Yes, butterflies can eat apples.
Butterflies are known to feed on a variety of fruits to obtain essential nutrients. Apples, along with bananas and pears, are often provided to butterflies, especially in butterfly gardens or enclosures. To make the apples more accessible to the butterflies, they are typically poked with holes to create juicy spots where the butterflies can easily access the liquid using their proboscis. This method allows the butterflies to effectively feed on the fruit's nutrients.
Essentially, apples can serve as a supplementary food source for butterflies, contributing to their energy and overall health.