Milkweed contains toxins that the larvae can ingest without harm, but which makes the caterpillars unpalatable to predators. Butterflies may lay their eggs on or near the kind of plants on which the caterpillars feed. The caterpillar may prefer the leafy parts of a variety of host plants, including flowers, vines, shrubs, trees, and weeds. Unlike caterpillars, adult butterflies feed on a variety of nectar-producing flowers. You can observe them through late fall.
Butterflies are interesting to watch.
You may wish to view them in your butterfly garden and keep a record of which butterflies visit specific plants. Some of their interesting behaviors include the following. Nectaring Adult butterflies take nectar from many plants. The nectar is sipped through a long, straw-like proboscis that is usually kept coiled. The insects' feet have special taste receptors that can detect sweet liquids, causing the proboscis to uncoil when it comes in contact with the nectar.