Butterfly Information
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterflies:
Q. Can butterflies fly without their scales?
A. We have all heard that if we touch a butterfly's wings it will not be able to fly. If a butterfly's wings are touched, some of the scales can rub off. The slipperiness and easy detachment of butterfly scales may help butterflies escape predators. If a butterfly loses some of its scales, it will be able to fly; however, if a butterfly is over-touched, other damage could be done to the wing which could prevent the butterfly from flying.
Q. Can butterflies repair their damaged wings?
A. No! However, butterflies can continue to fly with less than half their wing.
Q. Are there any extinct butterflies?
A. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists 16 species as endangered or threatened. These are the only species listed; several other candidates are being considered for listing. The only American butterfly known to have become extinct from human cause is the Xerces blue, which vanished from the San Francisco Peninsula in 1943.
Q. Why are butterflies important?
A. Butterflies are ideal monitors for habitat destruction, pollution and the overuse of pesticides and herbicides. Also, since nectar is the food of most adult butterflies, as they visit flowers they transfer pollen, assisting in crop pollination. They are also an important part of the food web.
Q. What are the differences between butterflies and moths?
A. There are always exceptions but generally: The tips of the butterfly's antennae are usually knobbed. The antennae of most moths are tapered at the tip and are feathery. Most butterflies are active in the day. Most moths are active at night. Butterflies, at rest, hold their wings vertically over their back. Moths fold their wings over their back or extend them to the sides. A butterfly's wings are not hooked together. Moth's wings are often hooked together. Butterflies' bodies are often slender and smooth. A moth's body is often thick and furry. A butterfly's pupa is called a chrysalis, not a cocoon. A moth's pupa is often within a silken cocoon, or if naked, within the soil.
back to top
BUTTERFLY BASICS
Butterfly families&
Butterflies and moths are part of one order of insects called the Lepidoptera, which means "scaly wings." There are about 17,000 species of butterflies in the world and 700 species in North America.Metamorphosis& from caterpillar to butterfly&
Metamorphosis - A changing of form, a transformation. There are two main types of metamorphosis - incomplete and complete.
Incomplete - The immature nymphs resemble the adult with no wings. On the final molt, the nymphs develop wings and genitalia.
Complete - The insect develops through distinct body forms: egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and adult. Butterflies are an example of complete metamorphosis.
Female butterflies lay their eggs - up to 1,600 during her lifetime - only on the type of plant that the particular caterpillar species will eat. This plant is called the host plant or the larval food plant. Four to 10 days later, a caterpillar will emerge from the egg.
The role of the caterpillar is to eat, often eating its own eggshell, then move on to devour the larval food plant. Because caterpillars are insects, they have an exoskeleton and have to molt to grow. Depending on the species, a caterpillar will molt four to six times. The final molt of the caterpillar is an amazing process. Using its spinnerets, the caterpillar attaches itself to a plant or other object. It may hang upside down from a pad of silk or spin a thin girdle of silk that supports it in an upward position. Once attached the caterpillar molts again, however, this time, the chrysalis or pupa is produced under the exoskeleton. This is the resting stage of the butterfly's life cycle.
The butterfly emerges from the pupae case a week to many months later, depending on the season and the species of butterfly. When it emerges, the wings are wrinkled and small. It hangs upside down and pumps hemolymph, insect blood, into the veins of its wings to make them expand. The butterfly can't fly away until its wings are hardened. Now that its wormlike appearance has been shed, the butterfly has four wings, two antennae, compound eyes, which see all the colors we see plus ultraviolet, and six legs. Its mouthpart, proboscis, is now a long, tube-like structure used to drink nectar.
The average life span of a butterfly is two weeks, but can be as brief as two days or as long as a year.
Butterfly behaviors&
Basking - Sunlight is the elixir of life for butterflies. They need it to fly. When basking, butterflies position their wings at a right angle to the incoming light. The warmth from basking is transferred to the butterfly's thoracic flight muscles. If you watch a butterfly basking, you may notice that they slowly open and close their wings. They are regulating heat absorption and dispersal.
