Hi
,
We were recently in Vermont, and saw a strange sight - butterflies sitting together on the ground in the mud. In fact, they seemed to be so intent on what they were doing, that they didn't appear to be frightened by my presence at all. Indeed, I got on the ground and got so close with my phone/camera, that I was almost touching them! They seemed to be eating dirt!
Actually, what they're doing is called "mud-puddling". It's also typically the males that do this. They're absorbing salt and other minerals from the soil that they can't get from nectar. These minerals are necessary for reproduction and help ensure that the eggs the female lays will survive. When one butterfly finds an ideal spot on the ground with just the right moisture and various essential minerals, others of the
same species will spot it, and join in the action!
This is just another tiny tidbit in the amazing world of nature God allows us to observe and enjoy!
