Butterflies are attracted to flowers for several reasons. The bright colors and fragrances of flowers help butterflies locate them, and the nectar produced by flowers provides food for butterflies. Certain flower characteristics, like shape and color patterns called “nectar guides,” have evolved to attract pollinators like butterflies. There are also complex relationships between specific butterflies and flowers that have developed over time. Understanding what attracts butterflies to flowers can help gardeners design butterfly-friendly habitats.
Bright Colors
One of the main things that attracts butterflies to flowers is their bright colors. Butterflies have excellent color vision compared to other insects, which allows them to spot flowers more easily. They can see colors ranging from red to violet, allowing them to detect the vivid pigments in petals. Some of the colors that are most attractive to butterflies include:
- Red – Butterflies are drawn to red flowers, like bee balm and cardinal flower.
- Orange – Butterflies gravitate toward orange flowers, like butterfly weed and zinnias.
- Yellow – Yellow flowers, like black-eyed Susans and sunflowers, appeal to butterflies.
- Pink – Colors in the pink family, like phlox and petunias, attract butterflies.
- Purple – Hues like lavender and lilac found in flowers like asters and coneflowers appeal to butterflies.
These bright flower colors stand out against green foliage, making them easy for butterflies to spot from a distance. The pigments that produce these vibrant hues are beneficial antioxidants for the butterflies as well.
Flower Scent
In addition to bright colors, the scents produced by flowers allure butterflies. Butterflies detect scents using chemoreceptors located on their antennae and mouthparts. Floral fragrances guide butterflies toward nectar sources that will provide them with nourishment. Flowers produce perfume compounds called terpenes and phenylpropanoids to create their characteristic scents. Different butterfly species are attracted to different floral scents. Some especially fragrant flowers that lure butterflies include:
- Lilacs – The sweet scent attracts swallowtail butterflies.
- Lantana – The fruity fragrance attracts sulphurs and skippers.
- Butterfly bush – The strong, sweet aroma lures in a variety of butterflies.
- Lavender – The pleasant scent entices hairstreaks and skippers.
- Dianthus – The spicy clove fragrance attracts blues, coppers, and hairstreaks.
Research shows butterflies navigate using scent trails. They can detect the scents of flowers more than a kilometer away. Stronger fragrances advertise greater amounts of nectar, grabbing butterflies’ attention from further distances.
Nectar Food Source
At their core, butterflies are attracted to flowers for their nectar. Nectar is an energy-rich food source butterflies need for nourishment. It contains sugars like sucrose, fructose, and glucose to provide quick energy. Butterflies drink nectar through their long, tubular proboscis mouthparts. They prefer flowers with ample nectar volumes and higher sugar concentrations. Some nectar-rich butterfly favorites include:
- Mexican sunflower – Abundant nectar appeals to monarchs and queens.
- Lantana – Prolific nectar production attracts a variety of butterfly species.
- Butterfly bush – The high nectar content lures in many butterflies.
- Aster – The copious nectar sustains painted ladies and skippers.
- Zinnia – The plentiful nectar nourishes swallowtails and sulphurs.
Butterflies get most of their nutrition from flower nectar. They need the carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes found dissolved in nectar. Finding and consuming enough nectar is essential for butterflies to power flight and stay active.
Flower Shape
Butterflies are also drawn to flowers with certain shapes. Flowers pollinated by butterflies tend to have a flat shape with an open, landing pad-like area. This allows butterflies easy access to the nectar reward inside. Some butterfly-friendly flower shapes include:
- Clusters – Flowers clustered together like asters allow butterflies to hop between blooms.
- Umbels – Umbel flowers like milkweed have nectar readily available for butterflies.
- Composites – Daisies and sunflowers have compact composite flower heads that appeal to butterflies.
- Tubular – Tubular flowers let butterflies reach nectar with their long proboscis.
Butterflies favor flowers with wide openings that can accommodate their wingspan when landing. Limited landing space deters butterflies from visiting very tubular or cup-shaped flowers. Selecting flowers with accessible shapes makes nectar foraging easier for butterflies.
Nectar Guides
Flowers also use visual cues called nectar guides to entice butterfly visitors. Nectar guides are lines, dots, or patches of contrasting colors that point the way to the nectar reward. They help butterflies orient themselves on flowers and locate food sources more efficiently. Some common nectar guide patterns include:
- Stripes – Vertical stripes guide butterflies’ movement and probing.
- Bulls-eye marks – Concentric circles lead butterflies to nectaries.
- Contrasting edges – Bicolored petals outline the target landing area.
- UV patterns – Guiding lines and rings invisible to humans.
These conspicuous markers provide important visual cues that make flowers stand out. Studies show butterflies learn and preferentially visit flowers displaying nectar guide patterns.
Flower Preferences of Butterfly Species
While many flowers attract butterflies, some butterflies have innate preferences for certain flower types or characteristics. These co-evolved relationships help ensure effective pollination. Some examples of butterfly flower preferences include:
| Butterfly | Preferred Flowers |
|---|---|
| Monarch | Milkweed, lantana, zinnias, asters |
| Swallowtail | Lilac, milkweed, butterfly bush, dianthus |
| Sulphur | Lantana, cosmos, clover, vetches |
| Hairstreak | Milkweed, thistles, lilac, asters |
| Fritillary | Thistles, coneflowers, violets, passionflowers |
These preferential relationships ensure nectar and pollen gets transported between specific co-dependent species. This flower constancy makes pollination more effective.
