Butterflies and Moths
Spangled, striped, and spotted, butterflies dazzle our eyes as
they flit through the air. Most of their duller kin, the moths,
fly by night and hide during the day. But some moths possess
brilliant wings. The Luna Moth, for example, flaps in the night
on ghostly aqua-green wings four inches wide.
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Luna Moth
© Rob & Ann Simpson
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Butterfly or Moth?
How do you tell a butterfly from a moth? Most butterflies hold their
wings together over the back when resting. A moth generally holds its
wings spread out over its body or curled up tightly around it. A
butterfly’s antennae are generally long, with knobs at the end. A moth’s
antennae lack knobs, are usually shorter, and may be fuzzy.
Zebra Swallowtail’s coiled
proboscis. © Brian Kenney |
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Tongue-twirled
Most butterflies and moths have a coiled-tube mouthpart
called a proboscis. It works like a straw, sucking up nectar,
tree sap, and fruit juice. Some moths drink tears that bathe
animals’ eyes.
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Monarch
© Brian Kenney
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Long-distance Champion
Like many birds, the butterfly known as the Monarch migrates
south for the winter. Eastern and midwestern Monarchs fly all
the way to Mexico. Western Monarchs fly to forests along
California’s coast. In spring, the Monarchs head north to lay
eggs. The adults die, but their young finish the journey north.
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Butterfly Garden
You can attract butterflies to your yard by planting the flowers
they dine on. Daisies, lilacs, snapdragons, cosmos, and yarrow
are common garden plants that lure butterflies. Butterflies will
also flock to “butterfly bushes,” which are called Buddleia and
grow orange, white, blue, pink, or purple flowers. Find a sunny
spot, then plant what will grow well in your area.
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Pipevine Swallowtail ©
Brian Kenney
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Eating Machines
Moths and butterflies undergo complete metamorphoses. Eggs
are laid on plants that the larvae (caterpillars) eat. Some
caterpillars have big spots that look like eyes and help startle
predators. Others have sharp spines to protect themselves.
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Woolly Bear Caterpillar © Rob Curtis - The Early Birder
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