The Butterfly life cycle is one of nature's most interesting processes. The birth of these insects requires several stages, during which they undergo incredible transformations. Do you want to know how butterflies are born, as well as find out where they live and what they eat? Discover these and other curiosities in the following article on our site. Keep reading!
What do butterflies eat?
During the adult stage, butterflies feed mainly on flower nectar How do they do it? Their mouth apparatus has a spiral tube that is capable of stretching, thus reaching the nectar of any type of flower. This kind of mouth is called proboscis
Thanks to this feeding system, butterflies help spread the pollen that sticks to their legs, making them pollinating insects. Now, what do butterflies eat before they become adults? When they hatch, they get their first nutrients from the egg that contained them. Later, during their larva or caterpillar stage, they consume large amounts of leaves, fruits, branches and flowers
Some species feed on smaller insects, and less than 1% eat other butterflies.
Where do butterflies live?
The distribution range of butterflies is very wide. There are hundreds of species and subspecies, so they can be found worldwide, including some varieties that can withstand freezing polar temperatures.
Most, however, prefer to live in warm ecosystems with spring temperatures. As for habitats, they are found in those with abundant vegetation, where they have easy access to food, can protect themselves from predators and have places to lay their eggs after mating.
How do butterflies reproduce?
Butterfly reproduction has two stages: courtship and mating. For courtship, males perform pirouettes in the air or remain stationary on branches. In both cases, they emit pheromones to attract females. They, for their part, also release pheromones so that the male finds them, even when they are miles away.
When the male finds the female, he flaps her wings over her antennae to impregnate her with tiny pheromone-filled scales. This done, her courtship is complete and mating follows.
The reproductive organs of butterflies are located in the abdomen, so they join the ends, facing each one in different directions. The male introduces his reproductive organ and releases the sperm sac, with which he fertilizes the eggs inside his partner.
Once mating is complete, the female lays between 25 and 10,000 eggs in different parts of the plants: branches, flowers, fruits and stems become the shelter for the eggs.
Now then, How long does a butterfly live? Life expectancy varies according to species, access to food, and weather conditions. Some live between 5 and 7 days, while others have a life cycle of 9 to 12 months. After the reproduction phase, you should know how butterflies are born.
How are butterflies born?
The birth of a butterfly goes through several stages from the moment the female lays her eggs on the plants. These are the stages of metamorphosis of a butterfly:
1. Egg
The eggs measure between 0.5 and 3 millimeters Depending on the species, they can be oval, long or spherical. The color is white, grayish and almost black in some species. The maturation period of the eggs varies in each one, but many are eaten by other animals during this stage.
two. Caterpillar or larva
Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillar begins to feed on the proteins found inside the egg. Afterwards, it begins to feed on the plant it is on. During this period, the caterpillar sheds its exoskeleton in order to grow and doubles in size in a short time.
3. Pupa
Once the necessary size is reached, the period of the larva ends. The caterpillar's body increases its hormone levels and produces behavioral changes. Because of this, he begins to make a chrysalis, either with leaves, branches or his own silk.
Once the butterfly chrysalis is built, the caterpillar enters it to start the last phase of metamorphosis. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar's nerves, muscles, and exoskeleton dissolve to give rise to new tissue.
4. Adult Butterfly
Depending on the species and weather conditions, the butterfly will spend more or less time in the chrysalis. On brighter days, the butterfly will begin to break the chrysalis with its head until it emerges. Once outside, it will take 2-4 hours to fly During this period, you will need to pump fluids to all parts of your body, still compressed by the position of the pupa.
When pumping fluids, the ribs of the wings tighten and unfold, while the rest of the cuticle of the exoskeleton hardens. Once this process is complete, takes flight in search of a mate to mate.