What kinds of butterflies and moths live in my neighborhood?
FAQ - The Butterfly WebSite - butterfly questionsWe've put together a world atlas to help you find butterflies in any locality. In the USA, we have butterflies and moths listed by state. In the United Kingdom, by postal code. We also have lists sorted by continent, country, and some localities.
Related QuestionsHow many kinds of butterflies and moths exist?
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterflies and Moths: Gene...Butterflies and moths are found on all continents except Antarctica, and scientists estimate that there are approximately 12-15,000 species of butterflies and 150-250,000 species of moths. There are still thousands of moth and butterfly species that have not been found or described by scientists. In the United States and Canada, more than 750 species of butterflies and 11,000 species of moths have been recorded. Many species of moths and a few kinds of butterflies are still being discovered.
Related QuestionsHow long do butterflies or moths live?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyThis question often means "how long can an ADULT butterfly or moth live." The question of how long a butterfly or moth can live during its entire life cycle (from egg through to adult) has a different answer. Some of the longest living adult butterflies include the migrating fall generation of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus).
Related QuestionsWhat do butterflies and moths eat?
Frequently Asked Questions about Butterflies and Moths: Beha...With few exceptions, adult butterflies and moths eat only various liquids to maintain their water balance and energy stores. Most adults sip flower nectar, but other imbibe fluids from sap flowers on trees, rotting fruits, bird droppings, or animal dung. Many adult butterflies are found drinking fluids at wet sand or mud, especially along stream courses or the edges of dirt roads or trails.
Related QuestionsWhat are butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyButterflies and moths comprise the order Lepidoptera, one of the major groups of insects. As members of the animal phylum Arthropoda, all insects (the class Insecta) have jointed limbs (arthropoda means "jointed feet") and an exoskeleton. Lepidopterans are characterized by the presence of pigment-bearing scales on their wings, and it is these scales that produce their distinctive colors and patterns. The name Lepidoptera actually means "scaly-winged.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions About Butterflies and Moths: Gene...Butterflies and moths are a group of insects called Lepidoptera. Like all insects, butterflies and moths have a head, thorax, abdomen, two antennae, and six legs. Additionally, moths and butterflies have four wings that are almost always covered by colored scales, and a coiled proboscis for drinking liquids such as flower nectar. Lepidoptera is derived from the Latin "lepido"= scale + "ptera" = wing.Related Questions
How long do butterflies live?
Frequently asked questions about butterfliesA butterfly is a butterfly whether is is an egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, or adult. In the same way an 8 year old person is human, a caterpillar is a butterfly.An adult butterfly, if not killed by a windshield, predator, or disease, will live from a few weeks to about nine months, depending upon the species and time of year.Some butterflies overwinter as adults, such as Monarchs migrating to Mexico and California and Mouring Cloaks which overwinter as adults.
Related QuestionsHow many kinds of butterflies are there?
The Key West Butterfly & Nature ConservatoryThere are about 50 - 60 species of butterflies in the Conservatory. Some species are always present but others are only available seasonally, so you might see many different butterflies each time you visit. Over a year we have approximately 75 different species in the Conservatory.
Related QuestionsWhat's the relationship between butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyAthough butterflies and moths are often thought of as two distinct and equal groupings, the order Lepidoptera is divided by their evolutionary relationships into more than 20 superfamilies (second-level groupings). Just one of these superfamilies includes all true butterflies (Papilionoidea), while a second includes skippers (Hesperoidea), insects that resemble true butterflies. Usually, when people talk about "butterflies," they mean a combination of true butterflies and skippers.
Related QuestionsWhat are the differences among butterflies, skippers, and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietySometimes people think of butterflies as being brightly colored, delicate insects that fly during daylight hours and moths as being heavier-bodied, drab insects that fly at night. While these differences do apply generally, there are many exceptions. Some butterflies are brown with very little patterning, while some moths fly during the day and have bright and distinctive coloration.
Related QuestionsWhat are the biggest and smallest butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyThe biggest butterfly is the Queen Alexandra Birdwing (Troides alexandrae), found in New Guinea. Females are known up to 11 inches (280 mm) in wingspan, with a very large wing area, and 12 grams in weight. The African Giant Swallowtail, Papilio antimachus, with incredibly long wings, may exceed the Queen Alexandra Birdwing in wingspan, though not in wing area. The smallest butterflies are various members of the Blue and Hairstreak family (Lycaenidae).
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterflies and Moths: Gene...Butterflies are mostly brightly colored day-flying insects with long clubbed antennae and most moths fly at night and lack clubs at the end of their antennae. A group of tropical "moths" has been found that are closely related to butterflies but they lack clubs on their antennae; they are now considered to be butterflies. Perhaps the best answer that matches our current knowledge is just to say that butterflies are "fancy moths."
Related QuestionsAre there endangered butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterflies and Moths: Gene...There are more than 20 butterflies and moths listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Most of these species are found in the United States and may become extinct due to loss of their habitat. Some butterflies from other countries, such as some rare birdwing butterflies from New Guinea, are endangered by loss of habitat and by collection of specimens for international trade. Several individual states list and protect declining butterflies and moths in their state.
