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October, 2009:

Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies

Oct 27th, 2009
by Kathleen.
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Western Tiger Swallowtail

Image via Wikipedia

Tiger Butterfly
The tiger butterfly, named for its yellow color with black stripes, is mainly found in the forests of Central America. Other locations for the tiger butterfly include the Eastern United States and Canada. This particular species of butterfly loves the warm, moist air as well as plenty of food. They need to bask in the sun in order to be able to fly as their wings will only work if their body temperature is above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. They are among the fastest species of butterflies, with a speed of up to 30 miles per hour.
Their favorite food is the nectar from the abelia shrub. It is also a very strong butterfly with wings that flutter almost effortlessly through the air. They are commonly referred to as swallow tails because they feature long, pointed tails on their hind wings.
The Tiger butterfly has very bright colors, but it doesnít have to worry too much about predators. This is because eating this particular butterfly will leave them very ill. While it wonít kill them, they definitely remember the affects and avoid eating it again. Their main threat is actually humans because the Tiger butterfly is often sought by collectors.
The Tiger butterfly is very popular throughout the United States. In fact, it is the state insect of Oregon, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Delaware. The wings of a Tiger butterfly are much stronger than many other species. Some scientists believe this is because of the fennel that they eat. It also helps them to survive in harsh winds and even through difficult winter months.
At one time the Tiger butterfly was dwindling in numbers. This is because in the caterpillar stage it was not able to blend well, resulting in being eaten by predators. To protect its existence, they were populated in butterfly gardens in various locations. The best protection was offered to help them thrive.
Today there number of Tiger butterflies is back on a good note, but they continue to be a favorite in butterfly gardens because of their unique yellow and black stripes. You can tell the age of a tiger butterfly by their coloring. Older ones feature faded colors instead of a bright, vivid yellow. They also have wings that appear to be ragged.

The tiger butterfly, named for its yellow color with black stripes, is mainly found in the forests of Central America. Other locations for the tiger butterfly include the Eastern United States and Canada. This particular species of butterfly loves the warm, moist air as well as plenty of food.

Tiger butterflies need to bask in the sun in order to be able to fly as their wings will only work if their body temperature is above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. They are among the fastest species of butterflies, with a speed of up to 30 miles per hour.

Their favorite food is the nectar from the abelia shrub. Tigers are also a very strong butterfly with wings that flutter almost effortlessly through the air. They are commonly referred to as swallow tails because they feature long, pointed tails on their hind wings.

The Tiger butterfly has very bright colors, but it does not have to worry too much about predators. This is because eating this particular butterfly will leave them very ill. (more…)


Tags: abelia shrub, tiger butterfly, warm moist air, caterpillar stage, tiger butterflies

Monarch Butterflies

Oct 22nd, 2009
by Kathleen.
No comments yet

Monarch Butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is the best known and most popular butterfly. This is because it is the most commonly found and it also offers the most gorgeous colors you will ever find on a species of butterfly. This particular butterfly is commonly called the milkweed butterfly because they are commonly found eating this variety of plant. This is also the location where most Monarch butterfly eggs are laid. In fact, many people choose to plant them in their garden just to attract beautiful Monarch butterflies. The majority of Monarch butterflies are found in North America.
Many people do not realize that Monarch butterflies migrate, following the same pattern year after year. They move to warm climates including Florida, Texas, and Mexico during the winter months. You will see them doing so in very large groups. You will have to look close though as you can easily mistake them for a bunch of autumn leaves! This is because the Monarch butterfly adapts to the environment and blends in for protection.
Generally the Monarch butterfly doesnít have to worry too much about predators because they are known for being a very toxic meal. This has to do with the milkweed they so frequently eat. This food may also be the reason why so many Monarch butterflies develop parasites that cause them to lose weight, have weak wings, and die sooner than the average life span. Their numbers have drastically dropped in recent years due to deforestation in many regions.
Monarch butterflies are known for their bright colors and are the most popular species of butterfly. You will commonly find them in warmer climates and it areas where there is plenty of milkweed. If you enjoy these beautiful creatures, then you can create a butterfly garden very easily. This is because they will return to the same location year after year. Since they commonly eat and lay their eggs on the milkweed plant, this is the most successful way of attracting them.
This particular butterfly is the state symbol for Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, and West Virginia. Since 1989 it has been the National insect of the United States. It also holds that title in Canada.

