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March 14th is the National Butterfly day. There is a lot to learn from butterflies.
You might have heard this saying:
There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.
This is so true for our children. We don’t know how they could turn into when they grow up, if nourished with care.
The butterflies are also an inspiration to us to adapt to the change.
Without change, there would be no butterflies.
Let’s see some interesting facts today about butterflies :
- The Hungry Caterpillar
Did you hear the story of the hungry caterpillar? It’s true after all. The first meal that caterpillars have is the shell in which they are hatched. When many caterpillars eat on a plant, we can actually hear a lot of munching noise that they make. Most caterpillars are herbivores (plant eaters).
2. Butterfly is an insect
Butterflies are actually insects. Orange and black Monarch Butterflies are the most commonly found species in America. They communicate with each other by scents and colors. They change the color of their wings to bright orange to warn the predators that they are poisonous.
3. Butterflies cannot fly if temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Butterflies work well if their internal body temperature is 82 degrees F and the wings cannot function if it is too cold for them. So, they cannot fly and search for food either if the temperatures go below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Monarch butterflies are cold-blooded.
4. Butterflies taste with their feet
Since butterflies have taste sensors on their feet, they stand on plants and decide if that plant is good to lay eggs. Thay will choose a plant through which caterpillars can feed on. Another interesting fact is that most of the adult butterflies cannot chew or bite.
5. The eyes of butterflies are made of 6000 lenses and they can see ultraviolet rays
Butterflies have 2 different types of eyesights – Single and compound. While single sight is mainly to determine the brightness of light, the compound sight is the main eyesight to search for food.They can see light in the wavelengths ranging from 250 to 600 nm which includes ultraviolet rays. Human beings can see light in the wavelengths of 450 to 700 nm only.
Aren’t these facts interesting?
The butterflies are not only beautiful creatures with bright colored wings but also insects with some special abilities. Don’t you agree?
Mahathi Ramya is a mom of 2 boys, a blogger, software testing professional and a classical dance teacher. She writes on books, travel, and parenting. She loves writing, traveling and painting a lot.
7 Responses
Forget the kids – I’ve learned so much from his post =). Will be delighted to share these fascinating facts with my children. Brilliant! Evelyn, PathofPresence.com
Yes. Even I learned new things researching for the post.
We just read The Very Hungry Caterpillar tonight before bed! I love all the fun facts about butterflies…I’m excited to share them with my son.
Thanks Erica.
This is such an interesting post. It’s quite amusing to know that butterflies taste with their feet and they can see ultraviolet rays. Really? Wow! I must admit I didn’t know about any of these facts before reading your post. Thanks for sharing this interesting information. 🙂
It is fascinating to learn that butterflies change their wings to an orange color to ward off predators. In the Bay Area we have a wonderful place called Natural Bridges State Beach where the Monarchs gather each winter. I now have a much greater appreciation of these beautiful insects!
I only know that butterflies can spread pollen. It turns out that the butterfly’s way of life is so interesting. I really appreciate your sharing. I’ve learned a lot about butterflies and I will share with my friends.