Do Butterflies Bite?: Fascinating Answers to Questions about Butterflies and Moths (Animals Q & A)

Full disclosure -- I am another volunteer at the butterfly vivarium exhibit that Hazel Davies supervises at the American Museum of Natural History every year. Still, even if I did not do that and know Hazel, I would recommend this book to anyone with a beginner or intermediate knowledge and interest in butterflies. The question and answer format works perfectly for teaching about them. Many of the questions are natural ones that occur to anyone who has thought at all about butterflies and the answers reveal the variety of butterfly characteristics and habits. A serious lepidopterist probably knows everything between the covers of this book, but for the rest of us it is a wonderful and easily read learning experience. I think it would be especially good for parents who want to teach and learn together with their children about butterflies. And no, butterflies do not bite. They can't because they don't have mouths. Contents 5 Preface 11 Acknowledgments 13 Part One: Butterfly Basics 17 1: What is a butterfly? 17 2: Is it a butterfly or is it a moth? 18 3: Why are they called butterflies? 19 4: What is a skipper? 20 5: How long does a butterfly live? 21 6: Does every butterfly of the same species look alike? 22 7: Which butterflies and moths are the largest in the world? 23 8: Which butterflies and moths are the smallest in the world? 24 9: How much does a butterfly weigh? 24 10: What is a group of butterflies called? 24 11: Are there special words that describe people who love or hate butterflies and moths? 26 Part Two: Butterfly Bodies 27 1: Does a butterfly have bones? 27 2: How does a butterfly breathe? 27 3: Does a butterfly have a heart? 28 4: Do butterflies bleed? 28 5: Do butterflies have good eyesight? 29 6: Do butterflies have ears? 29 7: Do butterflies have a sense of smell? 30 8: How many legs does a butterfly have? 30 9: How many wings does a butterfly have? 32 10: What are butterfly wings made of? 32 11: What makes the wings colorful? 33 12: What happens if a wing gets torn or damaged? 33 13: Is it true that a butterfly will no longer be able to fly if you touch its wings? 34 14: Why are butterflies called “cold-blooded”? 34 Part Three: Butterfly Life 36 1: Do butterflies bite? 36 2: How do butterflies eat? 36 3: What do butterflies eat? 37 4: How do butterflies find their food? 39 5: Is it true that some butterflies and moths do not eat or drink? 40 6: What are butterflies doing when they gather on the ground? 41 7: Do moths really eat your clothes? 41 8: How do butterflies excrete? 42 9: Do butterflies sleep? 42 10: Do butterflies ever make noises? 43 11: Do butterflies communicate? 43 12: Can butterflies learn? 44 13: Do butterflies carry diseases? 45 14: What colors attract butterflies? 45 15: Why are moths attracted to lights? 46 16: How fast do butterflies fly? 47 17: Which butterfly can fly the longest distance? 48 18: How high do butterflies fly? 48 19: Do all butterflies fly? 49 20: How do butterflies survive in cold climates if they need to be warm in order to fly? 50 Part Four: Butterfly Background 52 1: Why are scientific names used in this book? 52 2: How are butterflies classified? 54 3: How is a species identified? 55 4: How many families of butterflies are there? 57 5: How many species of butterflies are alive today? 61 6: When did butterflies and moths first appear on earth? 64 7: Where are butterflies found? 65 8: Why are most butterflies found in the tropics? 67 Part Five: Butterfly Love 69 1: How can you tell the difference between a male and a female butterfly? 69 2: Is it possible for a butterfly to be both male and female? 70 3: How does a butterfly attract a mate? 70 4: How does a butterfly select a mate? 73 5: How do butterflies mate? 74 6: Are butterflies monogamous? 76 7: Do butterflies only mate with their own species? 76 8: What does a butterfly egg look like? 77 9: Where do butterflies lay their eggs? 78 10: How many eggs does a butterfly lay? 81 11: How long does it take for the eggs to hatch? 83 Part Six: Metamorphosis 84 1: How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? 84 2: What is metamorphosis? 84 3: What is the difference between a caterpillar and a larva? 87 4: What do caterpillars eat? 87 5: Does a caterpillar have a skeleton? 