Rooted Wings Co

Plant it and they will come! Attracting butterflies is as easy as planting nectar plants and host plants in your garden that butterflies love. But have you ever wondered, "How do butterflies find host plants?"

It's an interesting question because unlike nectar plants, butterflies must find specific host plants to lay their eggs on. The caterpillars of each species will only survive on certain plants.

For example, monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed plants.

Other species like black swallowtail caterpillars can survive on several different host plants, mainly those in the carrot family like parsley, fennel, dill and rue.

So how do butterflies know which plants to lay their eggs on as they flutter around? Simply put, it's instinct.

How do butterflies find host plants?

Here's an overview of the strategies butterflies use to find host plants:

Butterflies find host plants by using visual cues.

Butterflies actually have great eyesight! This plays a crucial role in their search for host plants.

They are attracted to specific colors and patterns, which guide them towards suitable plant species.

Butterflies can perceive a broad spectrum of colors, including ultraviolet light, which is invisible to humans.

This allows them to spot subtle variations and patterns on leaves and flowers.

Certain species are particularly attracted to bright, vibrant colors, while others may prefer more muted or pastel shades.

By honing in on these visual cues, butterflies can identify potential host plants from a distance, guiding them closer to their target.

They use their olfactory senses.

Butterflies also rely on their olfactory senses to locate host plants. Olfactory senses is a fancy way of saying they use their sense of smell.

However, butterfly senses work a little differently than you might expect.

They possess special receptors on their antennae that detect the chemical signals emitted by specific plants.

These chemical signals, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), act as aromatic cues. Each plant species emits a unique blend of VOCs that serves as a "scent signature."

Female butterflies, in particular, utilize their acute sense of smell to find suitable plants for egg-laying.

They can detect the presence of specific host plants from a distance, enabling them to navigate towards the right vegetation.

Essentially, female butterflies use their antennae to smell out the right host plants.

Butterflies find host plants using taste and touch.

You might also be surprised to learn that butterflies have taste receptors on their legs. This lets them sample the chemical composition of leaves and stems.

This taste testing is another strategy to help butterflies determine if a plant is suitable for egg-laying or nectar feeding.

After their sense of smell brings them to the right area, female butterflies may use their legs to "taste" potential host plants before deciding to lay eggs on them.

By assessing the chemical cues through contact, they can determine if the plant contains the necessary nutrients and defensive compounds required by their caterpillars.

Butterflies have excellent memories and are capable of learning.

Butterflies exhibit remarkable memory and learning capabilities, which contribute to their ability to find host plants.

Once they have successfully located and laid eggs on suitable host plants, they remember the associated visual and olfactory cues.

Butterflies can remember the specific plants that catered to their needs and the locations where they found them.

Additionally, they can learn and adapt their preferences based on experiences and interactions with different plant species.

Through a process of trial and error, butterflies learn which host plants best support the survival and development of their offspring.

How cool is that? Butterflies use all their senses to instinctively find host plants to lay their eggs on that will support them through the larva stages!

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Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about butterflies and their life cycles. Have you ever wondered what butterflies actually eat or which colors they see while looking for flowers to land on? Keep reading to learn the answers to those questions and several other FAQS about butterflies.

What do butterflies eat?

Butterflies primarily feed on nectar, which is the sweet liquid produced by flowers. Nectar provides butterflies with the energy they need for flying and other activities. However, the specific diet of a butterfly can vary depending on its species and life stage. Here's a breakdown:

1. Adult Butterflies: The main food source for adult butterflies is nectar. They have a long, tubular feeding organ called a proboscis, which they use to extract nectar from flowers.
   
   Butterflies are attracted to brightly colored, fragrant flowers that are rich in nectar. Some common nectar plants for butterflies include milkweed, coneflowers, zinnias, butterfly bush, and lantana.
   
2. Caterpillars: During their larval stage, butterflies are known as caterpillars. Caterpillars have different feeding preferences based on their species, and each species typically feeds on specific host plants.
   
   Host plants are specific plant species that caterpillars rely on for food and sometimes shelter. For example, monarch butterfly caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed plants. Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars may feed on plants such as parsley, dill, or citrus trees.

Learn more about the feeding habits of butterflies.

How long do butterflies live?

