Butterfly question

[cooperhill]

There were hundreds of these butterflies (I'm told they are White Admirals) on Sawyer River Road in the White Mountains yesterday. Does anyone know why they would be on the road? Salt?

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

No expert...

but what I understand, and I could be wrong, is that they are after enzymes in the soil. I have seen them flock (?) to a spot where an animal (or human) has pee'd.

KDT

 

[DougPaul]

but what I understand, and I could be wrong, is that they are after enzymes in the soil. I have seen them flock (?) to a spot where an animal (or human) has pee'd.

My understanding is that they are after minerals and/or salt. Urine, of course, contains salt.

Doug

 

[brianW]

My understand is that they are after minerals and/or salt. Urine, of course, contains salt.

Doug

This is correct. You will also see butterflies on scat getting minerals and salt.

 

[Barkingcat]

There were hundreds of these butterflies (I'm told they are White Admirals) on Sawyer River Road in the White Mountains yesterday. Does anyone know why they would be on the road? Salt?

Butterflies tend to cluster ("puddle," as it's sometimes called) in search of nutrients -- protein, amino acids, sodium, and nitrogen. It's primarily the male of the species that does this.

(And yes, those are indeed White Admirals.)

 

[paul ron]

Well that explains why they like landing on people's noses too.

 

[roadtripper]

dozens of these guys seen in the Hancock trailhead parking area on the Kang today as well

 

[erugs]

I have a picture of them on scat on the Livermore Trail two weeks ago.

 

[kiteflyer]

I saw a number of clusters of these on Tunnel Brook road when I hiked Moosiluake on 7/1. I guess they were getting around that day. Dave