Butterfly in search of food….

Hi there…

I thought this would be a good little documentary on how a butterfly got access to nectar in a flower that have yet to bloom. This is a short series of photos taken back in one of the local parks. Its a plain tiger butterfly.
Here are the photos.
1- The butterfly identify the flower that its going to work on. It looked around to make sure there are no predators like spiders.
Normally spiders will be hiding below these flowers to pounce on the butterflies as they feed.

2- The butterfly uses its two tiny little claws to severe the surface of the petal of the closed flower. It randomly make little slits
that slowly opens up little holes for it to gain access to the nectar within.

3- The holes were created on both sides in this case probably with both the two front legs. Once the holes were made, they then slowly stick out their long straw into the flower to take in the nectar.

Well, it rather interesting that at this particular time & weather, there wasn’t many flower of the same type blooming nearby. There were a few new buds only on the bush.
The butterfly put such great effort to actually scratch its way with the little claws at the ends of its legs. Its a really an interesting sight.
Well, hope this short documentary adds on to your knowledge bank.

Regards,
Sulhan