Host plants provide food for caterpillars and lure female butterflies into the garden to lay eggs. Provide damp areas or shallow puddles in the garden . Butterflies cannot drink from open water, but prefer damp areas and shallow puddles. Male butterflies will congregate at puddles. Place flat stones in the garden.
Butterflies often perch on stones, bare soil or vegetation, spread their wings and bask in the sun.
Basking raises their body temperatures so they are able to fly and remain active. Do not use pesticides in or near the garden. Most traditional garden pesticides are toxic to butterflies. Use predatory insects, insecticidal soap or hand remove the pests of problems occur. Become a butterfly watcher.