Comments on: I got licked by a butterfly!

By: ScOtt

ScOtt — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:18:42 +0000

my encounter happened in British Columbia. Canada, that is, and the butterfly looked a lot like the one in the pictures you provide. i was in Burns Lake, the middle of BC, around the end of summer. i was trying to be patient, but not doing a very good job of it, and along came this butterfly. i watched, trying not to move as my new friend walked amongst the wrinkles on the back of my hand. Eventually i moved my hand up to get a better look, i saw what you’ve shown in your pictures and i could feel, ever so lightly, the lick of the probiscis. A little surreal but wonderfully real. Licked by a Butterfly.

By: Ralph Preston

Ralph Preston — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:19:48 +0000

I’m no expert on California butterflies but it looks like an Edith’s Checkerspot to me.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1752&chosen_state=06*California
The only other one that was close was the Anicia Checkerspot, but the coloring is lighter.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=5092&chosen_state=06*California
Edith’s Checkerspot appears to be more common, as well.

By: Ralph Preston

Ralph Preston — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:36:23 +0000

It’s called a proboscus, not a tongue. He was drinking your sweat to obtain minerals and salts. Scientists believe this it to make them more fertile. This is the same behavior as “puddling”, which is when butterflies gather and drink from the wet sand or soil. It is generally males that do this, although I have seen females in a puddle party. Chances are your T-shirt was white. I have had the exact same thing happened half a dozen times.

By: fuzzit

fuzzit — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:37:52 +0000

That is very neat. I didn’t know butterflies have tongues. I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see the pictures!