Mineral Junkies
Orange-Barred Sulphur and other butterflies eating minerals on river bank in Manú National Park.
Mud-puddling, or simply puddling, is a behaviour most conspicuous in butterflies, but occurs in other animals as well, mainly insects; they seek out nutrients in certain moist substances such as rotting plant matter, mud and carrion and they suck up the fluid. Where the conditions are suitable, conspicuous insects such as butterflies commonly form aggregations on wet soil, dung or carrion. From the fluids they obtain salts and amino acids that play various roles in their physiology, ethology and ecology.
Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, Manú National Park
Please don't use my images without my permission. All images © Aivar Mikko.
Mineral Junkies
Orange-Barred Sulphur and other butterflies eating minerals on river bank in Manú National Park.
Mud-puddling, or simply puddling, is a behaviour most conspicuous in butterflies, but occurs in other animals as well, mainly insects; they seek out nutrients in certain moist substances such as rotting plant matter, mud and carrion and they suck up the fluid. Where the conditions are suitable, conspicuous insects such as butterflies commonly form aggregations on wet soil, dung or carrion. From the fluids they obtain salts and amino acids that play various roles in their physiology, ethology and ecology.
Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, Manú National Park
Please don't use my images without my permission. All images © Aivar Mikko.