Its very simple and easy to answer the question what do butteflies eat. Butterflies as such do not eat anything but consume few liquids. Butterflies have along tube present in their mouth which acts like a drinking straw which is termed as proboscis. Many butterflies are seen congregating in wet areas to drink and gather nutrients. Butterflies sit on the top of the flower to drink the nectar present in flowers. In this way they gather all the nutrients required for them to live. But the caterpillars of butterflies eat plant parts and leaves. Butterflies have the capability of tasting the nectar with their feet where the sensors are present on them. Butterflies drink all the soluble liquids. They enjoy the sodium which is present in salt.

Butterflies are said to be the vibrant beauty in this world. Butterflies like the nectar of sunflowers, zinnias, beauty bush, cone flowers and lilac. Children may be very curious to know what do butterflies eat. The anatomy of butterflies has been designed by nature quite interestingly. The life cycle of a butterfly crosses four stages namely: first it is in the form of egg and the egg changes into caterpillar. The third stage is the pupa and finally it changes into a butterfly. In the last stage of complete development into a butterfly, they sip out liquids.

Maximum nutrients or the supply of food is done only during the period of caterpillar stage. At this stage they try to consume large amounts of food. Butterflies are found in this world in a variety of patterned designs which amaze the people. Butterflies are mostly seen in gardens. These gorgeous species attract the gardeners to a great extent. Butterflies consume the liquids from various different varieties and colors of flowers to maintain the energy levels and balnce their water levels in their body. Few adult butterflies try to collect the pollengrains from the flowers and break it down with the help of their proboscis. They try to absorb the amino acids that help them to live and lay eggs aftter mating. Each species of butterflies prefer only few plants and they differ from one to  another.

Butterfly caterpillars are not said to be garden pests and they prefer only those plants they are attracted. The three organs present in butterflies are head, abdomen and thorax. Tiny shrap teeth are present at the end of the tube in their mouth that helps them to sip the juices of flowers or piercing the skins of few fruits.