TMNCPC Blogmaster Paula Dittrick thanks TMNCPC member Linda Rippert for tracking down these recipes.
The late TMNCPC member Gloria Scheel loved to share her knowledge of butterflies with people training to become members of the Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter.
Before her unexpected death in November, she helped plan and develop several butterfly gardens in the Houston area. The obituary can be found at Gloria Scheel Obituary (neptunesociety.com)
TMNCPC President Bert Stipelcovich recalls meeting Scheel and how she talked about making butterfly brew using beer and bananas. Linda Rippert, also a TMNCPC member, recently tracked down her friend’s recipes to share on the blog. Scheel’s instructions follow:
READ THIS PARAGRAPH BEFORE MAKING RECIPE FOR BREW
These brew recipes are attractive to butterflies (and other insects) because of the sugar and the fermentation that takes place in the mixture. The mixtures should be stored in an unbreakable container, such as a clear 1-gallon milk jug with vent holes in the lid and/or around the top of the container. They can be refrigerated but do not have to be refrigerated. The containers should be stored away from entrances and exits since they may attract bees and wasps.
To attract butterflies, place the mixture in shallow containers and hang in a tree, smear it on textured or grooved boards or smear it on logs. These are good ways to observe and photograph butterflies.
Butterfly Brew
10 over-ripe bananas
2 cups of sugar
12 ounces of warm water
1 package active dry yeast
Mash bananas and stir in other ingredients. Store as described above.
Beer Butterfly Brew
10 over-ripe bananas
2 cups brown sugar
1 bottle dark lager beer
Mash bananas and stir in other ingredients. Store as described above.
Dark lager beer is usually an imported beer that has not been pasteurized. This allows the banana and sugar to ferment faster. You can use whatever beer is in the fridge and let the beer breathe for a while before using it.
Smaller Butterfly Brew (Good recipe for children to use)
Step 1: Place one banana in the freezer overnight.
Step 2: Thaw it the following day, peel it, and mash it.
Step 3: Cover with 2 tablespoons of Blackstrap molasses.
Step 4: Add ¼ teaspoon of dry yeast.
Mix all ingredients. Store as described above but in a smaller unbreakable, vented container.
Butterflies that may be attracted are Buckeye, Pipevine Swallowtail, Tawny Emperor, Viceroy, Red Admiral, American Painted Lady, Question Mark, Mourning Cloaks.
