I hate scrolling to find the damn recipe, so here it is upfront. Check out the bottom of the page to see my recommendations about the options I've provided. Enjoy!
Butterfly Nectar Recipes
Option 1: Ingredients
2 lbs of fructose
2 cups water (distilled or purified preferred)
2 tsp soy sauce
Option 1: Directions
Combine fructose and water in a pot and boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until fructose is totally dissolved, then add the soy sauce.
Cool syrup and pour into an air-tight container. This is concentrated nectar.
Use a ratio of 1:9 concentrate to water to create batches of nectar when needed.
The concentrate is supposed to be shelf-stable, but I find it stays good for several months if kept in the fridge. Just make sure your nectar is room temperature before feeding the butterflies. The nectar itself also lasts longer in the fridge, but not as long as the concentrate. Keep both clean of debris and only use clean utensils with them. These can grow mold or get super gross if you don't keep the mixtures clean.
Option 2: Ingredients
3 oz Gatorade/Pedialyte (Clear flavors preferred)
1 tsp simple syrup
6 drops soy sauce
Option 2: Directions
Combine all ingredients until well mixed.
Store in an air-tight container or serve right away.
This doesn't keep as well as the other option, but it might be easier to obtain the ingredients for some people. Definitely store this in the fridge if you're trying to preserve it.
Alternative Food Options
Rotting fruit and stale beer (not for all butterflies, but most will be interested)
Mashed bananas, Gatorade, and beer
Notes
I use the first option when feeding my butterflies, and that's exactly what I have available at my exhibits to feed the butterflies. They love it! You can use this in hummingbird feeders, too.
Please do not substitute cane sugar for fructose, they are not the same thing! Regular sugar can recrystallize inside the butterflies and kill them.
Gatorade should be clear for two reasons. First, the food dyes aren't for sure safe for bugs. The other reason is to avoid bright red butterfly pee getting on a light colored shirt you might be wearing. Avoid colored nectar for sure if you're feeding butterflies intended for a wedding release. I don't think the bride would like butterfly pee stains on her dress!
Use a clean, unused sponge or even a shallow dish with a small amount of nectar at the bottom to feed your butterflies if you don't have a feeder. If you do have a feeder, butterflies prefer yellow colored flowers on those store-bought feeders. If you have a feeder with white flowers, you can buy yellow replacement flowers. Don't paint them!
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