Butterfly Pollination

In this article, you'll learn all about how butterflies pollinate flowers: what flowers they prefer, how they gather pollen, the benefits of their hard work, and more! 

Do Butterflies Pollinate?

Butterflies love flowers and are effective pollinators! Butterflies are attracted to flowers with brightly colored petals and a flat landing surface, where they can easily access nectar. They prefer flowers such as milkweed, butterfly bush, and verbena. Compared to bees, which have much more compact and fuzzy bodies, butterflies are not able to gather as much pollen, as it mostly collects on their long skinny legs. However, butterflies visit the outer edges of the flower, while bees only ever seek the inside center. This means that butterflies pollinate an estimated 50% more as they land on parts of the flower that a bee never visits! 

What is the Role of Butterflies in Pollination?

Butterflies are primarily nectar feeders and play a role in pollination through their foraging behavior. They are attracted to flowers with bright colors and a flat landing surface, where they can easily access nectar with their long proboscis. When a butterfly feeds, its proboscis unfurls and reaches deep into the flower to extract nectar. As it does so, the butterfly's body inadvertently brushes against the flower's reproductive organs, picking up pollen grains.

For example, when a butterfly visits a milkweed flower, it uses its proboscis to reach into the flower's structure, where pollen sacs called pollinia may attach to its body. As the butterfly moves between flowers, it transfers pollen from one plant to another, aiding in cross-pollination. Similarly, butterflies like the Monarch butterfly interact with the milkweed family in a process that is beneficial.

What Types of Plants and Flowers Do Butterflies Pollinate?

Butterflies pollinate a wide variety of plants and flowers, typically favoring those with characteristics that suit their feeding and mating behaviors. They are particularly attracted to flowers that are brightly colored, have a strong fragrance, and provide a flat landing surface.

Economic Benefits of Butterfly Pollination

Butterflies contribute to the US economy through various avenues, primarily in the realm of ecotourism and agricultural productivity. Ecotourism focused on butterfly watching attracts enthusiasts to butterfly habitats, generating revenue for local economies through visitor spending on accommodations, guides, and related services. Additionally, butterflies play a significant role as pollinators in ecosystems and agricultural settings. While they may not directly pollinate major crops like bees do, they contribute to the pollination of wildflowers and native plants, which support diverse ecosystems and contribute indirectly to crop pollination by supporting healthy ecosystems. Overall, butterflies contribute to the economic value by enhancing biodiversity, supporting ecotourism industries, and contributing to the overall health of ecosystems that sustain agriculture and natural resources.

Declining Butterfly Populations and Pollination