Stuff You Should Know Butterflies: Caterpillars with Wings!
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Jun 29, 2023 Discover the enchanting life of butterflies, transforming from caterpillars into dazzling winged beauties! Dive into the delightful differences between moths and butterflies, and how these creatures navigate the world. Learn about the critical roles butterflies play in ecosystems as pollinators, and the pressing need for conservation efforts. Explore the whimsical connections between butterfly wings and pump-up basketball shoes, and uncover the impacts of non-native plants and pesticides on their populations. Join the engaging discussions filled with humor and fascinating facts!
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Butterfly Ancestry
- Butterflies descended from diurnal moths.
- This explains why butterflies are active during the day and have colorful camouflage to blend in with flowers.
Butterfly Senses
- Butterflies have compound eyes that can detect color and movement, unlike nearly blind caterpillars.
- Their antennae are crucial for navigation, sensing odors, pheromones, and even wingbeats of other butterflies.
Butterfly Feeding
- Butterflies use labial palps to sense food and possibly detect CO2.
- Their proboscis, a tongue-like appendage, uncoils involuntarily to sip nectar when they step in dissolving sugars.