Mud puddling is an interesting behavior seen in butterflies whereas a congregation is witnessed on a damp muddy ground, on animal excreta, decomposing vegetation or flesh. The butterflies are known to obtain nutrients from these materials, using their tube like sucking organ called proboscis.
As per a study conducted in Borneo in 1998, data was collected from two different locations, one each in a rain forest and on farmland. The locations in a rain forest attracted 227 individuals from 46 species and the one on a farmland attracted 534 individuals belonging to 54 species. Interestingly, it was observed that all these individuals, with one single exception, were male butterflies. The butterflies were recorded being attracted to sodium and albumin solutions that were offered as part of the experiment.
The nutrients, thus collected by male butterflies are passed on to the females of their species. The mud puddling is an essential physiological phenomenon recorded in butterflies and some other insects, by which they acquire nutrients for their reproductive success and flight.
These Spot Swordtail and Common Emigrant butterflies were observed mud puddling at Jim’s Jungle Retreat by our naturalist Jeewan Rautela.
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