To observe other activities such as basking, puddling, or migrating, you will need to be at the proper place at the proper time. To observe some activities, such as hybernation, may involve some detective work. If you are observant you may see butterflies involved in many of the follow activities. Their day-to-day lives can be characterized by many activities. Barnes.īutterflies are complex creatures. Images are from Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Publication FOR-98, Attracting Butterflies with Native Plants, by Thomas G. Images in this section are of the life cycle of the black swallowtail on one of its host plants, fennel. Most adult butterflies will live only a week or two, while a few species may live as long as 18 months. It will eventually mate and lay eggs to begin the cycle all over again. Once the chrysalis casing splits, the butterfly emerges. The fourth and final stage of the life cycle is the adult. Many butterfly species overwinter or hibernate as pupae. Depending on the species, the pupal stage may last for just a few days or it may last for more than a year. The pupa does not feed but instead gets its energy from the food eaten by the larval stage. The casual observer may think that because the pupa is motionless that very little is going on during this "resting stage." However, it is within the chrysalis shell that the caterpillar's structure is broken down and rearranged into the wings, body and legs of the adult butterfly. The chrysalis hangs down like a small sack until the transformation to butterfly is complete. The caterpillar attaches itself to a twig, a wall or some other support and the exoskeleton splits open to reveal the chrysalis. The third stage is known as the pupa or chrysalis. A caterpillar may go through as many as four to five molts before it becomes a pupa. Instead, the old exoskeleton is shed in a process called molting and it is replaced by a new, larger exoskeleton. The tough outer skin or exoskeleton, however, does not grow or stretch along with the enlarging caterpillar. As the caterpillar continues to eat, its body grows considerably. They have a voracious appetite and eat almost constantly. A caterpillar's primary activity is eating. Caterpillars often, but not always, have several pairs of true legs, along with several pairs of false legs or prolegs. The larva, or caterpillar, that hatches from the egg is the second stage in the life cycle. The female butterfly attaches the eggs to leaves or stems of plants that will also serve as a suitable food source for the larvae when they hatch. Butterfly eggs are tiny, vary in color and may be round, cylindrical or oval. The first stage of the butterfly life cycle is the egg or ovum. The butterfly life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This means that the butterfly changes completely from its early larval stage, when it is a caterpillar, until the final stage, when it becomes a beautiful and graceful adult butterfly. A butterfly undergoes a process called complete metamorphosis during its life cycle. There are some very colorful moths.Ī life cycle is made up of the stages that a living organism goes through during its lifetime from beginning to end. (4) Butterflies are generally more brightly colored than moths, however, this is not always the case. Butterflies will, however, bask with their wings out-stretched. Moths, on the other hand, rest with their wings spread out flat. (3) When a butterfly rests, it will do so with its wings held upright over its body. (2) Butterflies normally are active during the daytime while most moths are active at night. In general, butterflies differ from moths in the following ways: (1) Butterflies usually have clubbed antennae but moths have fuzzy or feathery antennae. The difference between a butterfly and a moth?īoth butterflies and moths belong to the same insect group called Lepidoptera. They also have two antennae and an exoskeleton. Like all other insects, butterflies have six legs and three main body parts: head, thorax (chest or mid section) and abdomen (tail end). The scales, which are arranged in colorful designs unique to each species, are what gives the butterfly its beauty. This name perfectly suits the insects in this group because their wings are covered with thousands of tiny scales overlapping in rows. The word "Lepidoptera" means "scaly wings" in Greek. Note: Words underlined in the text are defined in the "Butterfly words" or glossary section.īutterflies are the adult flying stage of certain insects belonging to an order or group called Lepidoptera. What are some butterfly activities that are commonly observed? What type of life cycle does a butterfly have? What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |