Butterflies and their beautiful types

Butterflies are the common name for insects that are included within the order of Lepidoptera (comes from the Greek "lips", scale, and "pteron", wing), which translates to "scale wing". The best known for their colorful motifs are daytime butterflies, but most species are nocturnal (moths, sphinxes, peacocks, etc.), although these sometimes go unnoticed.

Characteristics of butterflies

Butterflies have a very important function on our planet since they are one of those in charge of pollinating many flowers, even with an enormous distance between them. The wings of butterflies vary according to the species we are talking about since some will have two wings, but others will have a square.

How butterflies are born

There are differences in the way in which the courtship of males is carried out between the different families that make up the order of Lepidoptera, but in general, this consists of exhibitions and the production of sexual pheromones. After mating and fertilization have occurred, the female looks for the specific plant that her larvae feed on and there she lays the eggs to hatch.

Its development occurs through a complete metamorphosis that consists of 4 stages and is characteristic only of the most evolved insects. The embryonic stage takes place inside the egg, from which they hatch as a larva or caterpillar. 

The caterpillar eagerly feeds on the plant where it was born and sheds its skin five to eight times to support this accelerated growth rate.

At one point in its development, the caterpillar looks for a sheltered place, is fixed employing silk, and remains almost immobile until it transforms into a chrysalis. The chrysalis is covered by a thick chitin membrane that protects it during its dormant period. 

During this phase, it does not feed and a series of metabolic and morphological changes occur, until finally, the adult butterfly emerges, breaking the external skeleton of the chrysalis.

How butterflies are born

There are differences in the way in which male courtship is carried out between the different families that make up the order Lepidoptera, but in general, this consists of displays and the production of sexual pheromones. After mating and fertilization have taken place, the female looks for the specific plant with which her larvae feed and lays the eggs there so that they hatch.

Its development occurs through a complete metamorphosis consisting of 4 stages and is characteristic only of the most highly evolved insects. 

The embryonic stage takes place inside the egg, from which they hatch as a larva or caterpillar. The caterpillar feeds avidly on the plant on which it was born, shedding its skin five to eight times to support this accelerated growth rate.

What colors are butterflies

The coloration of the wings of butterflies has reached the maximum specialization, so we find many species of bright colors and designs.  Sometimes the arrangement of these scales with a multitude of longitudinal edges alters the reflection of light on the butterfly, producing very striking colors that can become bright or metallic.

The patterns that are sometimes seen in butterflies are due to the specific placement of these scales on the wings. Such is the case of several species of butterflies that have a pattern similar to eyes, called ocelli. These have a defensive function as they serve to scare away birds, which are their main predators.