An area can be made more attractive to butterflies if it can provide the proper environment sought by the insects. Most butterflies prefer some shelter from high winds common along the Front Range and at the same time, open sunny areas. Windbreak types of plantings or other means of sheltering the butterfly garden can help provide a suitable physical environment. Maintaining a damp slightly salty area in the yard may attract groups of these butterflies. Adult female butterflies spend time searching for food plants required by the immature caterpillar stage.
Most butterflies have specific host plants on which they develop.
For example, caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly only develop on milkweed while the black swallowtail feeds only on parsley, dill and closely related plants. When females find the proper host plant, they may lay eggs on it. Most species, however, will fly away as adult butterflies. Food for adult butterflies usually consists of sweet liquids that provide needed energy sources, such as nectar from flowers. Some flowers contain more nectar thereby increasing their attractiveness to butterflies.