The UV light enables them to see hidden ultraviolet patterns on flower petals which guide them to the heart of the nectar source. Each species exhibits characteristic flight patterns - gliding swallowtails, darting skippers, graceful mourning cloaks. Males guard vantage points and drive out intruding males. Only males group around edges of water puddles. Puddling helps to replenish sodium salts spent during the mating process.
Butterflies are unable to fly if they are too cold.
Thus, some butterflies spend up to 80 percent of the day resting in a sunny spot to absorb the sun's energy in the form of flight enabling heat. Butterflies seek out protected spots to spend the night. A favorite roost is the underside of a leaf in a dense thicket or tree. Each stage has special food and environmental needs. Providing the right host plant in your garden is the most important step in creating a butterfly garden.