 Apapane are often found in the outer canopy of "ōhia" ("Metrosideros polymorpha") trees feeding on nectar.They also glean insects and spiders from leaves and small twigs in the canopy; they do not forage on the ground.In 1953, a study of 63 'apapane found that 87% of them had butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) in their stomachs; 75% had eaten hoppers (Homoptera); 60% ate lacewing larvae (Neuroptera); and 43% had recently consumed spiders (Arachnida).