It was a bright sunny morning, and I was surprised to see a congregation of small bright yellow butterflies sitting on the moist ground in my garden. As I went a little closer, I could recognise the group of the Common Grass Yellow Butterflies (Eurema hecabe). This species has always fascinated me because of its ability to change colour with the seasons. Their yellow wings are slightly darker in winter to help them survive the cold and absorb heat.

I wondered what kind of discussion was taking place amongst them. Was it some kind of a refreshing mud bath on a spa day? I researched a little and found that it is nothing like that. They were feeding off the moist surface.

Butterflies and some other insects sit on damp soil and dung to extract salts and nutrients. The nectar that nectarivores drink from flowers is mainly composed of sugar, depriving them of other nutrients needed to fulfil life processes. In some species, male butterflies that consume salts have been observed to have greater mating success than males that don’t consume salts. The excess sodium and amniotic oil acids collected are often transferred to the female, helping her eggs survive.

Wasp moth mud-puddling on wet earth.

Lemon pansy butterfly(Junonia lemonias).

Red Poirrot