Native Plants
Incorporating native plants into gardens and landscapes is key for attracting local butterflies. Native plants are those that originated and adapted to a specific region. They provide vital sources of nectar for native pollinators. Some top native plants for luring butterflies include:
- Milkweed – Supports monarchs and queens.
- Coneflowers – Attracts swallowtails and painted ladies.
- Lupine – Draws in hairstreaks and skippers.
- Asters – Appeals to skippers, sulphurs, and fritillaries.
- Verbena – Entices swallowtails and blues.
Choosing a variety of regional native flowers provides diverse options to appeal to many butterfly species. Local native plants have also adapted to match local butterfly pollination needs.
Multi-Season Blooms
Providing flowers that bloom from spring through fall helps sustain butterflies throughout their active seasons. Different butterfly species fly at different times, and migratory butterflies need continued nectar fuel along their journeys. Some examples of multi-season bloomers include:
- Spring – crocuses, hyacinths, pansies
- Summer – coneflowers, zinnias, bee balm
- Fall – asters, sedum, mums
Combining early, mid, and late seasonal bloomers ensures butterflies have an ongoing nectar source. Allowing some flowers to go to seed also provides extra nutrition for butterflies.deadheading prolongs bloom periods too.
Clusters and Drifts
Mass planting flowers densely in drifts or clusters makes them more visible and appealing to butterflies. Butterflies notice larger groupings of color more easily. Planting in clusters also reduces the energy butterflies expend foraging between plants. Drift planting involves arranging plants in sweeping curved groups. Ideas for plants to cluster or drift include:
- Milkweed
- Lantana
- Verbena
- Aster
- Bee balm
Clustering the same flower variety draws more butterflies per plant. Combining drifts of different flowering species extends the bloom season. The greater density attracts more butterfly activity and makes a more dramatic visual statement.
Shelter
Butterflies also need places to rest, roost, and take shelter, especially from wind. Planting flowers near structures, trees, and shrubs provides protective landing areas. Some examples include:
- Planting near fences, walls, or trellises
- Near hedges or shrub borders
- Beside large boulders or rock walls
- Under the canopy of trees
Dappled sunlight, cool conditions, and reduced air movement help butterflies conserve energy. Less exposed sites allow butterflies to feed longer without overheating or being buffeted by winds. Strategic flower placement provides vital refuge areas.
Raised Flower Beds
Elevating flowers makes them more visible and easier for butterflies to locate and access. Raised beds place flowers at optimal heights for butterflies. Some ideal heights include:
- 1-2 feet tall – Visible from a distance and suits perching.
- 3-4 feet tall – Allows easy midair access for feeding.
- 5-6 feet tall – Reaches tree canopy level where butterflies fly.
Raised beds also improve growing conditions by providing well-draining soil, allowing earlier bloom times. They make tending flowers simpler too. Positioning beds near brush piles, rocks, fences or buildings adds shelter.
Rotting Fruit
Allowing a few fallen fruits to rot in gardens provides an important mineral source for butterflies. Rotting fruits like peaches, bananas, and melons release sugars, salts, and amino acids. Butterfly species like red admirals, question marks, and mourning cloaks seek out the nutrients in rotting fruit. Letting some windfalls decompose in place supplements butterflies’ nutritional needs. Just monitor fruit number and location to avoid mess or pest issues.
Water Sources
Providing fresh water sources attracts butterflies to gardens. Butterflies cannot drink from open water sources. They ingest water from puddles, wet sand, mud, or damp soil. Some tips for adding water for butterflies include:
- Place large flat stones in shallow plant saucers.
- Add a few wet pebbles to water basins.
- Provide water-filled containers with fruit slices.
- Install drippers or misters over gravel beds.
- Maintain a small wet mud puddle area.
Locate these in sunny spots sheltered from winds. The moisture provides needed hydration and beneficial minerals for butterflies.
Open Areas
Leaving open ground areas allows basking, sunning, and congregating spots for butterflies. Butterflies often gather in large groups on bare soil, sand, or flat rocks to warm their wing muscles. Maintaining some open habitat also provides:
- Dusting spots – Butterflies gather minerals from drying mud.
- Sunning spots – Wings oriented perpendicular to the sun.
- Hilltopping areas – Open rises attract some species.
Clearings near trees and shrubs offer sheltered spots to soak up sunlight. Keep some exposed habitat amongst planted areas for butterfly sun therapy.
Conclusion
Butterflies and flowers have an intricate, interdependent relationship. Flowers rely on butterflies for pollination and seed dispersal. Butterflies in turn depend on nectar as their primary food source. Through co-evolution, flowers have adapted colors, scents, shapes, and nectar guides that powerfully attract butterflies. And butterflies have developed preferences for certain flowers that meet their ecological needs. By understanding these interactions, gardeners can create an ideal environment that meets butterflies’ habitat needs. Choosing the right plants, designs, and features attracts more butterflies, bringing beauty and life to gardens.
