Hobbies And Interests
Papilionidae
The papilionidae family of butterflies are also known as swallowtails. The caterpillars are black and white spotted. The appearance is similar to bird droppings and acts as a camouflage. They have a Y-shaped gland on their heads that excretes chemicals which ward off predators. Adults are medium to large in size. They flap their wings while feeding off the nectar in flowers, unlike most butterflies which remain motionless during feeding. They do this to balance their weight on the flower and prevent it from tipping due to their larger sizes.
Pieridae
The Pieridae family of butterflies is also known as the whites and the sulphurs. Butterflies in this family are either white or yellow. The caterpillars are green and without hairs or spines. Caterpillars of white butterflies feed primarily on mustard plants and caterpillars of yellow butterflies feed primarily on legumes. Adults are medium-sized with forked tips on their legs. The wings of pieridae butterflies absorb specific patterns of ultraviolet light allowing members of the same species to identify each other during mating season.
Danaidae
The Danaidae family of butterfly is also known as the milkweeds. Caterpillars feed primarily on milkweed plants, which are toxic to most animals. This diet acts as a defense mechanism by causing a build-up of toxic chemicals in the caterpillar which make it distasteful to most predators. The caterpillars are brightly colored and lack hair and spines. They do possess a long filament on each end of their body. Adults are usually orange and black in color. The most commonly known milkweed butterfly is the monarch.
Satyridae
The butterflies of the satyridae family are also known as satyr or wood nymph butterflies. The caterpillars are green and well-camouflaged. Their bodies have split rear ends that look like two tails. Their diet consists mainly of grasses and sedges. Adults are medium-sized with brown, gray or orange wings. The forewings of satyridae butterflies contain special hearing organs. Males also have a stigma on their forewings which disperses scents used to attract females.
Morphidae
The morphidae family of butterflies are known for the dazzling blue colors on adult wings. The caterpillars, however, are reddish-brown and have bright green spots. They feed primarily on pea plants. Adults spend most of their life near the forest floor except when looking for a mate. During mating season adult butterflies will fly to any level of a forest and even over tree tops. Adults feed on the fluids of decomposing fruits, plants, animals and fungi.
Nymphalidae
Nymphalidae butterflies are also known as brush-footed butterflies because the short, bushy forelegs of adult butterflies resemble brushes. Caterpillars vary in coloration but are often covered with hair or spines. The coloration of adult butterflies also varies. In addition to their distinct forelegs adults are also characterized by the knotted tips on their antennae. Adults are known to migrate long distances and exhibit territorial behavior. They also overwinter which is unusual among butterflies.
Lycaenidae
Lycaenidae butterflies are also known as gossamer-winged butterflies because their delicate, shimmery wings resemble gossamer fabric. Caterpillars are small, slug-shaped and hairy. Some caterpillars in the family have a nectar organ that excretes a sugary solution which attracts ants. The ants feed off the substance and protect the caterpillar from predators. Adults have a small wingspan, usually one to two inches. Some adults in the species known as hairstreaks have a tail attached to the rear of their hindwings.
Hesperiidae
Hesperiidae butterflies are also known as skippers because of their skipping, erratic flight patterns. Caterpillars are green with tapered bodies and make shelters out of leaves and silk. Adults have a large, hairy body similar to a moth. They are characterized by wide heads and small, pointed wings. The antennae are curved. Males also have stigma on their forewings. These stigma release chemicals that attract females during mating season. Hesperiidae have a unique resting posture with the forewings only half-open but the hindwings completely spread open.