How to Easily Catch a Butterfly with Your Hand

Co-authored by Shweta Sharma and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 9, 2022 References

Butterflies are beautiful to look at, but they’re also simple to catch. If you want to hold a butterfly, it’s easiest to approach it with an open hand after it’s landed. If it still tries to fly away from you, you can try to attract it closer by feeding it or staying near bright flowers. Once you have the butterfly, observe it until it wants to fly away!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Capturing a Butterfly

1
Approach the butterfly slowly. If you move quickly, the butterfly you’re trying to catch might fly away. Take slow and careful steps toward the butterfly from behind so it doesn’t get startled by sudden movements. Don’t yell or shout while you get closer to the butterfly. Try to get within 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) of the butterfly before stopping.^{[1]
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- Butterflies have compound eyes that can see 360 degrees around them at any time. Take your time and be patient if you want to catch a particular butterfly.
2
Push your hand underneath the butterfly’s feet so it rests on your palm. Slowly extend your open hand out towards the butterfly and hold your hand close to it. Once the butterfly is used to your hand being there, slightly push your hand under the butterfly’s feet. The butterfly will step onto your fingers if it feels comfortable. When it gets on your hand, slowly pull it away from the plant it’s resting on.^{[2]
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- If you don’t want the butterfly to get away, cup your other hand over it while you walk around. Keep the hand the butterfly is on still while you slowly put your other hand over it. Leave a small hole so the butterfly has air.
Tip: Not all butterflies will want to come onto your hand. If there are many butterflies around, hold your hand near their perch and let one come to you.

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3
Let the butterfly fly away when it’s ready. Keep the butterfly in your hand to observe it while it rests. It may try to look for nectar with its proboscis or just relax when you’re holding it. When the butterfly wants to leave, it will fly away on its own.^{[3]
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- Be careful not to squeeze the butterfly’s body or else it will die.
- Don’t touch the butterfly’s wings if you don’t have to. The scales on its wings could get damaged.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Attracting Butterflies to You

1
Put sugar water on your hand so the butterfly can drink. Mix together 1 c (240 ml) of water with 1 cup (225 g) of sugar and heat it until the solution turns clear. Then mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of the solution with ¹⁄₂ c (120 ml) of water to dilute it so it’s similar to nectar, the butterfly’s major food source. Let the solution cool before applying a small amount on your palm with a cotton swab.
- Butterflies taste with their feet, so hold your hand under them to get them in your hand.
- Alternatively, you can hold a piece of sweet fruit, such as watermelon or banana, to attract a butterfly.
- Don't add any coloring to your sugar water.
2
Rub a leaf on your hand from a plant that butterflies normally land on. If you notice that the butterflies you want to catch stay near a specific plant, take a few leaves off of it. Rub the leaves on your palms to get their scent on your hands. Then, offer your hand to the butterflies so they can climb on.^{[4]
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Warning: Test rubbing 1 leaf on a small patch of skin first to see if you have any reactions, such as a rash or itchiness.
3
Stay close to flowers with bright colors. Many butterflies are attracted to colored plants since their flowers have sweet nectar. Look for flowers that are orange, red, pink, or yellow when you try to catch the butterfly, and sit or stand near them. On a warm, sunny day, many butterflies will find their way closer to you.^{[5]
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- Some butterflies can be found on certain plants. For example, Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed plant so they can commonly be found there.
- Try wearing bright clothing as well

Community Q&A

Question

What types of places would a butterfly land?

Community Answer

Butterflies would mostly land on flowers. The nectar is the food for them.
Question

How do I warn the butterfly if my dog tries to eat it?

Community Answer

Try to pick up the butterfly or shoo it away. You could also just put your dog inside or keep it out of reach of the butterfly.
Question

How can I get a butterfly to land and not fly away?

Community Answer

Honestly, it takes practice to hand-catch a butterfly. If you don't want it to fly away, then you need to sneak up to it, very slowly and very quietly. Then, slowly lower your hand and pinch your thumb and forefinger at the top of a butterfly's wings.

Warnings

Do your best not to touch or hold the butterfly by its wings, which can damage its scales.^{[6]
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