Puddling - Groupings of butterflies often congregate at pools and along streams and rivers to extract minerals and nutrients from water and mud. Males need extra salts and amino acids for reproduction.
Mating - Once a male finds a potential mate, he flies either above or behind the female, often with an increased fluttering wingbeat. If the female is receptive, the male grasps her with his claspers and transfers a spermatophore. Mating usually lasts several hours and often occurs while the pair is flying. After mating is completed, the male flies off to find another female and the female begins the search for a host plant. The cycle continues&
back to top
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP LOCAL BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS
Reconsider Butterfly Releases
It has become popular to release commercially bred butterflies at special occasions such as weddings, fairs and other events. Although a seemingly harmless practice, many scientists have stated that releasing butterflies into the wild has the potential of harming wild butterfly populations and ecosystems. Their concerns include the following:
" Some released, non-native butterflies could mate with wild butterflies, potentially polluting or reducing the genetic viability of wild populations.
" Massive releases of commercially raised butterflies may also skew data related to butterfly counts that help monitor the status of wild butterfly populations.
" Butterfly breeders, who are not properly permitted by appropriate regulatory agencies or who do not follow industry standards, could produce butterflies that carry diseases and parasites that might spread to wild butterflies.
Since butterflies are considered potential plant pests, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and corresponding state agencies have the responsibility of regulating the butterfly breeding industry. USDA regulates and issues permits for breeding a limited number of butterfly species approved for release. The approval of species for release is also regulated by state agencies.
If you are thinking about releasing butterflies for a special occasion, it is important to consider all of the above factors. Contact your state agency to determine which species/types of butterflies are allowed for release in your area. And make sure that the organization from which you are receiving the butterflies has all the proper governmental permits.
Thank you for making an informed decision about butterfly releases. For more information, check out the North American Butterfly Association's release about this subject .
 Plant Your Own Butterfly Garden
You can create a welcoming environment for butterflies in your own neighborhood. All it takes is water, a sunny location, and some good soil and space for plants.
Learn which butterflies live in your region. Use this guide and books from the library to discover how to attract native butterflies.
Learn which plants are native to your region. Butterflies depend on plants for their survival.
Provide plants that help butterflies survive. Different plants are needed during different stages of a butterfly's life. Make sure you have food plants for caterpillars as well as flowering plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies.
Avoid using pesticides in your garden. If a garden is good for butterflies, it is also good for birds, other wildlife and you.
Some Food Plants for Caterpillars
| Trees |
Caterpillars |
| Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), quaking aspen (P. tremuloides) and willows (Salix spp.) |
western tiger swallowtail, mourning cloak and others (especially willows) |
| Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and pines (Pinus spp.) |
pine white |
| Garden Flowers and Ground Covers |
|
| Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) |
painted lady, west coast lady |
| Kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) |
spring azure, brown elfin |
| Vegetables |
|
| Broccoli, cabbage (Brassica oleracae var.) |
cabbage white |
| Beans (Phaseolu vulgaris var.) |
gray hairstreak |
| Carrot, dill, fennel, parsley (Umbelliferae family) |
anise swallowtail |
| Common "Weedy" Species |
|
| Nettle (Urtica lyallii) |
Milberts tortoiseshell, red admiral, satyr anglewing |
| Clover (Trifolium spp.) |
common sulfur, orange sulfur |
Some Flowering Plants for Butterflies
| Plants |
Bloom Time |
| Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii) |
June/July |
| Mountain balm (Ceanothus velutinus) |
April/May |
| Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) |
August/September |
| Garden Shrubs |
|
| Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) |
All summer |
| Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) |
April/May |
| Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) |
April/May |
| Garden Flowers |
|
| Bee balm (Monarda didyma) |
June/July |
| Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) |
All Summer |
| Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) |
June/July |
| Phlox (Phlox paniculata) |
June- August |
| Purple cornflower (Echinacea purpurea) |
July- September |
Information courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA
back to top
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Endangered Fender's Blue
Endangered Fender's Blue butterflies face a double dilemma.
