In the larvae stage of a butterfly, commonly known as a caterpillar, the main source of food is leaves from specific host plants. Caterpillars are herbivorous and primarily consume the foliage of these plants, which provide the necessary nutrients for their growth and development. Some species are specialized feeders, relying on certain plants, while others can eat a wider variety. This feeding stage is crucial for accumulating energy and resources needed for metamorphosis into the adult butterfly.
milkweed
It is the Monarch's exclusive food source for their larvae.
A caterpillar is in the Larva stage. When it goes into it's cocoon it will be in the pupa stage. When it hatches, it will become a butterfly (and therefore be in the adult stage)
Insects can feed on leaves. It depends on the species and life stage of the insect. For example, caterpillars (butterfly larvae) feed on leaves, but the adult butterflies feed on nectar and will not eat leaves.
The cabbage butterfly larvae, also known as cabbage worms, feed on plants in the Brassicaceae family such as cabbage, broccoli, and kale. The adult cabbage butterfly feeds on flower nectar, but does not have a specific favorite food as it primarily focuses on mating and laying eggs.
Plants within the violet family (Violaceae) are what Hewitson's Glassy Legionnaire (Acraea admatha) butterfly seeks as larval food plants.Specifically, a larval food plant is the host plant to the butterfly in the larval stage. The butterfly lays eggs, which hatch into caterpillars. The caterpillars ultimately transition to the butterfly stage after passing through a pupal stage inside a chrysalis.
They are scavengers, their planktonic larvae are a big food source.
A butterfly's home is typically referred to as a "habitat." This can include various environments such as gardens, meadows, forests, and wetlands where they can find food, shelter, and mates. Caterpillars, the larval stage of butterflies, often have specific host plants that serve as their primary food source.
They find a food source for the larvae.
One fact about the Adonis blue butterfly is that their source of food is horseshoe vetch. When they are till larvae ants will protect them because the larvae secrete a sugar that feeds the ants.
The butterfly goes through many stages in its lifetime. It is only during the cocoon stage, that it stops eating completely.
The Monarch Butterfly (larvae) has adapted itself to eat milkweed plants, which are very bitter. Because of the food source, the butterfly begins to taste like milkweed to predators. This makes it so that predators don't want to eat them, and the butterfly is relatively protected from this type of predator. The Viceroy Butterfly has only adapted its color to that of the Monarch Butterfly, not its taste. This makes it unappealing to the same predators, thus increasing its chances of survival. This is known as Batesian Mimicry.