hurt monarch butterfly?

MidnightBlue1_1

Top Answerer

Butterflies eat different amounts at many different times during the day. It is never the same and can vary from a few hours to many hours. If your butterfly struggles to eat, offer the butterfly food at least once each day.

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Question

One of my butterflies hatched with small wings and they haven't gotten any bigger yet. It this a deformity or will it get better? If it doesn't get better, then how can I help it?

Community Answer

Do you know what species it is? If it is not supposed to have small wings, then you could feed it sugary drinks like juices. Make sure it is not near the other butterflies in case it is spreading a disease.

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Question

My swallowtail butterfly isn't eating, not even with the toothpick and I'm not sure that to do?

Emma Mckay

Community Answer

Offer it a different food. He/she might be bored of the same food, or not like it. Swallowtails love citrus, a butterfly favorite amongst all species is rotting grapefruit. If she/he still doesn't eat ,then maybe try holding down the proboscis again for longer. Careful, as they are such delicate creatures though!

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My butterflies aren’t eating. What do I do or what am I not doing?

Community Answer

Some bugs (like praying mantises) like to eat only when people aren't watching them. This may be true of your butterflies.

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