First, their caterpillars will eat only Kincaids lupine, a threatened plant that is disappearing. Second, non-native weeds are crowding out the nectar plants the adult butterfly feeds upon.
Kincaids lupine and the other plants the butterfly needs are found in upland prairie habitat in the Willamette Valley. Only scattered patches of that habitat still exist. The butterfly has disappeared from many of the patches that remain.
The Oregon Zoo raises Fender's Blue butterflies to be released in the small patches of upland prairie habitat that remain. Other partners in this project are working to restore the habitat with the plants the butterfly and its caterpillar need.
THE OREGON SILVERSPOT BUTTERFLY PROJECT
By Mary Jo Andersen, Blair Csuti and David Shepherdson
The Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) is one of two Oregon butterflies listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Once found in coastal headlands from northern California to southern Washington, it has disappeared from all but a handful of sites along the Oregon coast. In addition to habitat losses, one possible factor in its decline has been fire suppression, which allows grass to overshadow its obligate larval host plant, the western blue violet (Viola adunca).
The Nature Conservancy's 280-acre Cascade Head Reserve in southern Tillamook County is home to one of the surviving populations. During the last ten years, butterfly monitoring at Cascade Head has shown a dramatic decline in the number of butterflies seen flying. From an average of over 1,000 adults seen most years prior to 1992, only 57 butterflies were recorded in 1998. In response, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has initiated a habitat management plan that will use controlled burning to increase host plant populations. For the next several years, however, while the population hovers near extinction, TNC, the Oregon Zoo, and Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo have embarked on a butterfly-rearing program designed to maintain genetic variability in the population and increase the likelihood of its natural recovery.
During the 1999 and 2001 flight seasons, ten female butterflies were brought from Cascade Head and induced to lay eggs in laboratories at the Oregon Zoo. These butterflies that were captured toward the end of their life cycle, with the intent that they would have already bred and laid some eggs in the field before being brought into captivity. Every day, the butterflies were fed nectar, a solution of sugar water and egg white, by placing them on saturated cotton balls.
The eggs were collected daily, and put into separate petri dishes. After approximately ten days, many of the eggs hatched out into tiny larvae. Each larvae is about two millimeters long, and under a microscope, can be seen to be a perfect miniature caterpillar! At this stage, the larvae do not eat, but they were given drinks of water by placing them on moist filter paper. After drinking, they were placed in cylinders inside custom made alder cubes, and put into a refrigerator for winter diapause, or hibernation.
Following winter dormancy, the butterfly larvae are fed Viola leaves until they are large enough to be returned to Cascade Head. Larvae are fed until they pupate. They are then returned to Cascade Head ready to emerge as adult butterflies.
back to top
Interdependence of Butterflies and Flowers
" Adult butterflies pollinate many different plant species, and many flowers have specific adaptations for attracting them.
" Many butterfly attractors bear dense clusters of small flowers that enable the butterfly to sip nectar simply by moving its proboscis from one blossom to another. Such flowers allow the butterfly to conserve energy while feeding.
" Most butterflies and many other insects can see ultraviolet, a color that is invisible to human eyes. Many flowers and butterfly wings include ultraviolet in their color mix. Within a species, the presence or absence of these markings typically helps to differentiate between males and females.
" Flowers also use the secret communication line of ultraviolet. The flower's color, form, aroma and nectar guides work in combination as signals and signposts to efficiently guide the butterfly or other insect to the source of nectar.
" The blooms that we enjoy with our eyes and noses are also the beacons, landing platforms and launching pads for pollinators. In the process, insects get dusted with pollen, which they carry to other flowers. This, in turn, helps the plants produce seeds and reproduce.
