What is mud-puddling?

There are species of butterflies and moths that like mud-puddling.

Mud-puddling involves feeding on wet soil, mud, dead animals, and animal manure – usually in groups, called aggregations. The butterflies suck up the liquid because it contains nutrients.

Mud-puddling usually happens after rain.

In most species of butterflies, males and females mud-puddle, and in other species, only the male mud-puddles. The liquid is released out of their body, which attracts females.

Some other insects, such as leafhoppers and bees, also like mud-puddling.

Mud-puddling butterflies

Mud-puddling butterflies

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM