July
Butterflies
monarch on gayfeather
Many of us learn at an early age that the leaf-munching caterpillar found in the local park will one day stop eating, create a chrysalis, and later emerge as a butterfly. A remarkable process, indeed, but what actually occurs inside the chrysalis has long mystified and amazed scientists and casual observers alike. With a deceptively still outward appearance, the chrysalis has the very big task of breaking down the caterpillar’s body and literally rebuilding the cellular material into a butterfly. Through a process called ‘histolysis,’ enzymes similar to digestive juices breakdown the caterpillar’s organic tissue into a liquid. Several small groups of cells remain intact through this process and play an important roll in the next, regenerative part of the metamorphosis. These special groups of cells are called ‘imaginal buds,’ and each one, when triggered, builds and differentiates the various tissues needed to create a butterfly – wings, a digestive system, nervous system, legs, etc. This ‘histogenesis’ process is one of nature’s amazing feats and occurs throughout the natural world, including during our own development.
Did you know…
Butterflies need the sun to fly? Being cold-blooded, butterflies cannot take to flight until their wings (specifically their thoracic flight muscles) are warmed – that’s why you often see them basking in the sun. They can also use shivering to warm their muscles. 82-100 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for butterfly flight.
To Do This Month:
Plant nectar-producing flowers in your yard to attract butterflies. Or see below for ideas for an entire butterfly garden.
Get out there to observe local butterflies at Nature Net sites. A successful butterfly hike involves the right weather, good timing, the right attitude, and a little bit of luck! These delicate insects are attracted to the colors red, yellow, orange, pink, or purple (and they can see ultraviolet), so find places where there might be flowers of these colors or wear them yourself. Find a spot and settle in. If patience is in short supply, pack a butterfly book or small plastic butterfly model (available in hobby stores) in your backpack. Look at the coloration; discuss the parts of the butterfly. If you were a butterfly, where would you land and why?
More on butterfly vision: Of all creatures with vision, butterflies are thought to have the ability to see the greatest range of color/light. Our (and butterfly) eyes perceive color based on electromagnetic radiation which travels at different wavelengths. Visible colors for humans (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) have the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers. Butterflies, however, can detect wavelengths from 310 to 700 nanometers. This means they can see the shorter wavelength of ultraviolet. Many flowering plants that rely on pollinators like the butterfly have developed “pollen guides” to advertise where to land for food. Check out these images of how butterflies see the world.
Find more fun butterfly facts from About Education or backyardboss.net
Don’t forget to pick up a Nature Passport at your favorite Nature Net site (now available in Spanish).
And be sure to experience Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ “Blooming Butterfly” event, taking place July 15th through August 9th, 2015, count butterflies with Bethel Horizons, or take a butterfly stroll with UW Arboretum naturalist.
Our Favorite Butterfly Books
July Calendar of Events
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Tie-Dyed Butterflies
For Educators:
Monarch Lab
The University of Michigan’s Monarch Lab provides all the ideas, curricula, and resources one needs to start or update a butterfly learning experience in the classroom – and outdoors! Their aim is to “combine real science with techniques that work for both teachers and students.” To that end, they have gathered information about monarch biology and natural history; recent research projects, publications and statistics; and citizen science monitoring opportunities – all in one easy-to-use website. They also offer curricula for grades K-6 on-line or for purchase (for a hard-copy). Lessons range from journal keeping, to investigating butterfly scales, to middle school-level student project suggestions. If you’re near enough to any of the University of Michigan campus sites, you might also take advantage of several Teacher Workshops on citizen science or a showing of the IMAX movie, “The Flight of the Butterflies” which traces the great monarch migration and delves into scientific inquiry and conservation actions. The Monarch Lab also offers supplies for classroom butterfly rearing, but a greater depth of resources is also available from sites like EducationalScience.com
Butterfly curriculum and teacher resources have also been gathered by the US Department of Agriculture. Or, if you’re a subscribing member to BrainPOP, you might find this butterfly BrainPOP movie and accompanying lesson ideas useful.
And, if you’re ready to get a butterfly garden established on your school grounds, this Mini-grant from the Association for Butterflies just might get you going.
For Families:
Butterfly Gardens
Many conservationists contend that one of the most helpful actions concerned citizens can take in helping butterfly populations, is establishing a butterfly garden. These home gardens can provide a waystation for butterflies as they flit between larger wildlife preserves or natural habitats. A few tips to consider in planning your home-grown sanctuary include, starting with a sunny, protected area since butterflies need warmth; selecting a variety of plants and planting the same type of plants together in blocks; providing flowers that bloom throughout the entire butterfly season – this includes spring blooms for butterflies emerging from hibernation and autumn blooms for those preparing for the winter – and never using insecticides and pesticides. The North American Butterfly Association suggests selecting plants not just for nectar production but also for caterpillar food sources. They write, “the relationship between butterflies and caterpillars and the plants they use for food is not a casual one. It is a relationship created over thousands of years as flowering plants developed alongside insects.” Find out which species to prepare for by visiting local butterfly gardens or consulting field guides. And don’t forget that butterflies need water. While nectar, dew or sap may provide sufficient moisture, butterflies are often found drinking from puddles, where they intake needed minerals and salts.
For ideas on prefered nectar-producing plants, check out this slideshow from Better Homes and Gardens – but keep in mind whether each of these plants is suitable for your hardiness zone.
For more information on conservation efforts, check out the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service websites.