Fun Facts
mostly just pretty pictures. (:
1) Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera meaning scale wings.
2) Lepidopterans undergo complete metamorphosis: egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupa (chrysalis or cocoon) to adult
3) Sphingids, a type of moth, are some of the fastest flying insects. Some are capable of flying at over 50 km/h (30 miles per hour). In addition, there is a species of Sphingidae which resembles a hummingbird. It has a long proboscis (straw-like mouth part), demonstrates hovering behaviour, and creates an audible humming noise while feeding on flowers.
4) A quick and dirty way to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly is by looking at the way it holds its wings at rest. A butterfly will fold its wings up vertically (unless it's sunning itself) and a moth will keep its wings out like an airplane. Also, moths tend to have comb-like or feathery antennae while butterflies usually have filamentous antennae ending in a club shape. Also, moths typically form a cocoon where as butterflies form a chrysalis.
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Famous Lepidopterans:
The Death's Head Moth and MOTHRA!
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I can't leave you today without talkling about The Devine, Mothra (モスラ Mosura) One of, if not the most famous moth/butterflies in the world. Below is the Mothra song from Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S.
The Shobijin (priestesses or fairies), sang this to awaken Mothra's egg. " (source: YouTube) "In Mothra they demonstrate telepathic ability, with people and with Mothra. They explain that while they call to Mothra in prayer and song, they and Mothra are also connected on some deeper level beyond their control, and it is this connection that impels Mothra to find them no matter where they are." (source: Wikipedia) I've been humming this song all day long! I can't stop!!!!
Wow another interesting post. I didn't realise how fast butterflies could fly.
ReplyDeleteSome of them are turly amazing!
DeleteButterflies are such delicate creatures (well, they appear to be so...), yet they fly pretty fast...
ReplyDeleteI would have just lumped moths & butterflies together, as one and the same... they are cousins though, aren't they? So it's all in the family...
Really interesting stuff... thanks for sharing!
Butterflies and moths are delicate and fairly similar. We lump them together in the same order, but things separate out at the family, genus and species level. I'm so out of practice identifying that I can't id most things past order anymore. ):
DeleteSince you're talking about butterflies, I have to tell you I helped my son with his habitat project for school and he picked Monarch Caterpillars. I'm happy to report that as of this am, his caterpillar started the chrysalis process. It was amazing. In a span of maybe an hour, that cocoon was built. Cool, huh? I thought I'd share. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Awesome! Just think about all the changes that are going on inside that chrysalis... makes me wish I could build myself one. (:
DeleteThat picture of the scales on wings is amazing. I wonder if they see objects this close up. I guess nobody would be able to tell how a lep ...ia sees. Blog on!
ReplyDeletehttp://francene-blogstitcher.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by Francene. Research has give us a pretty good idea how insects see. Most see through the facets of a compound eye that gives a pixellated image of the world around them. Very different than the way we perceive the world. Happy blogging!
DeleteYour wonderful pictures reminded me that our local center's butterfly garden will be opening soon (when it is warm enough).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend Elise.
You are so lucky! I went to a beautiful butterfly garden in Atlanta Georgia years ago, it was amazing. You'll have a wonderful time, the kids too. Hope you have a good weekend as well!
DeleteAnother word to add to my dictionary: Lepidoptera! Thanks for this, Elise! :)
ReplyDeleteI love butterflies! I found a cocoon once and got to watch one come out. It was so cool! I cannot guess what you'll post next...M is for Monarch Butterfly? lol. nah...
ReplyDeleteInteresting fact to differentiate between moths and butterflies. I never knew that. Moths are super gross. Have you ever caught one and then you have dust on your hand or a tissue. Ick!
ReplyDeleteJack: Not sure that will be much use for ya, but glad you stopped by. (:
ReplyDeleteAshley: How cool to watch it emerge! Not something we get to see everyday. Tomorrow I'll be posting about,
Julia: I've had dust covered hands several times when I was collecting specimens in college...good times, (;
I love to look at butterflies... but oh dear god don't let them touch me :) eeeck!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThere is a museum in Brighton with a massive collection of butterflies and moths all pinned up. Most collected by the guy who opened the museum at least 100 years ago but have kept their colours really well. Some of the butterflies are huge! It's amazing but just a little bit eerie.
ReplyDeleteBrighton! I love Brighton! I bought the most amazing pair of black pleather high heel boots years ago while visiting a friend. But, I didn't know they had an insect collection. Guess I'll just have to go back! (;
DeleteI love butterflies. Finally, one I like. Oh wait, I liked the fireflies too. At the zoo here they have a butterfly exhibit where they have a ton of butterflies flying around and they land on you. It's really neat.
ReplyDeleteI love butterfly houses too. Wish there was one near by.
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