March 14 is National Learn about
Butterflies Day: a day dedicated to exploring the most familiar and
admirable insect. Butterflies occur on every continent except Antarctica, and
are important pollinators in our ecosystems. Take time to observe our
fluttering friends as they take to the skies in early spring. Monarch
butterflies are the only migratory butterflies, and are noteworthy in their
impressive flight distances from Mexico to the northern United States and
Canada.
Butterflies are closely related to moths, but
differ in a few ways. Butterflies are more active in the daytime, generally
being brighter in colour than moths. Butterfly wings stand vertically
when resting. The wings of butterflies and moths are covered with microscopic
scales that appear as a powder to the naked eye, and grant neutral or
iridescent colours to the wings.
Butterflies have four stages of their life
cycle beginning with an egg that hatches into a caterpillar. The caterpillar
spends its days eating in preparation to build itself a chrysalis within which
it undergoes metamorphosis. In the chrysalis, the caterpillar’s body cells
completely break down to rebuild itself into the winged butterfly.
The best way to learn more about these
creatures is to observe them. Plant a native wildflower garden providing food
and a habitat for them, grab a lawn chair, and watch as the butterflies flutter
by.
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