Unfortunately most butterflies don't live very long. The lifespan of an adult butterfly is typically somewhere between a few days and a few weeks. However this can very greatly by species. Some butterflies, like the Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) can live for months, sometimes surviving through the entire winter.

What is the life cycle of a butterfly?

The life cycle of a butterfly, known as metamorphosis, is made up of four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. Here's an overview of each stage:

1. Egg: The life cycle begins when a female butterfly lays eggs on or near host plants for that specific species. The eggs are usually small, round, or oval-shaped. Also depending on the species, they may be laid on the top or bottom of the leaf. Typically the egg hatches within a few days or a week.
2. Larva (Caterpillar): Once the egg hatches, the larval stage begins. The primary goal of the caterpillar stage is to feed and grow. A caterpillar grows through 5 stages, called instars. The caterpillar molts several times, shedding its outer skin to accommodate its growing body. Each time it sheds its skin, it enters a new instar.
3. Pupa (Chrysalis): When the caterpillar has reached its full size, it pupates into its chrysalis, also called a pupa. The caterpillar attaches itself to a surface, such as a leaf or twig, and sheds its skin one final time and forms a protective casing around its body. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar's body breaks down and rearranges itself, until it ecloses (the technical term for hatching from the chrysalis) as a butterfly.
4. Adult: The newly emerged butterfly has crumpled wings, and its body is filled with fluid. As it hangs or rests, its wings gradually expand and harden. The fluid is pumped from the abdomen to the wings to help them expand. Once the wings are fully developed and dry, the butterfly is ready to begin its adult life. The primary focus of the adult stage is reproduction and finding food, such as nectar from flowers. Adult butterflies will mate, lay eggs, and continue the life cycle.

The timeline of the life cycle of butterflies varies greatly by species. Many butterflies complete their entire lifecycle in 4-8 weeks, but others may take longer to hatch from eggs or spend more time in the chrysalis.

How do butterflies mate?

Butterflies mate through a process that involves courtship, mating, and fertilization.

Courtship: Male butterflies attract females through elaborate courtship rituals including wing movements, flights, pheromone release, and visual displays. The purpose of these displays is to signal the male's presence, health, and readiness to mate.

Mating: Once a male butterfly successfully attracts a female, they come together to mate. Butterflies typically mate while perched on a plant or any suitable surface, not while flying. During mating, the male butterfly positions himself on top of the female, aligning their abdomens.

Copulation: The actual act of mating is called copulation. Male butterflies have specialized claspers at the end of their abdomen, which they use to hold onto the female during mating.

Sperm Transfer: During copulation, the male transfers sperm to the female. In butterflies, the sperm is stored by the female for later use in fertilizing eggs. Mating durations can vary among species, ranging from a few seconds to several hours.

Post-Mating Behaviors: After mating, the male butterfly may continue to stay with the female for a short period, ensuring that no other males can mate with her during this critical time. This behavior, known as mate guarding, helps increase the chances of the male's sperm successfully fertilizing the female's eggs.

What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?

There are several differences that can help you differentiate between a butterfly and a moth. One of the easiest ways to tell is to observe their wing position. When at rest, butterflies typically hold their wings together above their bodies while moths hold their wings flat at their sides.

Learn more about the differences between butterflies and moths.

What are some common butterfly species?

There are estimated to be 750-800 species of butterflies in the United States alone, so "common" butterflies species may vary based on location and local plant life. But here are a few species that most butterfly enthusiasts will recognize.

• Monarch
• Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
• Cabbage White
• Painted Lady
• Eastern Black Swallowtail
• Red Admiral
• Silver-Spotted Skipper
• Clouded Sulphur

Learn more about these each of these common butterflies.

Where do butterflies live?

Butterflies can be found in most areas around the world and are extremely common around the United States. Different locations are home to different species of butterflies based on their habitat preferences. Here are some common types of habitats where butterflies are often found:

