Forcing blood into the tube straightens it out, allowing butterflies to feed on liquids. They get all of their food through this tube, which limits them to nectar and standing water. Like most insects, butterflies are very near-sighted and are more attracted to large stands of one type of flower than those planted singly. Groups of flowers with bright, contrasting colors will help to attract butterflies. Large, single upright blooms provide a landing area that makes extracting the nectar easier.
Female butterflies look for specific species of plants to lay their eggs.
After the larva, which looks like a tiny caterpillar, emerges from the egg it begins to eat the plant. Having plants in the garden for larval food is important for the continued development of the butterfly into an adult. Caterpillars must crawl out of the skin or molt, usually around five times, before changing into a pupa. Finally, an adult butterfly emerges, spreads its wings and flies away. If butterfly caterpillars are eating excessive amounts of foliage on a plant, then move them to another less-noticeable portion of the plant.