Puddling
Puddling is when a butterfly is drinking from a muddy area. They are taking in both water and minerals. Males do it more than females because the intake of salts and other minerals helps with production of pheromones & sperm. The males pass along the sodium & nutrients to the females as a nuptial gift when mating. And it increases the survival rate of the eggs.
Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Puddling
Puddling is when a butterfly is drinking from a muddy area. They are taking in both water and minerals. Males do it more than females because the intake of salts and other minerals helps with production of pheromones & sperm. The males pass along the sodium & nutrients to the females as a nuptial gift when mating. And it increases the survival rate of the eggs.
Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com