Butterflies
Order: Lepidoptera
Butterflies are brightly colored flying insects with two pairs of large wings that vary in color and pattern from species to species. Their wings are covered with overlapping rows of tiny scales, a characteristic butterflies share with their fellow lepidopterans, the moths. Like other insects, butterflies have a hard exoskeleton, three pairs of jointed legs, antennae, compound eyes and three main body parts: head, thorax and abdomen. On the head are the eyes, antennae and proboscis – the long, flexible “tongue” used to sip nectar and other liquids. The thorax is the point of attachment for the two pairs of wings, forewings and hindwings. The abdomen contains the reproductive and other vital organs.
Size Butterflies come in a variety of sizes. The world’s smallest known species, the blue pygmy found in southern California, has a wingspan of just over half an inch. The largest species, New Guinea’s Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, can measure up to twelve inches from wingtip to wingtip.
Lifespan The average lifespan for an adult butterfly is 20 to 40 days. Some species live no longer than three or four days; others may live up to six months.
Diet
A caterpillar’s first meal is its own eggshell. It then spends most of its time eating the leaves of the plant on which it hatched. An adult butterfly uncoils its long, straw-like proboscis to sip nectar from flowers, juice from rotting fruit and water from puddles.
Population
Exact numbers are not known since there are about 17,500 species of butterflies spread throughout almost the entire world,.
Range
Butterflies are found worldwide except on the continent of Antarctica. Many species migrate to avoid adverse conditions. Most migrate relatively short distances, but monarchs and several other species migrate thousands of miles.
Behavior
Life Cycle From egg to adult, butterflies undergo a series of physical transformations known as metamorphosis. After mating, the female butterfly lays her eggs on a caterpillar food or “host” plant. The eggs can hatch within a few days, or within months or even years, depending on whether or not conditions are right.
After hatching, a caterpillar begins to eat the host plant. The caterpillar sheds its skin several times during this stage. It then seeks a sheltered spot, suspends itself by silken threads and sheds one last time to reveal skin that will harden to form the chrysalis or pupa. Days, months or even years later, depending on the species, a fully developed winged adult emerges from the chrysalis and the cycle begins anew.
Defense Mechanisms Many butterflies have developed interesting ways of
defending themselves from predators. One method is disguise, or “cryptic
coloration”, where the butterfly has the ability to look like a leaf or blend
into the bark of a tree to hide from predators. Another method is chemical
defense, where the butterfly has evolved to have toxic chemicals in its
body. These species of butterfly are often brightly colored, and predators
have learned over time to associate their bright color with the bad taste of the
chemicals.
Threats
The greatest threats to butterflies are habitat change and loss due to residential, commercial and agricultural development.
Legal Status/Protection
Under the Endangered Species Act* - two species of butterflies are listed as threatened and 21 are listed as endangered.
*The Endangered Species Act requires the US federal government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.
How You Can Help
- Help butterflies and other wildlife by adopting an animal at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
