Table of Contents

Butterflies

Many species migrate

There are many butterflies besides the Monarch that migrate. The Cloudless Sulphur, Question Mark, Clouded Skipper, Mourning Cloak, and the Painted Lady all migrate as well. Monarchs, however, migrate the longest distances. 1)

Butterflies on frescoes

There are depictions of butterflies that can be seen at Thebes. Those Egyptian frescoes are 3,500 years old! 2)

Division of butterflies

There are several divisions of butterflies. The most popular are those that divide butterflies by appearance. Another well-known division is also the one on the time of flight. This second division divides butterflies into diurnal butterflies and moths. It is important to note that these man-made divisions have been distinguished artificially, have blurred boundaries, and overlap. 3)

The second most abundant insect group

Butterflies are the second most abundant insect group (the first being beetles). 4)

No butterflies in Antarctica

Butterflies are insects that are found on almost every continent. The only exception is Antarctica. 5)

Mouth apparatus

The mouth apparatus of butterflies is a sucking type. The vast majority of butterfly species feed on nectar, making this type of mouth apparatus possible. Some of the more primitive butterfly families still have remnants of the biting apparatus. 6)

Evolutionary advanced

Butterflies are animals that are considered to be among the most evolutionary evolved insects in the world. 7)

Membranous joints

The different segments in a butterfly's body are connected by membranous joints, which in turn allow them to move freely. 8)

Butterfly head

The head of butterflies is spherical and separate from the abdomen and is formed by the fusion of 6 different segments. This head also contains other elements such as a sucking mouth apparatus, a pair of feelers, and a pair of compound eyes. 9)

Ommatidia

Compound eyes are relatively large and composed of smaller eyes that are called ommatidia. Their perception of the world is a sort of mosaic of images and colors. Compared to humans, they see very dimly. 10)

The mouth apparatus

The mouth apparatus of butterflies is a sucking type. The vast majority of butterfly species feed on nectar, which makes this type of mouth apparatus possible. 11)

Smelling

On the entire surface of the antennae are located receptors responsible for recognizing odors. 12)

Johnston's organ

On the surface of the antennae, there is also a Johnston's organ in butterflies. It is an organ of balance and hearing that, among other things, can pick up vibrations in the air. 13)

300 wing movements per minute

Diurnal butterflies can make approximately 300 wing movements per minute. 14)

Butterfly eggs

Butterfly eggs can come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, and it mainly depends on the species. 15)

First food for caterpillars

The first food for a caterpillar is usually chorion, the shell of the egg from which it has just hatched. 16)

Pupa stage

In the pupa stage, the butterfly does not take in food or fluids. 17)