by Sharon Hanzik, Remote PWLCTMN Member
Butterfly – a fly attracted to butter? Or, perhaps a fly made of butter? Strange name for a creature that is neither. This article is not about any particular species but about the species in general. Most of us know the basics of how they feed, fly and transform. But there are several other very interesting, peculiar, and perhaps not widely known facts about these delicate, yet quite hardy insects.
Let’s start with their peculiar name “butterfly”. The name is derived from an Old English word buttorfleoge, meaning “butter fly”. Ok, simple enough, but why? Popular theories suggest it relates to the pale yellow color of common species, old folklore about creatures stealing milk and butter, or the yellowish color of their waste after emerging from a chrysalis. Whatever you choose to believe, let’s dive a little deeper into the adaptations and habits of these universally beloved creatures. How many new facts will you learn? (I learned a few myself.)
Butterflies (and moths) belong to the order Lepidoptera, meaning scale (lepis) wings (ptera). There are over 165,000 known species found on every continent except Antarctica ranging in size from ½ to 12 inches. In some areas their numbers are so great, we can actually hear them feeding. Mud-puddling is a term used to describe when they drink from mud to get important salts and minerals. These groups are referred to as puddle clubs. Some have even been observed drinking blood from the wounds of animals!
- A group is called a “flutter”.
- Their long, protractible proboscis (feeding instrument) sponges or soaks up liquid.
- The first meal of the larva is their egg shell.
- Many adults never poop! They use up all of their food for energy.
- They can taste with their feet so they can tell: “Is this plant good for laying eggs?”
- Some species only lay eggs on one type of plant.
- They have ultra-violet vision. Compound eyes with 6000 lenses see what we cannot.
- hey can hear! The fact that they have ears was not discovered until 1912.
- They are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and must warm up in order to fly.
- Their wings move in a figure eight motion.
- Most fly at varying speeds of 5 to 12 mph. However, skippers can outpace a horse!
- The Painted Lady holds the record for the longest known butterfly migration distance of 9000 miles roundtrip.
- The Monarch Butterfly is widely regarded as the most numerous migrating species. (Both migrations mentioned require multigenerations)
- Butterflies have clear wings. Overlapping scales reflect light, producing colors.
- The egg takes approximately 5 – 10 days to hatch.
- The larva stage lasts 2 – 4 weeks.
- The chrysalis stage lasts 10 – 15 days. (Butterflies form a chrysalis, moths weave a cocoon.)
- Adults live only 2 – 4 weeks.
This extensive list is more than enough reason for what butterflies are known to symbolize: transformation, rebirth, hope, endurance, freedom and joy.