Blood sucking butterflies

[Kenelm Philip]

	I doubt there is anything unusual about _V. atalanta_ imbibing
blood, where it's available. Many butterflies will happily feed at almost
any moist surface (or liquid) containing organic matter. Urine, feces,
and carrion will attract butterflies. A fire-retardant chemical named
'Phoschek' has been found to attract butterflies in Alaska--one might
guess it contains phosphates...

	I have observed swarms of _P. machaon_ at human feces on the Alaskan
North Slope, and large numbers of _Celastrina ladon_ at urine. Also one
_Speyeria atlantis_ feasting on a dead vole. Butterflies are not finicky
eaters!

							Ken Philip
fnkwp at uaf.edu