A decline in the population of butterflies has been noticed in many places around the world. It has been determined that this collapse in the number of most species of butterflies is caused by global climate change. Here are 10 beautiful facts about butterflies that will amaze you.
Butterflies Live On An All-liquid Diet
Adult butterflies can only feed on liquids or they usually live on an all-liquid diet. It means that their source of food is exclusively liquid. They actually don’t have the necessary apparatus for chewing. Their mouthparts are modified in such a manner that they are only able to drink, but they cannot chew solids. Butterflies drink using a long nose-like tube which is called a proboscis when they find a source of nectar or other liquid nutrition.
There Are A Lot Of Butterfly Species
There are over 17,500 recorded butterfly species around the world. Out of those, 750 species can be found in the United States.
Average Lifespan Of An Adult Butterfly
In most cases, the average lifespan of an adult butterfly is approximately three to four weeks. However, the entire life cycle of a butterfly can last anywhere between two to eight months. Some of the smallest species of butterflies can only survive for a few days. But some migratory butterflies, like the North American Monarch, can survive for nearly eight to nine months.
Butterflies Are Everywhere
Antarctica is the only continent on our planet earth that has no butterflies.
Monarch Butterflies Travel More Than 2,500 Miles In The Winter Season
Monarch butterflies are the only insect in the whole world that travels more than 2,500 miles on average every winter season in order to survive the climate.
Butterflies Need A High Body Temperature To Fly
Butterflies actually need to maintain a high body temperature to fly around. They need an ideal body temperature of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit to fly. As they are cold-blooded animals, they can’t regulate their own body temperature. Because of that, the surrounding air temperature has a significant impact on their ability to function. If the air temperature falls under 55 degrees Fahrenheit, butterflies are rendered completely immobile.
Most Common Butterfly In The US
The Cabbage White species of butterfly is the most common or the most commonly found butterfly in the US.
Butterflies Have Been Impacted By Climate Changes
The North American Monarch is one of the species of butterflies which has been the most severely impacted by the recent climate changes.
Butterflies Taste With Their Feet
Butterflies have senses of taste, smell, and touch and their taste receptors are actually located on their feet which help them to find their host plants and locate food. So, butterflies actually taste with their feet.
