Butterflies

The large order Lepidoptera, literally “scale-wing” is composed of 125,000 known species of butterflies and moths and there are 12,000 species in North America. Butterflies are recognized by many as symbol of beauty because of they’re magnificently colored wings. They’re also well known for they’re spectacular transformation from worm-like caterpillar to a flying beauty. It’s a remarkable transformation, one of which, for the monarch butterfly, we were able to capture.

On our Mexico trip, one thing that amazed us was the diversity of caterpillars. We found caterpillars that had brilliant colors, telling predators, “Hey, I’ve been eating toxic plants. Thus, I’m poisonous, so watch out!” Others we found were covered in long poisonous hairs that if touched, would cause severe pain. Others were so well camouflaged that they looked like drops of bird poop, and thus, easily missed by a potential predator.

The adult butterflies showed the same amazing variation in survival tactics. We found some that were brilliantly colored and toxic like the monarch. Some, like the owl-wing butterfly, were trying to imitate the eyes of a predator, to keep other birds away. And many, when they closed their brightly colored wings, were mottled brown, blending in extremely well with the background.

Monarch Butterfly

Owl-wing Butterfly

Red Admiral