Astral Butterflies Rotating Header Image

Monarch butterfly

Harmless or Poisonous? Butterfly Mimicry and Survival

Aug 24th, 2011
by .
No comments yet

If you were a harmless butterfly what would you do to protect yourself?  Nature has created many ways for animals to protect themselves.  One common way is called mimicry.  What is mimicry?  It is when a harmless creature (the mimic) comes to look like a harmful creature (the model).
One butterfly, which is not so well known, is the Viceroy Butterfly.  These butterflies are harmless and defenseless.  They have no means of protecting themselves.  However, they have protected themselves by looking  very much like the popular Monarch butterfly.  To the untrained eye, the Viceroy Butterfly and the Monarch Butterfly look almost exactly alike.   They have the same orange coloring and black markings, except for one small detail.  If you look carefully at the Viceroy Butterfly, it has one barely detectable black horizontal vein going across its bottom wings.  To the untrained eye, they look identical.

Why does the Viceroy Butterfly mimic the Monarch Butterfly? To understand this, we have to look at the Monarch Butterfly.  What many people don’t know is that the Monarch Butterfly is poisonous to its predators due to its steady diet of the poisonous milkweed.  Birds have over time “learned” the pattern of the Monarch and have come to avoid the Monarch.
The Viceroys inadvertently have come to look more and more like the Monarch over time. The ones that don’t look like the Monarch have been picked off over time.  The remaining ones were those that looked like Monarch Butterflies.  The Viceroy Butterfly, by looking like the Monarch, has benefitted by looking like the Monarch as the birds avoid the Viceroy, thinking it is a Monarch.  This mechanism of survival is mimicry.

Mimicry is a common phenomenon that can be found animals and plants and is a way that harmless living things with no defenses can survive.

Teacher and owner of The Butterfly Grove butterfly decor to inspire. Nylon butterflies, dragonflies, flowers, bees, ladybugs and more!
Article Source

Tags: viceroy butterfly, Monarch butterfly, animals and plants, orange coloring, Monarch butterflies

Let Your Kids Fly – On The Wings Of A Butterfly

Mar 18th, 2011
by .
No comments yet

Butterflies are a special category of the insect family because of their charming hues and good looks. Though one of the smallest they are also one of the most awe inspiring creatures of this world. They mostly feed on flowers and flower bearing weeds and thus mostly found prancing in and around flower gardens. Kids and butterflies share a very special relation. Because of their merry colorful looks and spirit full flight butterflies are an easy favorite with kids of all ages. Even popular cartoons like ‘The Venture Bros’ have characters dressed as monarch butterfly. This interest can be put to use by making children learn more about butterflies, different types of their species and their feeding habits, the pattern of their migration and more. You can encourage them by gathering butterfly information for kids.

You probably don’t even know how many questions their little minds nurture regarding butterflies. What do they eat? Do they have brain? Does their heart beat like ours?  For starters they would gain by knowing that there are more than 15000 species of butterflies scattered all over the world. They are often perplexed why their winged friends go missing during the chilly months. Information about butterflies will make them understand that a warm weather suits them the most. Most of them can be fatally injured by being held and handled improperly. Small butterflies that have just emerged from their pupa should not be touched at all. If the vein on the front wing gets broken due to rude handling the butterfly will remain flightless forever. These little facts will make your child more responsible and careful when they venture out to see butterflies.

Kids are often said be like a mould of clay that comes out as well you cast them. Gathering and recording information, keeping them in an organized manner is a very healthy habit that you can inculcate in them by guiding them. Firstly check out if your child likes butterflies. Most likely, most of them would. Next make them search about different types of butterflies, where they are found, what they eat, where they migrate, etc.Make them keep a small notebook where they jot down their findings and sketches if they like to draw. It would be an asset they will love to flaunt in front of friends and classmates. Praise their efforts and give little rewards to heighten their interest and happiness.

What can heighten their interest further is keeping their own live butterfly kit. They can see the caterpillar grow and evolve into a mature butterfly. The different stages of metamorphosis will become crystal clear and you will soon be delighted to find a young Darwin in your little one. Not only will this sort of activity keep him active and informed but also grow a sense of responsibility in them. It is a very nice way of keeping your child busy during those long holidays. http://www.thebutterflysite.com” Butterfly information for kids is a good option as winter project too. Get more by logging on to.


