Butterflies, with the more numerous moths, belong to the order Lepidoptera. They differ from all other insects in that they have scales covering their wings and often their bodies. Hence the name Lepidoptera, which comes from the Greek words meaning “scale-wing.” There are approximately 17,000 species of butterflies worldwide, and about 700 species in North America.

The butterfly life cycle is an example of "complete metamorphosis". A butterfly begins life as an egg which hatches into a caterpillar (larva). Feeding on the leaves of its larval food plant, a specific plant needed by the caterpillar for food, the caterpillar grows and periodically sheds its skin through a process called molting. After the final molt, the pupa, or chrysalis, emerges from the caterpillar’s skin. Inside the pupal case, the pupa (PYOO puh) makes a miraculous transformation to emerge as a winged butterfly. Most adult butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers. Males spend their time eating and searching for mates. Females lay eggs on the leaves of a larval food plant, and the life cycle begins again.

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.

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…