Butterflies are probably the most beautiful insects. They are even called flying flowers. Butterfly wings are covered with scales shimmering in the sun, which form a beautiful pattern. There are 165,000 species of butterflies in the world, and each of them has its own characteristics.

This large group of insects lives in different parts of our planet. Some species of butterflies can live near the Arctic Circle and reach places where the snow and ice never melt. Butterflies also live in the mountains at an altitude of up to 6 kilometers. In summer, they can be seen in the garden, forest and even in city parks.

Day and night

All butterflies are divided into diurnal (club-whiskered) and nocturnal (different). All diurnal butterflies have a thickening at the ends of the antennae, similar to a tiny mace. And the antennae of moths are very diverse in shape - some look like scallops, others look like brushes, and others look like files. The flight of nocturnal and diurnal butterflies also has some differences, for example, diurnal butterflies fold their wings behind their backs in a different way - so that only their “wrong side” is visible. The night ones fold their wings in a “house” on their back, showing their upper side.

Why do butterflies have such beautiful wings?

The body and wings of a butterfly are covered with tiny scales that come in all colors of the rainbow. Butterflies need such colorful wings not only for beauty, but also in order to survive. Patterns make butterflies invisible to enemies against the backdrop of bright summer flowers and plant leaves. The butterfly, landing on a flower, almost merges with it, thereby confusing predators.

Where do butterflies fly?

Some butterflies are migratory. So, white butterflies gather in huge flocks every year and fly a distance of several thousand kilometers.

Long haul champions are monarch butterflies. Every year they travel from Canada to Mexico and back, overcoming a path of more than 5,000 kilometers. The flight from north to south, wintering and spring breeding is performed by one generation of butterflies. And while traveling from south to north, four generations are replaced. Butterflies of the fourth generation live about 6 months longer than others. This time is enough to fly from Canada to the mountains of Mexico, spend the winter and breed in the spring. It still remains a mystery how butterflies find their way to where they have never been, and determine the place where their ancestors flew from.

What can butterflies not live without?

Butterflies, like all living things, need water and many chemical elements, without which they could not live. One of these elements is sodium, which is found in various salts. And butterflies in search of salt and water often gather in large groups on wet sand, on clay soil, next to water bodies.

How do butterflies protect themselves from enemies?

Butterflies are very delicate creatures. During their lives, they have to defend themselves from numerous enemies. An amazing way of protection was “invented” by a blue butterfly. Its caterpillars call for help from ants that protect them from predators. Ants take the edible liquid secreted by the caterpillars as payment for their labors. Even after the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, the ants continue to guard it. Many butterflies use frightening coloring of wings, similar to the colors of any large predator, to scare away enemies. And many caterpillars simply try to blend in with the surrounding plants. Caterpillars of monarch butterflies accumulate poisonous substances in themselves, which then pass to an adult. A bird that dares to peck at it will be severely poisoned or killed. The surviving bird will never dare to attack such butterflies again.

How does a butterfly emerge from a caterpillar?

A butterfly with beautiful wings and a slender body emerges from an ugly green caterpillar. This mysterious transformation occurs in several stages.

1. The female butterfly lays her eggs on the leaves of the plant.
2. Caterpillars emerge from the eggs. To grow faster, they gnaw on the leaves and stems of plants, eat juicy fruits.
3. The caterpillar releases a thread from its mouth, which it wraps around its body and thus attaches itself to a tree branch.
4. The caterpillar sheds its striped skin and becomes a chrysalis. She hangs on a branch without moving.
5. Gradually, the future body of the butterfly is formed inside the pupa.
6. The shell of the pupa is torn at the border of the antennae with wings and the head with the thorax.
7. The butterfly is attached to the branch, and its wings gradually spread, and the butterfly is ready to fly.

Caterpillars of some species of pigeon butterflies generally live inside an anthill. Worker ants carry each hatched caterpillar to their nest. There she lives happily ever after until she pupates and turns into a butterfly. All this time, the ants feed the caterpillar and protect it from danger. The secret of this behavior of ants is that the caterpillar can sing in the same way as the ant queen.

How harmful are caterpillars?

Caterpillars eat plants and live in trees, shrubs and grass. Many types of caterpillars are pests. For example, winter scoops eat grain. And apple and plum codling moths eat fruits. A lot of harm is done by indoor moths that feed on wool, fur and products made from them.

The moth is a tiny butterfly that is a household pest. This insect spoils clothing fabrics by eating them, and also gnaws at the silk upholstery of furniture. The fur coat moth is also called a fashionista, because she is very picky in her choice of food. For example, the caterpillar of the fur coat moth disdains cotton and woolen fabrics. "Her Highness" eats exclusively fur products.

What is the biggest butterfly?

One of the largest butterflies in the world. Its wingspan is over 25 centimeters. These butterflies live in the tropical forests of Asia. Adults do not eat, but live off the reserves accumulated during the caterpillar stage, so their life expectancy is only 1-2 weeks. If you look closely at the wings of the atlas, you can see the image of the torso and head of the snake. This butterfly is also famous for the fact that a special type of fabric is made from the threads of its cocoon - durable and strong lumber silk.

Can butterflies sing?

Butterfly called Dead Head(it is also called hawk moth) has amazing vocal abilities. She can imitate the singing of the queen bee in order to lull the guard bees and penetrate the hive, where you can feast on honey.

This butterfly is one of the largest in the world. The wingspan can reach 15 centimeters, and its weight is about 9 grams. In flight, a dead head can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. This butterfly is absolutely harmless, although the peculiar pattern on its back in the form of a skull inspires fear in people.