I found some information of what I was looking for about making Butterfly Brew. This can be brushed or poured on a piece of hanging wood to attract butterflies:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/butterfly/msg0808524415772.html?17

~Becky~


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Oh, this is good.

I also saw a link for a butterfly feeder. They mentioned not to put this brew in the feeder. But I am wondering, do you have a butterfly feeder??

Linsey
MN
USDA hardiness zone 4b
Heat zone 5
Sunset zone 43

Linsey - I don't have a butterfly feeder because it would probably attract too many wasps. A screen bird feeder like this one would be great for placing fruit in to attract some species of butterflies:

http://www.bird-house-bath.com/d/Hanging-Screen-Tray.html

~Becky~


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Yes, that would work. I have a horrible wasp problem. But I figure I'd like to see if the brew would do any good.

Linsey
MN
USDA hardiness zone 4b
Heat zone 5
Sunset zone 43

Linsey - Me, too! Always worth trying a new approach to attracting butterflies!

~Becky~


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Not sure if any of y'all are members of Dave's...if so, I have a nice selection of photos of fruit feasters...butterflies that feed on butterfly brew, rotting fruit and other stuff like cow poo, scat, owl upchuck etc.

http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/TexasPuddyPrint/12610/

Although I am a moderator for this forum work keeps me busy and I don't get to frequent it as often as I'd like. So when I do I try to catchup on everyone's psts.

Y'all are doing a wonderful job sharing your butterfly and caterpillar photos and knowledge!!!

~ Cat (Edinburg, TX - Lower Rio Grande Valley)

Ah, cow poo, scat, owl upchuck...makes me want to kiss a butterfly!

Thanks Cat! There are so many wonderful ideas on your link!! It's perfect!

Cat - Very good link!!! Thanks for sharing that with us!

I got the new issue of Garden Gate in the mail today. In it, they have a recipe for butterfly nectar that looks like a very healthy nectar:

Recipe:

Stir a 20 oz. sports drink (Vitaminwater is good)and 2 cups of white cane sugar together in a pan. Bring mix to a boil and remove it from the heat. After it cools, add 2 Tablespoons of regular soy sauce. (The amino acids and enzymes in soy sauce help keep butterflies healthy.) Serve immediately. Store left-overs in refrigerator for up to 3 months.

I think I am going to try this recipe!

Soy sauce? Interesting! They might just like that for the saltiness. Let us know how it works out...I think we have too many alcoholic butterflies in south Texas!!!

~ Cat (Edinburg, TX - Lower Rio Grande Valley)

Cat - Alcoholic butterflies??? From the fermented brew? LOL!