It probably was a new male that just hatched and was getting salt and other minerals lost when it was hatching. The monarch,swallowtails,whites,sulphur sand blues puddle it was totally fine.

I sure hope so....would it be lying on its side? The dirt was moist but definitely not close to a "puddle".

Moist soil is what they use. I don't know why they call it puddling but I should be fine. Was it windy when you saw the butterfly?

No, not windy! But the soil was moist - he was completely on his side...motionless. Thanks for your help...I don't want to do anything to harm them!

If you saw a butterfly laying motionless on its side, it was not puddling.

Insecticidal soaps are more likely to hurt monarch eggs/caterpillars than adults. I would use them as a last resort.

Check out the post linked below for some other options to battle the little sap suckers! Good luck, Tony

Here is a link that might be useful: Stop aphids from destroying your milkweed