Article Source

Tags: flower gardens, winged friends, Monarch butterfly, species of butterflies, insect family

The Amazing Life of the Monarch Butterfly

Mar 4th, 2011
by .
No comments yet

Monarch butterflies are easily natures most beautiful creatures. Read on to learn about the amazing behaviors of Monarch butterflies.

An Impressive Migration

The most common variety, and well known type of butterfly in North America is the Monarch butterfly. Monarch’s are fairly large for a butterfly, with a wingspan of about 4 inches, with beautiful orange, black, and white coloring on their wings – Monarchs are often highly sought after by butterfly enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Scientists believe that Monarch butterflies are the only family of insects that actually migrate. As winter approaches in colder climates, the Monarch starts to slow down and reproduction stops. Over the summer, they store fat reserves in their stomach in preparation for the winter.

As temperatures drop, Monarchs begin to journey south for the winter. In the west they tend to travel south of the Rocky Mountains. Throughout the U.S., they travel to Florida, Texas and Mexico. Canadian and Northwest American Monarch butterflies travel south to the coast of California and down to Southern California. The migration distance is truly amazing considering these are such small insects. Unbelievably, once the weather warms up again, the Monarch will return north to the exact same locations where they originally migrated from. While migrating, Monarchs are known to travel as fast as 30 miles per hour. Somehow, those little wings work miracles.

A Journey of Life

The migration of the Monarch is not just a way to escape from the cold of winter. These butterflies have actually incorporated the migration into the course of their life cycle. As these butterflies travel south, they also stop to mate and lay eggs on milkweed plants along the way. In the course of traveling, the older butterflies end up dying during the trip. Eventually, after only a few days, young butterflies are born and join with the existing population of butterflies. This means that the migration patterns of the monarch are also part of their reproduction cycle, and add to their population.

The Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly

The Monarch is from the species Lepidoptera, with a very unique life cycle. Monarches start their lives as tiny eggs, which eventually hatch into butterfly larvae. The first stage of the butterfly’s life is a birth as a caterpillar. The caterpillar eats a tremendous amount of food relative to its body size, and eventually finds a tree where it attaches and forms a pupa. Within this pupa, the caterpillar transforms itself into the stunningly beautiful Monarch butterfly. It is easy to understand why so many traditions and cultures across the world embrace the Monarch butterfly as a symbol of extreme transformation and change from something earthly and material into something spiritual and free. It is no surprise that Greek culture has embraced the butterfly as a symbol of the soul.

The Monarch butterfly has captured the imagination and love of butterfly enthusiasts around the world.

Learn everything you could possibly want to know about butterflies at TypesOfButterflies.net.

Ryan Dube has been freelance writing for over 10 years for publishers both online and offline and has covered topics including the paranormal, finance, relationships, and more. Learn more at Invisible Inc.
Article Source

Tags: winter in the west, milkweed plants, butterfly enthusiasts, Monarch butterfly, Monarch butterflies

Learn About the Monarch Butterfly

Feb 16th, 2011
by ButterflyLover.
No comments yet

Monarch butterflies mating

Image via Wikipedia

The most familiar form, and well known form of butterfly in North America is the Monarch butterfly. Monarchs are somewhat large for a butterfly, with a wingspan of about 4 inches, with charming ginger, black, and colorless coloring on their wings – Monarchs are regularly highly required after by butterfly enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Scientists deem the Monarch butterflies are the only family of insects that actually migrate. As chill approaches in colder climates, the Monarch starts to dense down and reproduction stops. Over the summer, they amass fat coffers in their stomach in preparation for the chill.

As temperatures drop, Monarchs originate to journey south for the chill. In the west they lean to trek south of the Rocky Mountains. Throughout the U.S., they move to Florida, Texas and Mexico. Canadian and Northwest American Monarch butterflies voyage south to the coast of California and down to Southern California. (more…)

Tags: butterfly enthusiasts, adult butterflies, Monarch butterfly, milkweed plants, Monarch 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: favorite butterflies, national insect, Alabama, West Virginia, Monarch butterfly, Texas, milkweed, migration

Switch to our mobile site