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10 Fun Facts

Butterflies

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Butterflies are found on every continent of the world except Antarctica.

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It is estimated that there are about 20,000 species of butterflies in the world.

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Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12 inches.

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The vast majority of butterflies have a four-stage life cycle; egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and imago (adult).

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In most cases, moths are active at night (nocturnal) and butterflies are active during the day (diurnal).

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Butterflies lay eggs on trees and branches that are glued with a special kind of adhesive that they make in their bodies.

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Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet to help them find their host plants and locate food.

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Butterflies often have brightly coloured wings with unique patterns made up of tiny scales.

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A few hours before the butterfly emerges, the chrysalis turns a dark (almost black) color.

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Monarch butterflies cannot bite, and drink through a long tongue called a proboscis that works like an eyedropper drawing up nectar.