Butterfly Nectar

Q: I am looking for a recipe for butterfly nectar. I have a couple of very nice glass butterfly feeder flower stakes but have no idea how to make the nectar.

A: Experienced butterfly fanciers are unconvinced that butterfly feeders attract or feed butterflies. One breeder warns against using a concentrated sugar solution like you’d use for hummingbirds. He recommends Gatorade(tm) spiked with with a few splashes of soy sauce. Rotting fruit is very attractive to butterflies. Place a saucer on a flat-topped post near your flower garden and put sliced bananas, apples and oranges in it. I think you’ll see more butterflies dining on the fruit than at your nectar feeder.

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