Bright fluttering butterflies can leave few people indifferent. Smoothly circling over the flower meadow, they fascinate with their beauty and deeply touch the strings of the human soul. In addition to beauty, these unusual insects are interesting for their behavior and life features. In the article we will share with readers unusual stories from the life of butterflies. In our material, we have collected a variety of interesting facts about butterflies. Such information will be especially informative for younger students and toddlers of preschool age. The information can be used in a lesson or simply told to children in order to expand knowledge about the world around little explorers.
Who are butterflies?
Butterflies are Lepidoptera insects. This means that on their wings there are many small scales, which, by refracting sunlight at different angles, form a characteristic pattern.
Children often confuse scales with pollen. They try to shake off, clean the wings of an insect. In fact, this is by no means the case. Butterfly wings will wrinkle, she will not be able to fly and will die.
But in nature there areand butterflies without wings. These are species such as the steppe and common volyanka. They live in a cocoon and feed on what they have managed to stock up with more caterpillars.
There are also butterflies that can dive. These are insects such as underwater moths. Interesting facts about butterflies for children in grade 2 can be used in nature studies lessons. It will still be difficult for preschoolers to understand the physiology of insects. But it is possible and necessary to teach kids to take care of nature at any age.
Butterflies have three pairs of legs and a long proboscis, which, if necessary, turns into a complete food organ. These Lepidoptera are plant pollinators, just like bees. Also, they never sleep. Some attract attention with their unusual bright color, while others, on the contrary, are masked. So, for example, the lemongrass butterfly looks like a leaf. Interesting facts about this beauty can be found below.
Butterflies live all over the world except Antarctica. But the lifespan of these insects is short: from a few days to six months, depending on the species.
The science that studies butterflies is called lepidopterology.
What do butterflies eat?
Depending on the species, insects can feed on flower nectar, tree sap, and rotten fruit. Some prefer tears and animal droppings. In a certain period, do not mind eating mud, thanks to which you can stock up on minerals. A butterfly of the Calyptra species feeds on the blood of cattle. In addition, some subspecies can suck and drink blood from an open wound, while others can evenable to independently pierce the skin with a sharp proboscis.
These interesting facts about butterflies can be presented in a playful way to even the youngest children.
The Magic of Birth
Until now, not a single scientist has been able to explain all the metamorphoses that occur in the process of insect development. Interesting facts about butterflies can be told by telling about the stages of the appearance of such an unusual insect. So, a butterfly goes through several stages of formation: egg - caterpillar (larva) - pupa - adult.
A sexually mature female lays eggs most often on the leaves of trees. Some species protect their offspring by burying their eggs in the ground, others cover them with their own scales, and others have the ability to produce special mucus.
Depending on the type of insect and external factors, caterpillar eggs may hatch within a few days or months. This period is characterized by the fact that the insect actively feeds, stocking up on the necessary substances.
In the process of molting, morphological changes occur - the insect turns into a chrysalis. Butterflies protect their peace in different ways: some weave cocoons from a silk thread that they themselves produce, others build a “house” from grains of sand and earth, and still others from their own cuticles.
Fluttering beauties are born with unspread wet wings. Therefore, at the time of hatching from the chrysalis, it is extremely important for butterflies to have a support in the form of a twig - wrapping their paws around it, insects dry and spread their wings. Afterthat they can safely make their first flight.
We recommend bringing such interesting facts about butterflies for children of primary school age when walking in the spring in the park or in the summer cottage. And you can consolidate theoretical knowledge by observing the development of an insect from a larva to an adult butterfly on walks.
Butterflies in mythology
Interesting facts about butterflies, their origin and people's attitude to these insects can be found by getting acquainted with archaeological artifacts. Butterflies are the most ancient insects. Excavations have unearthed remains that are 150 million years old. There are about 160,000 species of these unusual representatives of the fauna.
In ancient times, butterflies, like everything mysterious and unsolved, were simultaneously admired and feared. The unusual life cycle of the insect provoked mystification and deification of such a creature.
During excavations found frescoes of ancient Egyptians, which depict butterflies. In those days, people identified human life with this insect.
In some nations, a butterfly is a harbinger of happiness, joy, love. Others believe that the fluttering insect is the souls of dead people, the embodiment of demons and witches.
In ancient Greek myths, there are butterflies in the role of Psyche - a girl who personifies the human soul, and the Scandinavian peoples invented elves - kind little men with butterfly wings. In India, the butterfly was considered the progenitor of the whole world. And the Buddha devoted a whole sermon to this insect. In many beliefs, the butterfly representsrebirth and immortality.
Such interesting facts from the life of butterflies will interest not only children, but also adults.
Folk omens
People predict the weather by the behavior of butterflies. So, if the hives hid, it will soon rain. In rainy weather, a moth flies - be warm.
If butterflies flutter over a person - good news, happiness.
A butterfly flew into the window - not good, you definitely need to release the insect into the wild.
Traditions
Today you will not surprise guests with a salute of butterflies at a wedding or anniversary. It turns out that this tradition is not one hundred years old! She originated in Japan. The lightness and charm of insects were compared with the art of a geisha. Therefore, butterflies at the wedding were considered a wish for the bride to comprehend female wisdom. And a pair of butterflies symbolized a strong marriage. These interesting facts about butterflies have long been noted by modern wedding organizers, offering young people to decorate the holiday with live and artificial butterflies.
Modern Chinese weddings are not complete without the butterfly symbol: before the wedding, the groom gives the bride an ornament in the form of this insect as a symbol of love and care.
Special breeding of butterflies began at the court of Louis XIV. In the winter garden of the king one could meet insects of various colors and types.
Record breakers
The most interesting facts about record-breaking butterflies:
- The largest representative of the species - Tisaniaagrippina. Its wingspan is almost 31 cm. A little less than the Birdwing. Its dimensions reach 28 cm.
- The smallest moth is Baby. Her open wings are 2 mm long.
- The longest proboscis is in Moths. In a species that lives in Madagascar, the length of this organ is 28 cm.
- The most common butterfly in the world is the Vanessa Cardi butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.
- The loudest squeak is the disturbed Dead Head of the Moth family.
- The sense of smell in Peacock-Eyes is sharply developed. They pick up the smell at a distance of 10 km.
- Moth Moths fly faster than all.
- The heaviest representative of butterflies is Boisduval.
Lemon Butterfly: Interesting Facts
In our latitudes you can find Lemongrass, belonging to the White family. It is very difficult to notice in the foliage, as the color resembles a tree leaf. You can often see how children are surprised at the unusual flight of the "leaf". This color is a protective disguise.
Another interesting feature of Lemongrass is the fact that it never lands with its wings open. If you disturb the butterfly, it will fold its wings and legs, and then fall down, thus disguising itself as a twig or fallen leaf. She is a long-liver as she can live for more than a year.
We told you just some interesting facts about butterflies. It is important for children to learn that butterflies areextraordinary creatures. Each species has its own characteristics and inexplicable abilities. They captivate and inspire. It should be emphasized that it is impossible to destroy such beautiful creatures for fun or a fleeting hobby. From a very early age, adults should explain to kids the importance of such a small creature as a butterfly in the world around them.
