A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts, egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies exhibit polymorphism, mimicry and aposematism. Some, like the Monarch, will migrate over long distances. Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Some species are pests because in their larval stages they can damage domestic crops or trees; however, some species are agents of pollination of some plants, and caterpillars of a few butterflies (e.g., Harvesters) eat harmful insects. Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts.
Complete Facts and Trivia about Butterflies:
There are about 28,000 known Butterfly species throughout the world.
Caterpillar grows to about 27,000 times the size it was when it first emerged from its egg. Because the caterpillar's skin doesn't grow along with it as ours does, it must periodically shed the skin as it becomes too tight. Most caterpillars molt five times before entering the pupa stage.
Caterpillars are boneless, but have over 1000 muscles. These muscles help the caterpillar move very quickly from place to place, and so both aid in finding new food and in escaping from predators. Butterflies are a valuable source of food for various birds, which are as necessary for maintaining the ecological balance.
Butterfly doesn't spin a cocoon. Caterpillars shed their final skin to reveal a pupa. The outer skin of this pupa hardens to form a chrysalis which protects and hides the amazing transformation that is occurring inside. Pupae take on a wide variety of appearances, depending on the species of butterfly. Some hang from beneath leaves or twigs. Others are girdled to the side of a stem much like a worker on a telephone pole. Some are smooth and shiny while others are rough and even spiky. Some are beautifully colored with dots and lines of gold while others are drab and barely noticeable. No matter what the design, the function is the same - to lessen the chances of being eaten by a predator and to increase the likelihood of producing an adult butterfly or moth.
Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge 12 inches. They can fly up to the speed of 12 miles per hour and can only see the colours red, green, and yellow.
Butterfly wings are transparent. The iridescent scales, which overlap like shingles on a roof, give the wings the colors that we see. Contrary to popular belief, many butterflies can be held gently by the wings without harming the butterfly. Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.
Both butterflies and moths belong to the order lepidoptera. In Greek, this means scale wing. The name 'Butterfly' was first coined to describe the Yellow Brimstone Butterfly, a variety commonly seen across Europe. It was actually known as 'Butter-colored Fly' and that later became 'Butterfly'.
Butterflies taste with their feet. Their taste sensors are located in the feet, and by standing on their food, they can taste it!
All butterflies have six legs and feet. In some species such as the monarch, the front pair of legs remains tucked up under the body most of the time, and are difficult to see. Pollen gets attached to the legs of the Butterfly and is carried from plant to plant, assisting in fertilization and the propagation of new seeds and plants.
Butterflies don't have mouths that allow them to bite or chew. They, along with most moths have a long straw like structure called a proboscis which they use to drink nectar and juices. When not in use, the proboscis remains coiled like a garden hose. Butterflies use their antennas to smell.
Male butterflies are often attracted to females by the release of a powerful chemical called 'pheromone' from special glands. Some Butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of specific plants, others lay them in mid-flight. Some Butterflies, like the Cabbage White Butterfly, lay their eggs on cabbage leaves - the eggs and the caterpillars that emerge presently are velvety green and blend in well with the cabbage leaves.
Many butterflies migrate in order to avoid adverse environmental conditions (like cold weather). Butterfly migration is not well understood. Some can migrate only short distances but others migrate thousands of miles.
Butterflies have very brief life spans. Some - usually the ones found in the Tropics - can live up to a year, but others live anywhere from a few months to a few weeks to even a few hours.
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Complete Facts and Trivia about Butterflies:
There are about 28,000 known Butterfly species throughout the world.
Caterpillar grows to about 27,000 times the size it was when it first emerged from its egg. Because the caterpillar's skin doesn't grow along with it as ours does, it must periodically shed the skin as it becomes too tight. Most caterpillars molt five times before entering the pupa stage.
Caterpillars are boneless, but have over 1000 muscles. These muscles help the caterpillar move very quickly from place to place, and so both aid in finding new food and in escaping from predators. Butterflies are a valuable source of food for various birds, which are as necessary for maintaining the ecological balance.
Butterfly doesn't spin a cocoon. Caterpillars shed their final skin to reveal a pupa. The outer skin of this pupa hardens to form a chrysalis which protects and hides the amazing transformation that is occurring inside. Pupae take on a wide variety of appearances, depending on the species of butterfly. Some hang from beneath leaves or twigs. Others are girdled to the side of a stem much like a worker on a telephone pole. Some are smooth and shiny while others are rough and even spiky. Some are beautifully colored with dots and lines of gold while others are drab and barely noticeable. No matter what the design, the function is the same - to lessen the chances of being eaten by a predator and to increase the likelihood of producing an adult butterfly or moth.
Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge 12 inches. They can fly up to the speed of 12 miles per hour and can only see the colours red, green, and yellow.
Butterfly wings are transparent. The iridescent scales, which overlap like shingles on a roof, give the wings the colors that we see. Contrary to popular belief, many butterflies can be held gently by the wings without harming the butterfly. Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.
Both butterflies and moths belong to the order lepidoptera. In Greek, this means scale wing. The name 'Butterfly' was first coined to describe the Yellow Brimstone Butterfly, a variety commonly seen across Europe. It was actually known as 'Butter-colored Fly' and that later became 'Butterfly'.
Butterflies taste with their feet. Their taste sensors are located in the feet, and by standing on their food, they can taste it!
All butterflies have six legs and feet. In some species such as the monarch, the front pair of legs remains tucked up under the body most of the time, and are difficult to see. Pollen gets attached to the legs of the Butterfly and is carried from plant to plant, assisting in fertilization and the propagation of new seeds and plants.
Butterflies don't have mouths that allow them to bite or chew. They, along with most moths have a long straw like structure called a proboscis which they use to drink nectar and juices. When not in use, the proboscis remains coiled like a garden hose. Butterflies use their antennas to smell.
Male butterflies are often attracted to females by the release of a powerful chemical called 'pheromone' from special glands. Some Butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of specific plants, others lay them in mid-flight. Some Butterflies, like the Cabbage White Butterfly, lay their eggs on cabbage leaves - the eggs and the caterpillars that emerge presently are velvety green and blend in well with the cabbage leaves.
Many butterflies migrate in order to avoid adverse environmental conditions (like cold weather). Butterfly migration is not well understood. Some can migrate only short distances but others migrate thousands of miles.
Butterflies have very brief life spans. Some - usually the ones found in the Tropics - can live up to a year, but others live anywhere from a few months to a few weeks to even a few hours.
Thanks for the fun facts about Butterflies! I didn't know they were diurnal!
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