The Monarch butterfly is the best known and most popular butterfly in the United States. That is because it is the most commonly found. It also offers the most gorgeous colors you will ever find on a species of butterfly.

monarch_butterfly_blueflowerThe Monarch is commonly called the milkweed butterfly, because they are commonly found eating this variety of plant. This is also the location where most Monarch butterfly eggs are laid.

Some people choose to plant milkweed in their garden to attract beautiful Monarch butterflies. The majority of Monarch butterflies are found in North America.

Many people do not realize that Monarch butterflies migrate, following the same pattern year after year. They move to warm climates including Florida, Texas, and Mexico during the winter months.

Monarch butterflies migrate in very large groups. You will have to look close, though, as you can easily mistake them for a bunch of autumn leaves! This is because the Monarch butterfly adapts to the environment and blends in for protection. (more…)


Tags: West Virginia, milkweed, Canada, Alabama, Florida, Minnesota, favorite butterflies, Idaho, United States, national insect

Butterfly Wings and Things

Oct 9th, 2009
by Kathleen.
2 comments

Butterfly Wings
Most of us has watched in wonder as beautiful butterflies flutter their wings to move about. Have you ever wondered how those wings work? If you look very closely at butterfly wings, you would soon realize that they are very different from each other.
The wings of butterflies are covered with a mosaic of various color patterns
While there are many different varieties of butterflies, each with unique wing designs, they all have similarities. Each butterfly has four wings ñ two forewings and two hind wings. A butterfly has very strong muscles in the thorax that allow the wings to move up and down. This is also the power source for a butterfly to fly in a figure eight style.
The wings of a butterfly develop while it is in transition from the pupa stage. The butterfly is not immediately able to fly away. This is because the wings are wet and wrinkled. Before it can fly, the butterfly has to hang upside down so that blood will pump into the wings. They also have to dry before they can be used for flight. Each wing is very delicate and the butterfly has to use them with care as any damage that takes place to them canít be repaired.
These wings are actually membranes that get their nourishment from tubular veins that also provide them with oxygen. You will have to look very closely to see that each wing has thousands of colorful scales with tiny hairs on them. The amazing colors that we see on a variety of butterfly wings is the result of ultraviolet patterns that we canít see. This helps the butterfly to blend into to various surroundings for protection. These colors also help attract other butterflies for mating.
The wings on a butterfly are their life force. Without them, they are unable to move and unable to survive. While the wings are very small and very thin, donít let this fool you into thinking they are weak. Butterfly wings are very beautiful but they are also very powerful. They protect the butterfly as well as give it the attractive feature that draws so many of us to their beauty as they flutter freely around the area.

Most of us have watched in wonder as beautiful butterflies flutter their wings to move about. The wings of butterflies are covered with a mosaic of various color patterns, gleaming like jewels and velvet in the sunlight.

colorful-butterflyHave you ever wondered how those wings work? If you look very closely at butterfly wings, you soon realize that they are very different from each other. Butterfly wings vary widely in size, shape, color and markings.

While there are many different varieties of butterflies, each with unique wing designs, they all have similarities. Each butterfly has four wings: two forewings and two hind wings.

A butterfly has very strong muscles in the thorax that allow the wings to move up and down. This is also the power source for a butterfly to fly in a figure eight style.

The wings of a butterfly develop while it is in transition from the pupa stage. When it emerges from its chrysalis, a butterfly is not immediately able to fly away. That is because the wings are wet and wrinkled.

Before it can fly, the new butterfly has to hang upside down so that blood will pump into the wings. The wings also have to dry before they can be used for flight.

Each wing is very delicate. The butterfly has to use them with care as any damage that takes place to them canít be repaired.

Butterfly wings are actually membranes that get their nourishment from tubular veins that also provide them with oxygen. You must look very closely to see that each wing has thousands of colorful scales with tiny hairs on them.

The amazing colors that we see on a variety of butterfly wings are the result of ultraviolet patterns that we cannot see. The patterns on their wings help the butterfly to blend into to various surroundings for protection. These colors also help attract other butterflies for mating.

The wings on a butterfly are their life force. Without wings, butterflies are unable to move and unable to survive. While the wings appear very small and very thin, do not let that fool you into thinking they are weak.

Butterfly wings are very beautiful but they are also very powerful. They protect the butterfly as well as give it the attractive feature that draws so many of us to their beauty as they flutter freely around the area.


Tags: butterfly wing shapes, ultraviolet patterns, butterfly wings

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