1. Gardens and Parks: Butterflies are frequent visitors to gardens, parks, and other green spaces. These areas often provide abundant nectar-rich flowers for feeding and suitable host plants for breeding. You can create your own butterfly-friendly garden by researching the butterflies in your area and planting their preferred host plants along with a variety of flowering plants native to your area.
2. Meadows and Fields: Open meadows and fields are prime habitats for many butterfly species. These expansive areas provide enough space for flying and offer a diverse range of wildflowers that serve as nectar sources for adult butterflies. Meadows also typically host specific host plants that caterpillars feed on.
3. Woodlands and Forests: Many butterfly species prefer full sun plants, but some butterfly species thrive in wooded areas and forests. Butterflies that prefer these habitats may rely on specific tree species as host plants for their caterpillars. They often inhabit the edges of forests, where there is a mix of sunlight and shade, allowing for a variety of plant species to grow.
4. Wetlands and Marshes: Certain butterfly species are adapted to wetland environments, such as marshes, swamps, and pond edges. These areas provide unique habitats with specialized plant species that act as host plants and nectar sources. Wetlands support a diverse range of butterfly species with their rich vegetation.
5. Coastal Areas: Coastal regions can be home to specific butterfly species that have adapted to live in these unique environments. Salt-tolerant plants and coastal dunes provide suitable shelter for certain butterflies, while nearby flowering plants attract them for nectar feeding.

The specific butterfly species you'll find in each habitat can vary based on the location, climate, and local ecological factors. Creating diverse habitats with a variety of native plants and providing food sources throughout the butterfly season can help attract and support butterflies in your area.

What colors can butterflies see?

Butterflies have fascinating visual systems that allow them to perceive a wide range of colors. Butterflies can even see more colors than humans can!

Ultraviolet Vision: Butterflies have UV-sensitive receptors in their eyes, which enable them to detect ultraviolet light. Many flowers have patterns or markings that are invisible to humans help butterflies find nectar sources and identify suitable flowers for feeding.

Broad Color Perception: Butterflies can see a wide spectrum of colors, including red, green, blue, and various shades in between. They can distinguish subtle color variations, which helps them identify specific flowers, mates, and even potential predators.

Color Preferences: Different butterfly species may have specific color preferences when it comes to selecting nectar sources or host plants for egg-laying. For example, some butterflies are attracted to bright, vibrant colors, while others may prefer more subdued or pastel shades.

Patterns and Contrasts: Butterflies are particularly sensitive to patterns and contrasts. They can perceive color variations and patterns on flowers, leaves, and other. These patterns often serve as visual cues for mating, identifying territory, and recognizing specific plant species.

Camouflage and Mimicry: Butterflies also rely on their color vision for survival strategies like camouflage and mimicry. Some butterfly species have evolved to resemble toxic or distasteful species, using vibrant colors as warning signals to potential predators.

A butterfly's ability to see a broad spectrum of colors, including ultraviolet light, plays a crucial role in its survival, reproduction, and interactions with its environment.

How do you attract butterflies to your garden?

Simply put - you attract butterflies to your garden by planting nectar plants and host plants - the specific plants butterflies lay their eggs on that caterpillars can eat. Host plants vary for each species of butterfly. Some butterfly species can feed on multiple types of plants, and some - like monarchs - will exclusively eat one type of plant.

Butterflies will instinctively find their host plants to lay eggs, and are attracted to vibrant nectar flowers as a food source. Providing both of these things in your garden will attract and benefit all types of pollinators, including butterflies!

Learn how to create a container butterfly garden to attract more butterflies to your yard!

How do butterflies fly?

Butterflies fly through a combination of flapping their wings and gliding. The process of butterfly flight involves several key factors that work together to help them get from place to place. This includes wing shape and movement, scales and flexibility and flight muscles combined with gliding. Learn more about how butterflies fly.

Unlike birds or insects like bees, which have direct muscle attachment to their wings, butterflies rely on the flexibility and unique structure of their wings to achieve flight. Learn more about how butterflies fly.

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Ever wondered how butterflies fly? It's pretty cool to see them fluttering through the air, but it's hard to tell exactly how they manage to fly. We're going to break it down for you here!

Butterflies fly through a combination of flapping their wings and gliding. The process of butterfly flight involves several key factors:

1. Wing Shape: Butterfly wings are broad and flat, with a delicate and lightweight structure. This shape allows them to generate lift and stay airborne.
   
2. Wing Flapping: Butterflies have strong muscles attached to their wings, which they use to flap their wings up and down in a figure 8 pattern. This motion creates the necessary thrust to propel themselves forward and upward.
   
3. Wing Scales: Butterfly wings are covered in tiny, overlapping scales that help provide rigidity and strength. These scales also contribute to the vibrant colors and patterns seen on butterfly wings.
   