Related QuestionsHow do butterflies and moths eat, and can moths eat our clothes?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyMoths typically have tube-like mouthparts for sucking nectar or sap or some other liquid. So, no ADULT moth has any interest in eating any part of your clothes.Adult moths are incapable of chewing holes in clothes. It is the larvae (caterpillars) of certain species that eat holes in clothes. Of the thousands upon thousands of species of moths in the world, there are very few whose larvae will consume fibers in clothing.
Related QuestionsHow many butterflies and moths are there in the world? In specific parts of the world?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyWorldwide, around 150,000 species of Lepidoptera have been described, making this order the second richest group of insects (only beetles are more species-rich). Of this number, just under 20,000 are butterflies, which means the other 130,000+ are moths. The actual number of Lepidoptera in the world is considerably larger (estimates run anywhere from 250,000 to 400,000), as there are many species which have yet to be described, particularly in the tropical regions of the world.
Related QuestionsWhy are scientific names used for butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyOne might think that scientific names (such as Plodia interpunctella and Plutella xylostella) as seen in the answer to Question 13, above), are used just to confuse non-scientists or to appear more "important." Actually, they are used for the opposite purpose: to provide more clarity and information than common names can provide. At least two functions are performed by scientific naming. First, it provides clues about which species are closely related. Consider this, for instance.
Related QuestionsAre there other sources of information (FAQs) about butterflies and moths?
Frequently Asked Questions : The Lepidopterist SocietyIndeed, there are. To find some on the Web, do a search on FAQ and butterflies. And, of course, don't neglect to visit your local library.
Related QuestionsWhy are butterflies and moths such good insects? Why does everyone love them?
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterflies and Moths: Gene...I can only answer for myself, not everybody! But my guess is that butterflies are obvious bright-colored objects in our environment. They are believed to be free spirits in their flight and lack on constraints. They are also thought of as harmless, innocent creatures.
Related QuestionsWhere Will the Live Butterflies Come From?
Live Butterfly Release F.A.Q.If you are ordering live butterflies from East of the Rocky Mountains they will come from Florida, if you are West of the Rocky Mountains then they will be sent from California. Be assured that our butterflies are raised only by IBBA member breeders (butterflies which are raised in their natural environment and not in a warehouse). This ensures that they will be healthiest and most vibrant butterflies for release at your special event.
Related QuestionsButterfly Art FAQ - DecorButterfly.com - True Handmade Artis...By marking butterflies then recapturing or sighting them later scientists gain information on how long butterflies can live. An average butterfly species has an adult life span of 2 weeks or less.Related Questions
How long do the Monarch Butterflies live?
Butterfly Release Wedding-Please Call us with any QuestionsMonarch Butterflies normally live from 2-4 weeks. However, over wintering Monarch Butterflies can live up to 8 or 9 months!
Related QuestionsHow do Live Butterflies survive when boxed up?
Butterfly Release Wedding-Please Call us with any QuestionsThe cool temperature in the shipping box puts the butterflies into a restful and comfortable sleep like state. While in this simulated "over wintering" state they do not need to eat and require very little air.
Related QuestionsHow can I get good photos of Live Butterflies?
Butterfly Release Wedding-Please Call us with any QuestionsButterflies are cold-blooded animals and thus become slow and docile when their body temperature gets below 60 ° F. By placing the Butterflies still in their boxes into the refrigerator for 20 minutes you can bring down their body temperature sufficiently to slow their reactions and movement. The Butterflies can then be place onto wedding bouquets, wedding gowns, or where ever you desire.
Related QuestionsMayor Wynn: WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU LIVE IN?
Closed Caption Log, Council Meeting, 02/16/06Mayor Wnn: CITY MANAGER, IS IT POSSIBLE -- WE HAVE A COUPLE OF AUSTIN ENERGY OFFICIALS IN THE ROOM. PERHAPS WE COULD GET MS. HOLLAND'S CONTACT INFORMATION AND FIGURE OUT THAT PROCESS. YES, THEY HAVE IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MORATORIUM WOULD NOT BE EXTENDED IN THE TREE CUTTING AND TREE TRIMMING WOULD CONTINUE AS IT IS AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME. WHICH IS WHY I'M HERE THIS MORNING. OUR ASSISTANT VICE-PRESIDENT HERE IS SHAKING HIS HEAD NO. STANDING RIGHT BEHIND YOU.
Related QuestionsHow can I get my butterflies to mate?
Frequently asked questions about butterfliesANSWER: Dr. Jaret Daniels demonstrated this procedure to us. We took these photos while hand-pairing Monarchs at our farm. Please look at our Hand Pairing page.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions About Butterflies and Moths: Gene...Different butterfly species have different adult potential life spans. By marking butterflies then recapturing or sighting them later scientists gain information on how long butterflies can live. An average butterfly species has an adult life span of 2 weeks or less. For example one butterfly studied in Costa Rica had a life expectancy of about 2 days, and live 10 days at the most. No adult butterfly can live more than a year.Related Questions
The Butterfly Conservatory, American Museum of Natural Histo...Although the caterpillar may take months to develop, adult butterflies of most species live only a few weeks. Exceptions include migratory species, which may live up to 10 months. In warm climates there are continuous generations, producing butterflies year-round.Related Questions
