Butterfly Facts

Butterfly Facts

• They are invertebrates (no backbone) 
• They have an exoskeleton 
• They have bodies that are divided into segments 
• They have jointed legs
• They have an exoskeleton 
• They have six legs 
• They have three main body parts: head, thorax and abdomen 
• They have one pair of antennae 
• They have compound eyes as adults 
• They develop through a process called metamorphosis 

Butterflies are in the Order Lepidoptera.The word Lepidoptera is derived from two Greek words.“Lepidos” meaning scales and “Pteron” meaning wing.The Order Lepidoptera is subdivided into families.  Some of the most common families are papilionidae (Swallowtails), Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies), Lycaenidae (Gossamer Wings), Libytheidae (Snout Butterflies), Pieridae (Sulphers and Whites).

Most organisms also have a common name.The common name of Papilio troilis is the Spicebush Swallowtail.The problem with common names is that a single organism can have several different common names depending on where it is found.

• Butterflies can see into the ultraviolet range of the light spectrum.
• Butterflies are scientifically classified. 
• Butterflies, moths and skippers form the Order Lepidoptera. 
• Butterfly wings are covered with scales. 
• Butterfly wings serve several purposes: Camouflage, warning to predators, temperature regulation and mate selection. 
• The most important distinguishing characteristic between butterflies, moths and skippers are their antennae. 
• A butterfly’s metabolism is dependent upon the environmental temperature.  They are “cold blooded”. 
• Butterflies bask in the sun to raise their body temperatures. 
• Flight allows butterflies to locate food, mates and host plants. 
• Flight allows butterflies to escape predators. 
• Butterflies roost at night. 
• Butterflies display puddling behavior to obtain salts and minerals. 
• Butterflies feed on a variety of liquids, including nectar and the juices from overripe fruit, carrion and manure. 
• The courtship behavior of butterflies is unique to each species.   

The word metamorphosis means, “ to change form”.Butterflies go through complete metamorphosis.  This means that there are 4 distinct stages:  egg, larva, pupa and adult.
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweeds; Spicebush Swallowtails lay on stinging nettle. 

The Monarch butterfly lays her eggs single but the Morning Cloak will lay her eggs in clusters.

Once a caterpillar has hatched from its egg, it eats the eggshell and then begins eating the leaf it was laid on.

The shedding of the exoskeleton is called molting.  As the caterpillar matures it molts or sheds its old, small skin.  Each molt reveals a new, larger skin, which accommodates the growing caterpillar.

Most caterpillars have 13 body segments.

From head to tail they bear three pairs of jointed walking legs, 4 pairs of prolegs and a pair of claspers.

Spiracles on several body segments allow caterpillars to breath.

Butterflies have 4 life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.  Butterflies require specific host plants on which to lay their eggs for their caterpillars to eat.

In order to fly, a butterfly’s body temperature must be between 82 and 100 degrees fahrenheit.

Flying allows a butterfly to locate food and mates, escape predators, and in some cases migrate.  Muscles in the thorax control the wings.

There are several different kinds of flight: darting, gliding, zigzagging, fluttering, etc.  Different butterflies display different types of flight.A lepidopterist can use patterns of fight to help in the identification of a butterfly.

Most butterflies are diurnal.

Some butterflies, like the Zebra Longwing, roost in-group, while other roost singly.  

Nectar is the most common food source for butterflies but some also feed from the juices of overripe fruit, carrion, manure and tree sap in addition to nectar.

You will frequently observe butterflies clustered around a puddle, a muddy spot or near a stream.  This is referred to as puddling.Males most commonly display puddling behavior.Scientist believes that puddling provides important nutrients like salts and minerals that the butterflies can’t get from nectar alone.  Swallowtails, blues and sulphers commonly puddle.

A butterfly’s metabolism is dependent upon the environmental temperature.