   They're also how butterflies get their scientific name - Lepidoptera, which means scale wing in Greek.
   
4. Wing Flexibility: Butterfly wings are flexible and capable of adjusting their shape during flight. This flexibility allows butterflies to maneuver and change direction quickly.
   
5. Flight Muscles: Butterflies have well-developed flight muscles, known as the thorax muscles, that control the movement of their wings. These muscles contract and relax rapidly, enabling the wings to beat at a high frequency.
   
6. Gliding: Along with flapping their wings, butterflies also glide through the air. By spreading their wings and using air currents, they can maintain flight with minimal wing flapping, conserving energy during long flights.
   
7. Wing Beat Frequency: The frequency at which butterflies flap their wings varies among species but generally ranges from 5 to 12 beats per second. Smaller butterflies tend to have higher wing beat frequencies compared to larger species.
   
   The butterfly with the fastest wingbeat is the smidge at 62,760 beats per minute and the slowest is the swallowtail butterfly at just 300 beats per minute, according to the Smithsonian Institute.

Unlike birds or insects like bees, which have direct muscle attachment to their wings, butterflies rely on the flexibility and unique structure of their wings to achieve flight. Next time you see a butterfly fluttering around outside, you'll have a better understanding of how they're using their wings and body to get around!

If you're trying to attract butterflies to your garden, you may have found yourself wondering what do butterflies eat? Most of us know they like flowers, but there are some plants and flowers that attract more butterflies than others.

Butterflies primarily feed on nectar, which is the sweet liquid produced by flowers. Nectar provides butterflies with the energy they need for flying and other activities. However, the specific diet of a butterfly can vary depending on its species and life stage. Here's a breakdown:

What do adult butterflies eat?

The main food source for adult butterflies is nectar. They have a long, tubular feeding organ called a proboscis, which they use to extract nectar from flowers.

Butterflies are attracted to brightly colored, fragrant flowers that are rich in nectar. Some common nectar plants for butterflies include milkweed, coneflowers, zinnias, butterfly bush, and lantana. Adding these and other native nectar plants to your garden is sure to attract more butterflies!

What is puddling?

In addition to nectar, some butterflies engage in a behavior called "puddling" to obtain additional nutrients.

Puddling involves landing on damp soil, mud, or even animal droppings to take in other essential nutrients that they can't get in nectar. Fun fact: Puddling is more commonly observed in male butterflies.

You can also create your own puddling station in your butterfly garden. Add rocks (for landing on), smashed fruit and water to a bird bath or other small structure to encourage more pollinator visitors!

What do caterpillars eat?

Before they become butterflies, caterpillars have different feeding preferences based on their species, and each species typically feeds on specific host plants.

Host plants are specific plant species that caterpillars rely on for food and sometimes shelter. For example, monarch butterfly caterpillars can only eat milkweed plants. If this plant isn't available to them, they won't survive. Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars have a few more options and feed on plants such as parsley, dill, or citrus trees.

It's crucial to include host plants in your garden if you want to support caterpillars and encourage the butterfly life cycle.

Providing a variety of native host plants and nectar plants is the best way to attract butterflies to your yard!

Here's a list of common butterfly species found throughout the United States. Learn about their vibrant colors, physical characteristics, fascinating behaviors, and the regions where they can be found.

Everyone has seen butterflies, but learning to identify them can be fun and exciting! Each butterfly species has its own look, behaviors and preferences.

There are estimated to be 750-800 species of butterflies in the United States alone, so "common" butterflies species may vary based on location and local plant life. Here are a few of the most common butterfly species that most butterfly enthusiasts will recognize and newbies can easily learn to identify!

Monarch (Danaus plexippus): The Monarch butterfly is perhaps one of the most iconic and well-known species in North America. Monarchs are known for their distinctive orange and black wings with white spots. Monarchs make long-distance migrations from Mexico to the United States and Canada and are found throughout both countries. They also have their own conservation movement called #SaveTheMonarchs.

Monarch caterpillars are easy to attract to your butterfly garden when you plant milkweed, their only host plant.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus): Swallowtails are one of the most common and largest families of butterflies. In fact, you'll find another species of swallowtail on this list!

This large and striking butterfly is commonly seen in the eastern and central parts of the United States. The male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail has yellow wings with black stripes, while the female can vary in color from yellow to black.