" Most butterflies prefer flowers that are pink, red, purple or yellow and that are open all day. Most moths lean toward pale or white flowers that open in the evening.
" There are orchids in Madagascar that are totally dependent on hawk moths for pollination.
OREGON ZOO UNITES WITH Nation's ZOOS TO PROTECT ENDANGERED BUTTERFLIES
Due to the alarming decline of butterflies in the Northwest and throughout North America, the Oregon Zoo has united with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and 34 zoos and aquariums from around the country to form the Butterfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI), a program designed to bring together non-governmental organizations and government agencies to aid the recovery of imperiled North American butterflies. In the summer of 2002 the BFCI received a $52,000 challenge grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and $10,000 from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to support this initiative.
BFCI aims to recover imperiled butterfly populations by raising public awareness about habitat protection and by undertaking restoration efforts. The participating organizations will work together to involve the public in outreach, education and community conservation activities.
Currently, there are 22 federally listed butterfly species that are either threatened or endangered. In Oregon, there are two endangered butterfly species: Oregon silverspot and Fender's blue. The zoo's conservation efforts for northwest butterflies are described in the zoo's new Winged Wonders exhibit, which features more than 20 North American species. The Oregon Zoo rears the Oregon silverspot for release at Cascade Head on the Oregon coast. Through grant support from Foley/Frischkorn Wildlife Conservation Fund, the zoo works collaboratively with Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Department of Forestry, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon State University to save these endangered butterflies.
"Butterflies and other insects are indicators of the overall health of an ecosystem; their decline is telling us we need to act now," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "For the past three years, the Oregon Zoo has reared endangered Oregon silverspot butterflies. We're pleased that more and more conservation organizations are taking leadership roles in butterfly stewardship."
Butterflies and other insects pollinate the vast majority of all food plants on earth.
"The loss of butterflies and other pollinators would be a biological disaster," said Vecchio. "Butterflies are threatened by habitat loss, the widespread use of pesticides and the introduction of invasive species that out compete host plants. This initiative helps focus our efforts to save species found in our own backyards."
According to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, "Effective conservation of threatened and endangered species is based on a partnership between people and the government. The Butterfly Conservation Initiative exemplifies this principle, and could serve as a model for other cooperative endangered species conservation efforts. Together, we can work to conserve and recover these amazing species for future generations."
BFCI members will aim to recover imperiled butterfly populations by raising public awareness about habitat protection and by undertaking restoration efforts where appropriate. The participating organizations will work together to involve the public in outreach, education and community conservation activities.
The BFCI working collaboratively with Xerces Society researchers and AZA and USFWS biologists will develop a "matrix of needs" for all 22 imperiled species so that the BFCI targets its efforts and maximizes the impact of its butterfly recovery work.
The founding members of the BFCI include Oregon Zoo and Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo as well as the Abilene Zoo, Akron Zoo, Albuquerque Biological Park, Audubon Nature Institute, Baltimore Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Central Florida Zoological Park, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Dallas World Aquarium, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Detroit Zoological Park, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Henry Vilas Zoo, John Ball Park Zoo, The Living Desert, Louisville Zoo, Miami Metrozoo, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Oklahoma City Zoo, Potawatomi Zoo, Racine Zoological Gardens, Reid Park Zoo Teen Volunteers, Roger Williams Park Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoo, Seneca Park Zoo Society, Toledo Zoo, and Toronto Zoo.
The Oregon Zoo, in cooperation with AZA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Federation, Xerces Society and accredited zoos and aquariums are committed to butterfly conservation and environmental stewardship.
Butterflies and moths are part of one order of insects called the Lepidoptera, which means "scaly wings." There are about 17,000 species of butterflies in the world and 700 species in North America.
The Oregon Zoo's Winged Wonders butterfly garden, which runs May 24 through September 1, is open daily at 10 a.m. There is an additional $2 fee to tour the garden. A portion of the proceeds helps fund the zoo's butterfly education and conservation efforts.
|
