Butterflies

1) Egg: tough shelled and laid in large numbers, usually on or near a food source for the larva.

2) Larva (caterpillar): when sufficiently developed, eats its way out of the eggshell. As it grows it sheds its head capsule and skin several times. This stage usually lasts about one month, though in some species it lasts up to two years.

3) Pupa (chrysalis): produced by the final molt (shedding of skin). Generally smooth and fairly immobile, and wrapped in a cocoon of silk.

4) Adult: The butterfly emerges from its cocoon after several days to several months of transformation. Its body structures harden, and its wings expand and harden.

Some species of butterflies live for several months, during which time they eat, find a mate and reproduce. Some species migrate long distances. The most popular of the migrating butterflies is the Monarch butterfly.

In the larval stage, butterflies mainly eat live plants, but some eat woody material, dead plants, or animal matter. Sometimes considered a nuisance to home gardeners, or a threat to crop plants. In addition to their beauty, butterflies benefit the planet by cross-pollenating flowering plants. They are second only to bees in this function.

 
Butterfly Links
Find more information about butterflies at these websites:

The Butterfly WebSite
http://butterflywebsite.com/

Butterflies of North America
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardening
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/butterfly_gardening

The Monarch Watch
http://monarchwatch.org/index.html

Threats to the environment - article discusses effects of genetic engineering of corn, including its affects on Monarch butterflies
http://www.thecampaign.org/issues.php

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