Attract this large butterfly to your garden by planting its host plants - tulip trees, wild black cherry trees and sweet bay magnolia.

Cabbage White (Pieris rapae): The Cabbage White butterfly is a small to medium-sized butterfly with white wings. It is widely distributed across the United States and is commonly found in gardens and open areas. Caterpillars of this species feed on cabbage family plants.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui): The Painted Lady is a migratory butterfly that has a widespread distribution across North America. It is recognized for its orange-brown wings with black and white spots. Painted Ladies are also known to undertake long-distance migrations and are one of the most common butterflies people raise in butterfly kits purchased online.

Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes): This butterfly species is found in eastern and central parts of the United States. The Eastern Black Swallowtail has black wings with iridescent blue spots, along with distinctive yellow markings. The black swallowtail caterpillar can feed on several different host plants, making it an easy one to attract to your garden and raise indoors.

Other common swallowtails include the giant swallowtail, zebra swallowtail, spicebush swallowtail and pipevine swallowtail. There are over 500 species of swallowtail butterflies around the world.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta): The Red Admiral butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with black wings featuring red-orange bands and white spots. It is commonly found across the United States and is known for its active flight patterns.

Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus): The Silver-Spotted Skipper is a medium-sized butterfly with brown wings and prominent silver spots on its undersides. It is commonly observed in open areas, gardens, and along woodland edges.

It is just one species of skippers out of an estimated 3500 different types. 

Skippers actually share many characteristics of moths and are loosely classified as moth-butterflies. 

Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice): The Clouded Sulphur is a small to medium-sized butterfly with yellow wings. Males often have brighter yellow coloration, while females may have more pale or white markings. This yellow butterfly can be found across the United States.

The specific butterfly species you find depend on your location, habitat, and local environmental conditions. You can join butterfly groups on Facebook and consult other local conservation groups to learn more about the butterflies in your area!

How to attract more common butterflies to your garden:

The best way to attract different species of butterflies to your yard is to plant their caterpillar's host plant. Each species of caterpillar has a specific plant it eats to survive, and butterflies instinctively know to lay their eggs on these plants. So plant them and they will come!

Also fill your pollinator garden with a variety of flowers and nectar plants with a focus on native plants. Planting a wide variety of plants - including flowering plants and host plants - will help attract many different kinds of butterflies and other pollinators, and helps promote reproduction of many different insects that are currently suffering from habitat loss across the nation.

Butterflies and moths are both members of the order Lepidoptera and are easily confused because of their similar wings, body shapes and life cycles. They both go through the process of metamorphosis to change from larva to adults. However, there are some differences between the two that distinguish them from one another:

1. Body shape: While butterflies and moth look similar, their body shapes are slightly different. Butterflies tend to have slender, smoother bodies while moths often have plumper, hairier bodies.
2. Wings: Butterfly wings are usually bigger and more colorful, with intricate patterns and brighter hues. Moths tend to have smaller, duller wings with more subtle patterns.
3. Antennae: Butterfly antennae are typically thin with a small club at the end, while moth antennae can be feathery, comb-like or taper to a point.
4. Activity: Butterflies are usually most active during the day and moths are more active at night.
5. Wing position at rest: Wing position is one of the easiest ways to tell the difference between butterflies and moths. Butterflies typically hold their wings together above their backs (like clapping hands), while moths tend to lay their wings flat to their sides.
6. Chrysalis vs. cocoons: Another main difference occurs during the process of metamorphosis. Butterfly caterpillars shed their final layer of skin in the pupal stage and harden into a chrysalis. Moth caterpillars typically spin silk around themselves or use dirt and debris to form a cocoon before shedding their final layer of skin.

These are some of the main differences between butterflies and moths. However, there are always exceptions to these generalizations, and some moth species can be just as colorful and striking as butterflies.

Learning to raise butterflies is such a fun process, but there can be a learning curve with all the butterfly terminology. I've compiled a comprehensive glossary for butterfly enthusiasts to help you decipher what commonly used phrases mean!

Think of something that would be useful for new pollinator gardeners or butterfly enthusiasts to know? Let me know in the comments and I'll be happy to add to our glossary!

Adult: The final stage of a butterfly's life cycle, when it has fully developed wings and reproductive organs.

