CONTEST! CHOICES! WHAT WILL IT BE?

image source

BIOLOGY OF BUTTERFLY

Butterflies are fluttering, noticeable insects with big, frequently brilliantly coloured wings. The superfamilies Papilionoidea and Hedyloidea (moth-butterflies in the Americas) make up this category.

In the world of insects, butterflies are among the most distinctive and varied species. Their symmetrical wings, which frequently exhibit astonishing colours and patterns, have earned them fame.

The head, thorax, and abdomen make up the three parts of a butterfly's body. Three parts make up the thorax, and each segment has two legs. In contrast to moths, which may have threadlike or feathery antennae, most butterfly families have clubbed antennae. When not in use for slurping nectar from flowers, the long proboscis can be curled.

Butterflies are nocturnal creatures that rest with their wings held vertically above their bodies and with reasonably brilliant hues.

Every species of butterfly has unique environment needs. The caterpillar's foodplant, the adult butterfly's nectar source, and the conditions necessary for the caterpillar to live and pupate successfully all play a role in this. Some butterflies may breed in a range of locations, including gardens and parks, and are content to live and eat on various plants. Some people are more picky and have more stringent standards.

LIFECYCLE OF BUTTERFLY

image source

The entire metamorphosis of a butterfly is divided into four stages, which are called as : egg, larva, pupa, and adult

EGG

The adult female butterfly lays her eggs on plants. After that, the emerging caterpillars will eat these plants.

image source

In the spring, summer, or autumn, eggs can be laid. The type of butterfly will determine this. In order for at least some of the eggs to survive, females lay a lot of them all at once.
Butterfly eggs can be quite tiny.

LARVA

It is also known as the caterpillar stage or the feeding stage.

The caterpillar's only responsibility is to continuously eat. The caterpillar splits its skin and sheds it around four or five times as it grows. Food consumed during this stage is stored and utilised later in adulthood.

image source

During this stage, caterpillars can grow 100 times larger. For instance, the caterpillar that emerges from a monarch butterfly egg, which is the size of a pinhead, isn't much larger. But in a few weeks, it will lengthen to 2 inches.

PUPA

This phase is also referred to as the transition phase.
The caterpillar turns into a pupa when it has fully grown and stops eating. A chrysalis is another name for a butterfly pupa.

image source

Depending on the species, the pupa may be buried underground, suspended beneath a branch, or concealed by leaves. A silk coccoon protects the pupa of several moths.

A few weeks, a month, or even longer are possible for this stage to last. For two years, the pupal stage lasts for certain species.

Despite the fact that nothing appears to be happening, internal adjustments are taking place. In the adult, special cells that were present in the larva are expanding quickly. They will eventually develop into the butterfly's adult legs, wings, eyes, and other features. These developing adult cells will receive energy from many of the original larval cells.

ADULT

In other words, this is the reproductive stage.
Most people imagine butterflies in their adult form when they think about butterflies. From the larva, they seem significantly different. The caterpillar has very short antennae, a few tiny eyes, and stubby legs. lengthy legs, lengthy antennae, and compound eyes are features of the adults. They can fly by using their broad, vibrant wings. Growing is the only thing they are unable to accomplish.

image source

Eat was what the caterpillar's task was. Mating and egg-laying are the adult's jobs. Adult butterflies of some species eat on the nectar of flowers to replenish their energy, but many species do not.

Flying is practical. To locate the best plant for her eggs, the adult female can effortlessly fly from one location to another. Caterpillars are unable to go very far, thus this is significant.

The majority of mature butterflies only have a short lifespan of one to two weeks, although certain species hibernate through the winter and can survive for several months.

SYMBOLIC MEANING OF THE WORD BUTTERFLY

Since ancient times, the butterfly has represented change, hope, and faith. Due of its extensive life cycle, which includes stages as a larva, caterpillar, chrysalis, and ultimately a stunning, flying butterfly, the butterfly is also a symbol of rebirth.

CONCLUSION

One of the most stunning insects in the world is the butterfly. Their big, exquisitely coloured wings are what are most famous about them. Their wings are covered with numerous colours in numerous designs.

They can effectively evade predators by using the brilliant colours as camouflage. Additionally essential to ecosystems are butterflies. In pollination, they support the plant.

cc;
@patjewell
@ruthjoe

I will like to invite @bela90 and @ngoenyi to participate in this contest.