If you see two adult butterflies with their abdomens linked tail-to-tail, they are mating. The male grasps the female and deposits a sperm packet, which fertilizes the female's eggs. The butterflies can fly while mating, but they usually avoid moving unless they are disturbed.

Maybe, maybe not. The University has indicated they would like the butterflies for their attraction at the future south campus greenhouse they have planned. Butterflies are expensive and high maintenance, because they require rotating beds of nectar plants to keep a supply of those in bloom, which we may not be able to do. See similar questions...

We pay painstaking attention to reproducing each piece of jewelry using the same techniques as the original. This is done to honor the ancient craftsmen who worked with extremely limited resources. See similar questions...

Good question! About eighteen months ago I went through a bit of a bad patch in life (as you do!). When I started feeling better, I seemed to see butterflies wherever I went - in garden, new job, peoples clothes etc. To me they symbolise a change in my life, positivity, freedom and happiness. See similar questions...

Butterflies in the stomach are really just those nervous, fluttery feelings you may experience before a big math test... See similar questions...

Permission to reproduce material from the BNFC is granted in certain circumstances and should be sought from The Executive Editor, Please note that the publishers do not permit the reproduction of any part of the BNFC for promotional purposes. See similar questions...

Males of many butterfly species commonly gather at stream banks, mud puddles, moist gravel or damp sand for access to water, dissolved salts and amino acids. To attract males, the simplest method is to fill a large plastic container with sand. Locate an open, sun-lit area of the garden and dig a shallow hole and place the container in the ground, so that the rim is even with the top of the soil. Fill in around the edges with wet sand. See similar questions...

Elegant Aliforms have NO MOTOR. Their motion is created by a very high tech wire, called Flexinol ™. Flexinol’s diameter is approximately the size of a strand of hair. When heated by an electrical current, the wire contracts or becomes shorter. When the wire cools, it resumes its original length (or shape). Similar to a muscle contracting and relaxing, the Flexinol™ causes the wings to open and close, creating a very lifelike motion. See similar questions...

The butterflies should last for years, but they do come with a one year warranty with full replacement. In the unlikely event that your butterfly should fail, all questions regarding failures should be directed to our manufacturer, Dynalloy, Inc. -- 3124A Airport Loop Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 -- Phone: (714) 436-1206. See similar questions...

Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma and Red Admiral all hibernate as adults from October until the first of the warmer weather in March. You will find them in sheds, garages and sometimes in your house looking for a cool, secure site. They are often eaten during hibernation by shrews and spiders as they can not escape. See similar questions...

We specialise in naturally breeding and raising beautiful healthy Monarch butterflies. The Monarch butterfly is a spectacular butterfly and the most suitable for releasing ~ they are large and colourful and their flight pattern is graceful. They are also ‘people friendly’ (ie. they will not be afraid of humans), strong and travel well. Plus they are native to all areas of Australia, so they will naturally live out their lifecycle in any habitat in which they are released. See similar questions...

No. Every display is different. Each is a handmade piece of art made with native materials as they are available to the artisans. We simply import, then resell framed displays that are made in Peru. We have no control over what butterflies go in what display. We cannot identify or find any butterfly by species EXCEPT in the case of the Morpho family butterflies. See similar questions...

We do not get any purples. Even any other colors are hard to promise except that the Morphos are bright luminescent blue and there are always yellow butterflies in most any display of 4 or more specimens. See similar questions...

There 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. See similar questions...

Our butterflies come from butterfly farms in the tropics. At these farms butterflies are bred in captivity. The eggs hatch and the caterpillars feed on their native host plants. Once they pupate to a chrysalis, they are harvested and shipped by courier to our Conservatory. Various government permits are required to import the butterflies. See similar questions...

No, not all butterflies migrate. Some species can survive the winter as adults, eggs, caterpillars or pupa; thus, do not have to migrate. A major migrant in North America is the Monarch; in Europe and North Africa it is the Painted Lady. It is in the interest of the species to move abroad and find new territories. Getting away from the parental area is good for the species. See similar questions...