A Butterfly's appearance varies from breed to breed, with each type
having its own distinctive wing markings and size. There are, however,
many defining features common to all butterflies. Butterflies
are insects, so by definition have a three sectioned body, a head, an
thorax and an abdomen. They all have six legs and four wings, a fore
wing and a hind wing on each side of its body. They have a long tongue
that circles in spirals when not in use. They have eyes to see and a
mouth to eat with. The butterfly's food of choice is nectar and is
therefore vital to the deco system as a pollinator. All
butterfly start life as a lava called a caterpillar, enter a pupal stage
and form a chrysalis, and transform into a butterfly. A
butterfly has two antennae, sometimes called feelers, which protrude
from its head. These tend to be slender, with a clubbed end. Although every species has different markings on the wings, most tend to
be bright in color, although there are a few plain breeds, such as the
White Cabbage Butterfly. Butterfly's have a slender body with a
relatively smooth abdomen. Butterflies have fine scales all
over their wings. This is so they can absorb the solar radiation and
warm their whole body. For this reason most butterflies come out in the
day time, although there are a few nocturnal breeds. Most
butterflies rest with their wings folded above their backs, although
they can often be found basking in the sun with their wings open.
having its own distinctive wing markings and size. There are, however,
many defining features common to all butterflies. Butterflies
are insects, so by definition have a three sectioned body, a head, an
thorax and an abdomen. They all have six legs and four wings, a fore
wing and a hind wing on each side of its body. They have a long tongue
that circles in spirals when not in use. They have eyes to see and a
mouth to eat with. The butterfly's food of choice is nectar and is
therefore vital to the deco system as a pollinator. All
butterfly start life as a lava called a caterpillar, enter a pupal stage
and form a chrysalis, and transform into a butterfly. A
butterfly has two antennae, sometimes called feelers, which protrude
from its head. These tend to be slender, with a clubbed end. Although every species has different markings on the wings, most tend to
be bright in color, although there are a few plain breeds, such as the
White Cabbage Butterfly. Butterfly's have a slender body with a
relatively smooth abdomen. Butterflies have fine scales all
over their wings. This is so they can absorb the solar radiation and
warm their whole body. For this reason most butterflies come out in the
day time, although there are a few nocturnal breeds. Most
butterflies rest with their wings folded above their backs, although
they can often be found basking in the sun with their wings open.
