We often think of butterflies as relying on nectar from flowers as their primary source of food for adult butterflies, and many species do.
But there are others who feed mainly on minerals, often from mud or dung, or who consume both nectar and mineral sources.
One species that has more unusual eating habits is the Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius).
This butterfly rejects flower nectar in favor of honeydew, the sugary secretion produced by aphids. Harvesters also feed on mineral sources such as dung, sap and mud. In the photo below, the butterfly is feeding on a mushroom.
The Harvester’s eating habits explain its habitat preference, wet woodlands or along streams, especially where alders are found.
Alders are hosts to the Woolly Alder Aphid (Prociphilus tessellatus), a favorite honeydew source for Harvesters.
Even more important for the Harvester, these aphids are a favorite diet source of its caterpillars. The Harvester is the only butterfly species in North America whose caterpillars are strictly carnivorous. They feed primarily on several species of woolly aphids, often the Woolly Alder Aphid, but also the Woolly Beech Aphid, as well as others. The caterpillars will sometimes disguise themselves from predators by using their silk to tie to their bodies the remains of the aphids they consume. This is especially effective as protection from ants that may be tending the aphids for their honeydew. The Harvester caterpillars share some of the chemical signature of their aphid diet, which also may give them protection from predatory ants.
So wooly aphids feed both the Harvester butterfly and its caterpillars. Because of its habitat and food preferences, the Harvester is not commonly seen. So consider yourself lucky if you encounter one!
Resources
Brock, Jim P.; Kauffman, Ken. Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America. 2003.
Cech, Rick; Tudor, Guy. Butterflies of the East Coast. 2005.
Glassberg, Jeffrey. Butterflies through Binoculars A Field Guide to Butterflies in the Boston-New York-Washington Region. 1993.
Featured Creatures – University of Florida
Butterflies and Moths of North America
I just fond some woolly aphids on a trumpet vine…. would those be attactive to a harvester or are they a different subspecies? …trying to decide whether to eradicate them…
It’s probably a different aphid species. Usually, though, aphids are food for lots of other predators, including wasp and lady beetle larva. Ants drink their ‘honeydew’ (excrement).
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You clearly have been encountering them, Mary Anne, capturing these delicate, detailed photos and researching the harvesters’ unique diet. Thank you so much for this wonderful information.
I encountered the one pictured here on the Gentian Trail at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. There are alders nearby along pidcock Creek (complete with Woolly Alder Aphids!), and several Beech Trails along the creek also have woolly aphids. Pretty good habitat for the Harvester!
I’ll certainly try to follow in your footsteps, Mary Anne. Thanks so very much for the additional information. 🐛
I find your work to be astounding. Thank you for making this beautiful blog.
Thank you for your generous comment!
Hi Mary Anne, you continue to delight me with this new knowlege source. Thank you for this wonderful gift. Patricia Merkel
I’m glad you liked it!
Thanks for that great article!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!