國立自然科學博物館

蝴蝶在大眾形象中，喜愛在花間飛舞吸食花蜜，其實牠們也會在濕潤的地面上吸水，吸食濕地液體的通常是雄蝶。當有蝴蝶飛下去吸水後，其他雄蝶觀察沒有危險後也會跟進，形成集體吸水的畫面。雄蝶藉由吸水獲得鈉等鹽類，能夠增加求偶時的飛行時間，進而提高交配成功率，並且這些鹽分會作為聘禮，於交配時利用精莢將傳送至雌蝶體內。

It is commonly thought that butterflies feed on flower nectar. But, male butterflies also suck up water from wet surfaces. When one male butterfly flies to the ground to obtain water, other male butterflies, if sensing no danger, follow suit, forming a swarm. From the water, male butterflies obtain sodium and other salts, which they use to increase their flight time during courtship, thereby increasing their chances of mating. These salts are also nuptial gifts, as during mating males pass them onto females with their spermatophore.

劉佳明-蝴蝶趨泥的行為1

劉佳明-蝴蝶趨泥的行為2

劉佳明-蝴蝶趨泥的行為3