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Table of Contents
Butterflies are one of the most beautiful insects in the macrolepidoptera group of Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, including moths.
See the fact file below for more information on Butterflies, or you can download our 24-page Butterflies worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ANATOMY AND PARTS
- The butterfly’s anatomy as an insect consists of three main body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. That being said, their wings and antennae are also included as their bodyβs main parts.
- Adult butterflies have antennae, which are sensory appendages attached to the head. Their antennae function for butterflies to detect smell and balance. Butterflies have two antennae that end in small round balls.
- A pair of palps and proboscis are also located on the head, which serves as the feeding and sensory center. Furthermore, a pair of antennae and a pair of a butterfly’s compound eyes are made up of thousands of ommatidia, which each allows them to sense light and images.
- The thorax is made up of only three jointed segments: the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax, which all descend from a primitive segment.
- There are two jointed legs in each section of the thorax. The thorax also has two wings, one pair of forewings and one pair of hindwings.
- Butterfly wings are made of hardened membrane, which is reinforced by veins and covered in tiny scales. Each scale is only one color. Butterfly wings have intricate designs created by thousands of scales organized in intricate patterns and interlocking one another like shingles on a roof.
- The abdomen is made up of 10β11 segments that taper to the end. Each segment has membranes in between that allow articulation and movement. The external genitalia are located at the end of the abdomen.
ORIGINS
- The butterfly’s history can be traced back to the mid-Eocene epoch, approximately 40 to 50 million years ago. The evolution of butterflies and caterpillars is inextricably linked to that of flowering plants because they both feed on them.
- Butterflies, which most likely evolved from moths, account for approximately 45,000 of the 220,000 Lepidoptera species.
- Butterflies are found all over the world, with the exception of Antarctica, and are especially abundant in the tropics; they are divided into eight different families.
- Some scientists believe butterflies evolved during the Cretaceous period which was often referred to as βThe Age of Flowering Plantsβ, when continents were arranged differently and climates were very different. That was the peak of angiosperm radiation.
- For how the major lineages of butterflies became distributed around the world, researchers who accept a Cretaceous age favor vicariant zoogeographic hypotheses, whereas those who accept a Tertiary age rely on dispersalist hypotheses.
KINDS OF BUTTERFLIES
- Listed below are some of the most common and notable butterflies today:
- Swallowtail Butterfly – Their name is derived from their distinct tail-like extensions that emerge from their hind wings. However, some of these species do not have tails. The male and female wingspan of these butterflies range from 8 to 90 mm.
- These butterflies come in a wide range of colors and patterns, which include red, yellow, as well as orange, on green, black, or even blue backgrounds.
- Brush-footed butterfly – These butterflies are also known as “four-footed butterflies” at times. This other common name is driven by the fact that these butterflies have only four functional walking legs. Most species’ wingspan ranges from 35 to 90 mm, or 1.5 to 3.5 inches.
- The brush-footed butterflies’ wings are typically brown, yellow, and white, with various colored patterns on their undersurfaces, which are typically duller in color.
- American Snout Butterfly – The American snout butterfly, also known as the common snout butterfly, belongs to the Libytheinae subfamily of the Nymphalidae family. They are mostly found in South and North America, and their name is derived mainly from their extremely long and intricate snouts.
- Red Admiral Butterfly – This is a large and strong-flying butterfly that is typically found in gardens and parks. These are very different and distinct kinds of butterflies that originated primarily in Ireland and Britain.
- Their male to female wingspan ranges from 67 to 72 mm. These butterflies are normally found in warmer climates, but they prefer to migrate north during the spring and autumn seasons.
- Monarch Butterfly – The Monarch butterfly is the most beautiful and is also known as the king of all butterflies.
- Their magnificent orange, black, and white markings, which include vibrant orange wings with black veins, white dots, and black borders, make them easy to identify.
- The term “monarch” originated as a form of homage to King William III of England, who was also given the title “Prince of Orange.”
