Aug 18, 2024
Butterfly wings are transparent! Their wings are covered in thousands of tiny scales that reflect different colours, creating the vivid patterns we see. The wings are made of chitin, the same transparent protein as an insect's exoskeleton. Fascinating, isn't it?
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With nearly 20,000 butterfly species globally, memorising them all is quite a task. A simpler approach is to start with the 575 species commonly found in the lower 48 US states. Focus on the butterflies in your garden this spring and summer for a more manageable challenge!
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Butterflies taste with their feet! It may sound odd, but it’s essential for their survival. As they land, their taste receptors help them identify the right plants for food and nutrients. So, when a butterfly lands on you, it's likely just checking for a quick snack!
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Most adult butterflies live for just three to four weeks, though their full life cycle can span two to eight months. While some species live only 24 hours, others, like the North American Monarch, can survive for nearly eight months, especially during migration.
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Butterflies live on an all-liquid diet, usually feeding on nectar. Their long, straw-like proboscis uncoils to sip liquids, as they can't chew solids. Some butterflies also feed on sap or even carrion, always drinking through their specialised mouthparts.
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When a butterfly emerges as an adult, its mouthparts are in two pieces. It must quickly assemble them into a single, functional proboscis using its palpi. You might notice a newly emerged butterfly repeatedly curling and uncurling its proboscis to test it.
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Butterflies, with their short and fragile lives, use their wings to stay safe. They either fold them to blend into their surroundings or display vibrant colours and patterns to scare off predators. Their wings are crucial for survival and increasing their chances to mate.
Image Source: Pixabay
Butterflies actually have four wings, not two. The forewings are closest to the head, while the hindwings are at the rear. Despite appearances, all four wings move in a figure-eight pattern during flight, powered by strong muscles in the butterfly’s thorax.
Image Source: Pixabay
Butterflies need more than nectar; they also seek minerals from mud puddles. This behaviour, known as puddling, is particularly common in males. The minerals, absorbed during puddling, are added to their sperm and transferred to females during mating, enhancing egg viability.
Image Source: Pixabay
Butterflies have sharp eyesight within 10–12 feet, beyond that, their vision becomes blurry. They see not only colours visible to humans but also ultraviolet hues. Their wings might feature UV markings for mate identification, and flowers use UV signals to attract pollinators.
Image Source: Pixabay
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