The Children’s Butterfly Site

By: Sarah EatonEDU 375

Spring 2011

www.kidsbutterfly.org

• The Children's Butterfly Site is now a project of the Big Sky Institute at Montana State University.

• Funding support comes from the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) and from advertisers.

Life Cycle of Butterflies and Moths

• The egg is a tiny, round, oval, or cylindrical object, usually with fine ribs and other microscopic structures. The female attaches the egg to leaves, stems, or other objects, usually on or near the intended caterpillar food.

Life Cycle of Butterflies and Moths

• The caterpillar (or larva) is the long, worm-like stage of the butterfly or moth. It often has an interesting pattern of stripes or patches, and it may have spine-like hairs. It is the feeding and growth stage. As it grows, it sheds its skin four or more times so as to enclose its rapidly growing body.

Life Cycle of Butterflies and Moths

The chrysalis (or pupa) is the transformation stage within which the caterpillar tissues are broken down and the adult insect‘s structures are formed. The chrysalis of most species is brown or green and blends into the background. Many species overwinter in this stage.

Life Cycle of Butterflies and Moths

• The adult (or imago) is colorful butterfly or moth usually seen. It is the reproductive and mobile stage for the species. The adults undergo courtship, mating, and egg-laying. The adult butterfly or moth is also the stage that migrates or colonizes new habitats.

Adult Butterfly Anatomy

Learn About Butterflies and Moths One may access the link to read about frequently asked questions about butterflies and moths

The questions are broken down into topics of: *General Questions

*Questions About the Butterfly and Moth Life Cycle

* Questions About Butterfly or Moth Appearance

• *Questions About Butterfly and Moth Moth Behavior

*Questions About Catching and Handling Butterflies and Moths

• This site is very informative for students who are learning about butterflies.

• This site offers a link for teachers to be able to access teaching and learning tools to assist in teaching about butterflies.

• This site offers a link for students to find related websites about butterflies.

• There is also coloring pages for children to print out, and a photo gallery for the children to look at and see what other children have discovered.

References

• Opler, Paul A., Kelly Lotts, and Thomas Naberhaus. 2010. The Children's Butterfly Site. Bozeman, MT: Big Sky Institute. http://www.kidsbutterfly.org

• Google Images