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| White peacock - photo Brett Pigon |
Butterflies are insects with
fluttering wings, exquisitely painted by nature. They are closely
related to moths, but differences exist. Butterfly antennae are
commonly clubbed, and moth antennae are not; butterflies are smooth and
slender, and moths are mainly stout and hairy; butterflies usually rest
with folded wings, and moths usually spread them out.
Cycles
of butterfly are egg, caterpillar (larva), pupa (chrysalis), adult.
Usually eggs are laid on the underside of leaves on caterpillar host
specific plants (monarchs prefer milkweed). Before laying, butterflies
taste these leaves to insure safety for forthcoming devouring
caterpillars. They taste with their feet—their sense of taste is 200
times stronger than humans. Eggs are fixed to leaves with special
hardening glue. Depending on region, more than one brood may occur
yearly. Among species, survival lasts one week to nearly a year.
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| Queen - photo Brett Pigon |
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Coloration
is determined by overlapping of thousands of minute wing scales.
Certain butterflies display bright colors to proclaim foul taste and
toxicity, transmitted by their caterpillars consuming toxic host
plants. For example, the brilliant orange migratory monarch and the
vivid black and white striped zebra longwing, Florida’s state butterfly,
deter predators. For camouflage, some butterflies resemble leaves.
(Butterfly structural coloration—result of scattering of light by
scales—inspires research in non-toxic paint!)
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| Zebra Longwing - photo Brett Pigon |
Nectar
is flight fuel for butterflies. Because these insects see ultraviolet
light, ultraviolet patterns on flowers guide them to nectar sources;
antennae also detect nectar. Preferable is nectar with amino acids;
they stimulate more egg laying. Often sought are blooms with
deeply-hidden nectar—drawn with a long tongue (proboscis) that uncoils
and simulates a straw. Cluster flowers provide landing platforms.
Favorite colors are bright red, yellow, and orange like red penta,
goldenrod, and butterfly weed. Though not as efficient as bees,
butterflies pollinate special plants, transfer pollen long distances,
and contact many flowers.
Two
forewings and two hind wings enable flight. Double antennae provide
flight balance and orientation—with only one antenna, flight might be
circular. Well-equipped, butterflies hover and fly backwards and
sideways at low speeds. These seemingly erratic behaviors are in
complete control! Aeronautics engineers aspire to imitate butterflies,
such as developing robotic spy insects.
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| Black Swallowtail - photo Brett Pigon |
Approximately
700 species of butterflies inhabit the United States. Butterflies are
invaluable indicators of fluctuations in ecosystems. For instance,
change of habit signals climate variation, and discoloration might imply
poor air quality. Preserve butterflies; plant flowers!
Haiku by Hailey Scalia, 8, local conservationist:
Butterflies flying
Symmetrical wings flutter
Beautiful insects
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| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - Brett Pigon |
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| Monarch - photo Brett Pigon |
