Butterflies

Butterflies are insects found around the world. Butterflies go through a process known as metamorphosis as they grow. Butterflies have four life stages:
  1. Egg - A butterfly starts its life as an egg.
  2. Larva - The larva (caterpillar) hatches from an egg and eats leaves almost constantly. As it gets larger, the caterpillar sheds its old skin many times.
  3. Pupa - The caterpillar turns into a pupa (chrysalis); this is a resting stage.
  4. Adult - A full grown flying butterfly emerges from the chrysalis.
How to tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth.
  • Primary Period of Activity: Butterflies tend to be most active in the day because they require sunlight to raise their body temperature prior to flight. Moths beat their winds prior to flight in order to raise their body temperature and therefore allowing nocturnal flight.
  • Antenna Shape: Butterflies have club-shaped antennae, while moths have feathery or straight antennae
Orange butterfly in Vietnam


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