Antennae: The two long, thin sensory organs on the head of a butterfly that help it to sense smells and navigate its environment.

Basking: The behavior of a butterfly where it spreads its wings and exposes its body to the sun in order to warm up.

Butterflies: The common name for a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera that have wings covered in scales.

Chrysalis: The pupal stage of a butterfly's life cycle. The caterpillar transforms into a pupa inside a protective casing called a chrysalis, where it undergoes metamorphosis into an adult butterfly.

Cocoon: The protective casing spun by moth caterpillars during the pupal stage. Unlike butterflies, moths spin cocoons around themselves before entering the pupal stage.

Complete metamorphosis: A type of insect development that involves four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis.

Diapause: A period of dormancy or inactivity in a butterfly's life cycle, often triggered by seasonal changes or adverse environmental conditions.

Eclosion: The emergence of an adult butterfly from its pupal casing.

Egg: The first stage of a butterfly's life cycle, when a female butterfly lays an egg on a host plant.

Frass: The waste material produced by a caterpillar as it eats.

Host Plant: The plant species on which a butterfly lays its eggs, and on which the caterpillar feeds.

Instar: The stage between two molts of a caterpillar. Caterpillars typically go through five or six instars before they pupate.

Larva: The caterpillar stage of a butterfly's life cycle. Larvae are often referred to as caterpillars and are the only stage of a butterfly's life where they can eat.

Molt: The process of shedding its skin that a caterpillar goes through in order to grow larger.

Nectar: A sweet, sugary liquid that butterflies feed on. Nectar is produced by flowers to attract pollinators like butterflies.

Pheromones: Chemical signals that butterflies use to communicate with each other, particularly for mating.

Proboscis: The long, tubular mouthpart that butterflies use to suck up nectar and other liquids.

Puddling: The behavior of a butterfly where it lands on moist ground and drinks mineral-rich water.

Pupa: The developmental stage between the larva and adult stages, during which the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly or moth.

Scales: The tiny, overlapping plates that cover a butterfly's wings and give them their color and pattern.

Sphragis: A plug of dried mucus that male butterflies use to seal the female's reproductive tract after mating to prevent other males from fertilizing her eggs.

Spiracles: The small openings along the sides of a caterpillar's body that allow it to breathe.

Thorax: The middle segment of a butterfly's body, to which its wings and legs are attached. The thorax contains the butterfly's flight muscles.

Understanding this butterfly terminology will help you further understand the lifecycle and lifestyle of all your favorite butterflies!

Butterflies are some of the most beautiful and fascinating animals that exist. Since we started raising them inside, our entire family has become obsessed with butterflies and all the fun facts about them. Here are 10 interesting facts about butterflies you probably haven't heard about!

1. Butterflies are insects in the order Lepidoptera, which means "scale-winged."
   Their wings are made up of thousands of tiny scales that give them their vivid colors and patterns.
   
2. The largest butterfly in the world is the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing.
   It can have a wingspan of up to 12 inches (30 cm).
   
3. Butterflies taste with their feet!
   They have chemoreceptors on their tarsi (the end of their legs) that help them taste the plants they land on.
   
4. Some butterflies like the monarch migrate thousands of miles each year.
   Monarchs travel from Mexico to Canada and back again, and are found everywhere along the way. The journey can take up to four generations to complete.
   
5. Butterflies wings are connected by a hinge.
   This allows them to control each wing separately so they have more control when flying.
   
6. Butterflies only live 2-4 weeks on average.
   However, some butterflies live 6 months-1 year.
   
7. Butterflies can see in color!
   They can also see ultravoiolet light, which is not visible to humans.
   
8. The scales on a butterfly's wings serve another purpose besides creating vibrant prints and patterns.
   They also help regulate the butterfly's body temperature and protect it from predators.
   
9. Male butterflies have a special structure called a "clasper" that they use to hold onto the female during mating.
   
10. Butterflies are important pollinators and help to fertilize plants by transferring pollen from one flower to another.
    Learn how to start a butterfly garden and raise butterflies inside to help promote a healthy butterfly population!
    
11. Bonus: Butterfly caterpillars pupate into a chrysalis while moth caterpillars make cocoons.
    They aren't the same! Butterfly caterpillars shed a final layer of skin and harden into a protective casing where they undergo metamorphosis and moths spin a cocoon around themselves.

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