- Karner Blue Butterfly – These are small and delicate kinds of butterflies that are considered an endangered subspecies of the small blue butterfly.
- They were once common along the northern edge of the blue lupine range, which stretches from southern Maine to eastern Minnesota.
- Blue Morpho Butterfly – The Blue Morpho butterfly’s wings are a magnificent vibrant blue with jet black edges, as the name suggests.
- This species, like many others, is among the world’s largest butterflies, owing to the size of their wingspan, which ranges from 5-8 inches.
- American Painted Lady Butterfly – This butterfly, also known as the American lady, can be found throughout North America.
- Whereas these species are widely known for their stunning appearance, naturalists are most interested in them due to the unique nests made by their caterpillars, which are unique to this species only.
BUTTERFLY BEHAVIORS
- Butterflies bask in the sun because they are ectotherms, which means they get their heat from outside sources.
- Before they can fly, they must spend time in the sun with their wings spread in the morning and throughout the cooler days, raising their body temperature to around 85 degrees.
- A male and female butterfly mate by clasping the ends of their abdomens together and remaining that way for up to 12 hours to ensure that no competitor fertilizes “his” eggs.
- A butterfly develops through a process called metamorphosis. This is derived from a Greek word meaning transformation or change in shape.
- Eggs are laid on plants by the adult females. These plants will then become the food for the hatching caterpillars which will grow up to 2 inches before hatching.
- When the caterpillar stops eating, it becomes a pupa. The pupa is also called a chrysalis – which is suspended under a branch, hidden in leaves or buried underground. All the parts of a butterfly develops inside before hatching as an adult.
- The nectar of most butterfly species comes from flowers, however some butterflies prefer fruit juices, tree sap, and even dung or carrion.
- They eat using their proboscis, which curls up when not in use, regardless of the source. Butterflies dip their proboscis into the liquid and draw it up into their bodies.
- Butterflies do not sleep, but they do rest with their wings closed. The undersides of their wings are patterned to provide excellent camouflage, which allows them to land and appear to vanish from view, a fairly close way to avoid predators.
VULNERABILITY AND CONSERVATION
- Butterflies are threatened by a variety of factors, which include habitat loss, climate change, disease, pesticides, and invasive plants. More localized threats, such as overgrazing and roadside mowing, can also be detrimental.
- Furthermore, the majority of butterflies on the verge of extinction are rare endemic species with a limited geographic range or very specific habitat specifications.
- There are several ways to prevent the declining population of the butterflies and this includes supporting organizations that aim to protect the butterflies as well as providing advice to landowners and managers on how to conserve and restore habitats.
- Furthermore, in order to help in the conservation of the butterflies, farmers must avoid the use of pesticides.
- Joining the fight to stop climate change could also help because seasonal temperature changes cause changes in the weather cycle, which causes disruption to the butterfly’s entire flight cycle.
- By doing so, this could help in terms of the butterflies’ food, habitat, and even migrations.
Butterfly Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Butterfly across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Butterfly, which is one of the most beautiful insects in the macrolepidoptera group of Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, including moths.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Butterfly Facts
- Butterfly Anatomy
- Butterfly Life Cycle
- Butterfly Photography
- Butterfly Symbols
- Maze Challenge
- Color a Butterfly
- The Butterfly Story
- The White Butterfly
- Draw a Butterfly
- Butterfly Acrostics
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do butterflies stay alive?
The average lifespan of the butterflies is 4 weeks, though this varies depending on the species. Some butterfly species only live for a few days, while others may live for several months.
Is it OK to touch butterflies?
One must take care when handling a butterfly. The dust often seen on fingers after petting these insects is composed of tiny wing scales that have been modified into hairs. If you rub too many scales off, the wing is more likely to rip or fail.
Do butterflies sleep?
Adult butterflies rest by hanging upside down from leaves or branches. This helps them to hide from predators and also save energy.
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Link will appear as Butterfly Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 7, 2022
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.