Butterflies - Evolution, Development And Life Cycle, The Egg, The Caterpillar, The Chrysalis, The Adult (or Imago)
moths wings
Butterflies are insects in the order Lepidoptera, which also includes the moths. Butterflies at rest fold their wings vertically over their head, whereas moths hold their wings horizontally. Most butterflies are active during daylight, while moths are mostly nocturnal. Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis, that is, their egg hatches to a larva (or caterpillar), which pupates in a chrysalis, from which emerges the adult butterfly (or imago).
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The larval stage of butterflies, known as a caterpillar, emerges from the egg fully formed. Caterpillars see by means of groups of tiny eyes on each side of their head. The body of many species is protected by bristly hairs. Caterpillars have as many as eight pairs of appendages. Three pairs are true legs, and become the legs of the adult butterfly. These are located on the thorax behind the head.…
The protective case surrounding the pupating caterpillar can take many shapes. It is usually brownish green in color, and may be speckled to aid in camouflage. With few exceptions, butterfly larvae pupate above ground, usually attached to a leaf or stem by a silken thread. Inside the chrysalis the pupated caterpillar gradually transforms into a butterfly. The process takes two weeks for some speci…
Butterflies, like all insects, have an external skeleton (or exoskeleton) to which muscles are attached. The exoskeleton provides the butterfly's body with support and reduces water loss through evaporation. The respiratory system does not have a pumping mechanism. The sides of the thorax and abdomen have tiny pores (or spiracles) through which air enters and leaves the body via tubes (trac…
Reproduction in butterflies begins with courtship, during which the male vigorously flaps its wings, releasing a dust of microscopic scales carrying pheromones above the female's antennae. These male pheromones act as a sexual stimulant to the female. Some males release additional pheromones from "hair pencils" under the abdomen. Female butterflies that are ready to mate dispe…
The survival of butterflies is influenced by many factors, and their populations may increase or decrease quite rapidly, and from year to year. Brilliantly colored butterflies are often toxic when eaten, so predators learn to leave them alone. Occasionally, a non-poisonous species evolves that mimics the appearance of a poisonous species, thus being less susceptible to predators. Dark colors, disp…
Habitat loss to agriculture, deforestation, urbanization, draining of wetlands, and other changes in land-use is the foremost threat to butterfly populations. Although pollution, pesticides, and specimen collection pose serious threats to some species, none of these is as damaging as habitat loss. The short life span of butterflies usually makes it impossible for displaced populations to find anot…
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