Butterflies are very sensitive to changes in the environment, and help to warn us about unhealthy changes that may be taking place. Butterflies possess some truly remarkable traits. They are more sensitive to a broader range of light wave length than any other creature. 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.