Adult butterflies eat by drinking nectar from plants, but there are some that eat rotting fruit. In fact, adult females lay eggs on a particular plant so that when the egg hatches, the plant serves as the source of food for the developing caterpillar.
Butterflies help plant reproduction by carrying pollen from plant to plant.
Only the bees are better pollinators than the butterflies. Scientists study butterflies because they are very visible and are a good example of other insects. They are also a good indicator of the condition of the environment. Silkworm moth pupae are a source for silk. They are important just because they are beautiful and people love to watch them.