Butterflies

The butterflies in this category are all butterflies that can be found in this area.

Q &A about butterflies

Question: What are butterflies descended from?

Answer: Butterflies descended around 150 million years ago from the prehistoric ancestors of what are now bees. 

Question: Where does the word "butterfly" come from?

Answer: The name comes from the combinations of the words "butter" and "fly". One reason is possibly because of common species that were a yellow color and people mistook them for pats of butter flying around. Another possible explanation is because of an old belief that insects stole butter from people, therefore making the butterfly.

Question: Do we have any Karner Blue Butterflies?

Answer: No, we do not have Karner Blues. The reason for this is that they are endangered and we do not have the special permits required to keep these butterflies. If you would like to learn more about Karner Blue Butterflies, click here! Karner Blue 

Question: Where can you find butterflies in the wild?

Answer: You can find butterflies almost anywhere outside when warm enough. If you have any grass or flowers nearby, it's possible that butterflies are nearby.

Question: What are the predators of butterflies and caterpillars?

Answer: The predators of butterflies and caterpillars can overlap, however, some are different. Ants, spiders, and wasps are the main predators of caterpillars while mainly birds predate on butterflies. Birds eat both caterpillars and butterflies.

Question: What are the differences between moths and butterflies?

Answer: There are 4 main differences between butterflies and moths. 

1. Butterflies have long and straight antennae while moths' antennae are shaped like feathers and are soft

2.  Moths have hairy bodies while butterflies do not

3.  Butterflies are out during the day while moths are most commonly out during the night 

4. Butterflies rest with their wings closed while moths rest with their wings open.

Question: What do butterflies do for the ecosystem and why are they important?

Answer: Butterflies pollinate flowers like bees and other insects. They are very important to the ecosystem because, without them, we couldn't grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, or any other plants.

Question: What are the stages of the butterfly life cycle?

Answer: There are four main stages: The egg,  caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. Butterflies go through their life stages in that order.