Since kindergarten we have been told that butterflies eat nectars from the flowers to fuel their agile little body. They use their modified mouth that forms a straw to suck the nutritious nectar from the flower they can get hold of. But what do butterflies eat instead of nectar? Or do they even eat at all?

Don't shrug the latter question as being absurd because indeed butterflies can live their short lifespan without eating. They get their energy from the stored fats they formed while they were still caterpillars. But, they do drink liquids; and for that, nectar is one as well as water, juices from rotting fruits, mineral-rich puddle water, and even the liquids from manure pile.

If you want to attract butterflies in your garden, the consideration is not so much on concocting the best nectar substitute you can make but rather attracting them using the right colored dishes. Butterflies can only see high-frequency colors, that is to say colors that reflect high UV such as blue. But, your butterfly feeder dish may not be colored blue as long as it reflects the most UV; butterflies are still attracted to it.

For variety though, you could also place juicy fruits in your garden because any liquid will attract butterflies. Now that you've answered your question what do butterflies eat, you're ready to create your butterfly garden.