Hummingbirds and butterflies have a lot in common when it comes to their food sources. Both are drawn to brightly colored, nectar-producing flowers. But do butterflies actually go after the nectar in hummingbird feeders? Let’s take a closer look at the eating habits of these insects to find out.
The diet of butterflies
Butterflies are insects in the order Lepidoptera. There are over 17,500 species of butterflies worldwide, all of which subsist primarily on liquid food sources. Their diet consists mainly of:
- Flower nectar – Butterflies sip sugary nectar from flowers using their long, tubular proboscis (tongue). This provides them with the carbohydrates they need for energy.
- Fruit juices – Butterflies will also feed on the juices of damaged or decaying fruits.
- Tree sap – Some species drink the sugary sap of trees.
- Rotting animal matter – In some cases, butterflies acquire nutrients from rotting meat, carcasses, dung, and urine.
So in essence, butterflies need to consume high-energy liquid food sources to survive and stay active. Their taste preferences draw them to anything sweet, from flower nectar to ripe fruits.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds are small, fast-flying birds that have uniquely adapted to feed on sugary nectar. Their diet consists of:
- Flower and plant nectar – Hummingbirds use their slender, tube-like beaks to reach nectar deep within flowers. They prefer red tubular flowers.
- Small insects and spiders – They get essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals by eating tiny insects along with their nectar diet.
- Sap – Some hummingbirds puncture holes in tree bark to feed on the sap that oozes out.
- Pollen – They’ll consume pollen grains while feeding on nectar.
- Artificial nectar – At feeders, they can live off a liquid diet of sucrose-based hummingbird food.
Hummingbirds have to consume a massive amount of calories each day relative to their tiny size. Their fast metabolism and constant activity require them to eat frequently to maintain their high energy level.
Similarities and differences in food sources
When you compare the dietary needs of hummingbirds versus butterflies, some clear similarities emerge:
- Both species feed on flower nectar as a primary energy source.
- They eat sap and fruit juice for the sugars these provide.
- Their liquid-based diets consist mainly of sweets – sucrose, fructose, and glucose.
However, there are also some distinct differences between the two creatures:
- Hummingbirds have a much higher metabolism and must eat more frequently.
- Butterflies can’t feed on plain sucrose water; they need micro-nutrients in flower nectar.
- Hummingbirds have beaks suited for probing flowers; butterflies have proboscises.
- Hummingbirds consume more additional protein from small insects.
Overall, their nutritional requirements are similar but not identical when it comes to carb and sugar sources.
Are butterflies attracted to hummingbird feeders?
Because of the overlap between butterflies’ and hummingbirds’ diets, you might logically wonder if butterflies are enticed by hummingbird nectar and feeders.
The answer seems to be both yes and no.
Butterflies can be attracted to the sugar-water solution (sucrose and water) in hummingbird feeders. The sweet artificial nectar is right up their alley in terms of taste. And they will sometimes drink from these feeders if the opportunity presents itself.
However, butterflies do not appear to be primarily drawn to typical hummingbird feeders when natural flowering plants and trees are available. There are a few reasons this manmade nectar source doesn’t appeal much to them compared to flowers:
- The nutrients are less complete – Whereas flower nectar offers amino acids, lipids, minerals, etc., white sucrose has none of these.
- The concentration may be too high – 20%-25% sucrose is thicker and sweeter than the average flower.
- The setup deters butterflies – Feeders are designed specifically for hummingbird beaks and tongues, not butterfly proboscises.
- Location is less convenient than flowers – Feeders are stationary, often suspended in midair, unlike flowers.
That said, oriole feeders with honey mixed into the nectar can be more prone to butterfly visitors. And in early spring or late fall when fewer flowers are in bloom, they are more likely to investigate feeders.
Overall though, butterflies tend to satisfy their carb cravings mostly from flowers. They will resort to fruit, tree sap, and other sugars if flowers become scarce.
Impact of butterflies on hummingbird feeders
You may see an occasional butterfly stopping by your hummingbird feeder. But they tend to cause minimal problems, especially compared to true nectar bandits like bees.
Here are some effects butterflies can have on feeders:
- Reduce nectar volume – Butterflies drink the nectar right along with hummingbirds.
- Possible contamination – Butterflies could theoretically transmit mold, fungi, or bacteria between flowers and feeders.
- Cause crowding – Lots of butterflies clustered on a feeder may impede hummingbird access.
Despite these potential issues, butterflies tend to visit feeders sporadically in small numbers, so their impact is negligible. The benefits they offer gardens far outweigh any minor nuisances.
To discourage butterflies if they become problematic, try repositioning feeders or using a guard. Switching to a richer nectar solution may also help.
Tips for excluding butterflies from feeders
If you want to gently dissuade butterflies from drinking all your hummer nectar, here are a few tactics:
- Use a feeder guard or mesh – A cage-like guard with narrow openings blocks butterflies while allowing hummingbird beaks in.
- Elevate feeders – Butterflies prefer to feed closer to flowers near the ground.
- Remove nearby flowers – Butterfly bushes and flowering plants can attract them to your yard and feeders.
- Switch nectar – Try increasing sugar ratio to 1:3 or 1:4, or add a nutritional supplement.
- Move feeders often – Butterflies locate feeders by sight, unlike hummingbirds.
Again though, sharing your nectar buffet with butterflies is usually not an issue. Avoid deterrents that could harm pollinators.
Conclusion
Butterflies and hummingbirds both feast on flower nectar in the wild. So it’s understandable that butterflies could be tempted by the sweet artificial nectar in hummingbird feeders, especially when flowers are scarce.
However, butterflies seem to prefer flowers to feeders overall when given a choice. Feeders don’t offer much nutritional value beyond sugars. And their setup caters more to hummingbirds’ needs.
While you may see an occasional butterfly visitor, they tend to cause minimal disruption. Allowing some nectar sharing can contribute to a rich backyard ecosystem that supports all pollinators.
