I bet you didn't know that!

Hey there Discoverers! Did you know that we have butterflies in our discovery center? They just emerged from their cocoons a few days ago. If you haven't already, you should really come down to the library and see them in person!


With that, here are some facts about butterflies that you may not have known!

• Did you know that the differences between butterflies and moths are the shape of their bodies, the structure of their antennae (feelers), and the way in which their front and hind wings are held together to act as a single unit. A butterfly's body is generally more slender than a moth's. Most butterflies' antennae end in a club-like knob while most moths' antennae are threadlike or feathery. Most butterflies are active during the day and hold their wings vertically while at rest. Most moths, on the other hand, fly at dusk or night and, when at rest, hold their wings over the body. 
• A Butterfly's wings are covered with overlapping rows of tiny scales, a characteristic butterflies share with moths. 
• 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. 
• There are about 17,500 species of butterflies spread throughout almost the entire world. 
• Butterflies are found worldwide except on the continent of Antarctica. Many species of butterflies migrate to avoid adverse conditions. Most migrate relatively short distances, but Monarch Butterflies and several other species migrate thousands of miles. 
• The greatest threats to butterflies are habitat change and loss due to development by humans.Climate change is also threatening species of butterfly. 

• A butterflies typical behavior is as follows: 

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.

Now that you know some facts why don't you try out a quiz on your knowledge of butterflies!

Take a QUIZ on butterflies!

Below is a picture of a Painted Lady butterfly; the butterflies that are located in the Discovery Center!

Until next time Discoverers!