90 6: How does a caterpillar grow? 91 7: What is the difference between a chrysalis and a pupa? 92 8: What happens inside the pupa? 93 9: What happens when the butterfly is ready to emerge from its chrysalis? 95 10: What is a cocoon? 95 11: How does a moth get out of its cocoon? 96 12: What is a silkworm? 97 13: What does a jumping bean have to do with moths and butterflies? 97 14: What is the lifespan of a butterfly including all its stages? 98 Part Seven: Dangers and Defenses 99 1: Do people eat butterflies and moths? 100 2: What dangers do caterpillars face? 101 3: How do caterpillars defend themselves? 103 4: What dangers do butterflies face? 105 5: How do butterflies defend themselves? 105 6: Are butterflies poisonous? 107 7: Do toxic butterflies have any predators? 109 8: Why do some butterflies have eye-like spots on their wings? 109 9: Can a butterfly or moth harm me? 111 10: How does an egg defend itself? 113 11: How does a pupa defend itself? 115 12: Do butterflies fight? 116 13: How do butterflies survive harsh weather? 116 Part Eight: Butterflies on the Move 118 1: Do all butterflies migrate? 118 2: Why do they migrate? 119 3: How do scientists study migration patterns? 121 4: How do Monarchs navigate over long distances? 124 5: Do all migrating Monarchs go to the same place? 127 6: How long does it take Monarch butterflies to migrate south? 128 7: What allows the migrating generation of Monarchs to live so long? 128 8: How do Monarchs know when to migrate? 131 9: How do migratory Monarchs know where to go? 131 10: How far can butterflies fly without stopping to rest? 131 11: Does each butterfly travel south to Mexico and back to the United States or Canada? 132 Part Nine: Outdoor Butterflies 133 1: Are butterflies and moths of any ecological value? 133 2: Is it true that some butterflies and moths have a negative impact on the environment? 134 3: Why don’t I see as many butterflies as I used to? 135 4: How can I encourage butterflies to visit and breed in my garden? 137 5: What is a nectar plant? 138 6: What is a host plant? 138 7: Why is it important to know the difference between native and exotic species of plants and animals? 139 8: What other garden features can I provide for butterflies? 140 9: Can I use pesticides in my butterfly garden? 141 10: Do people still collect butterflies? 142 11: Are any species of butterflies threatened or endangered? 145 12: Are any butterfly species extinct? 147 13: What are people doing to protect butterflies? 148 14: Where can I go butterfly watching? 151 15: How can I see more moths? 153 16: Are there any tips for photographing butterflies? 156 17: Is it safe to release butterflies at weddings and other events? 159 Part Ten: Indoor Butterflies 161 1: What is a butterfly conservatory? 161 2: When did conservatories first appear? 162 3: Why are conservatories often so hot? 164 4: Do butterflies reproduce in the conservatory? 164 5: Where do the butterflies come from? 165 6: Do all the different species get along? 166 7: What do you feed the butterflies? 167 8: What happens at night? 168 9: Do indoor butterflies recognize their keepers? 168 10: How can I attract a butterfly to land on me? 168 11: Can I raise butterflies at home? 169 Appendix A: Selected Nectar Plants for North American Butterflies and Moths 171 Appendix B: Host Plants of Selected North American Butterflies and Moths 174 Appendix C: Public Butterfly Conservatories and Exhibits 177 Appendix D: Website Resources 197 Appendix E: Organizations 200 Appendix F: Suggestions for Further Reading 204 Appendix G: Species List of Butterflies and Moths 207 Sources 219 Index 229 About the Authors 240 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 11 Acknowledgments......Page 13 1: What is a butterfly?......Page 17 2: Is it a butterfly or is it a moth?......Page 18 3: Why are they called butterflies?......Page 19 4: What is a skipper?......Page 20 5: How long does a butterfly live?......Page 21 6: Does every butterfly of the same species look alike?......Page 22 7: Which butterflies and moths are the largest in the world?......Page 23 10: What is a group of butterflies called?......Page 24 11: Are there special words that describe people who love or hate butterflies and moths?......Page 26 2: How does a butterfly breathe?......Page 27 4: Do butterflies bleed?......Page 28 6: Do butterflies have ears?......Page 29 8: How many legs does a butterfly have?......Page 30 10: What are butterfly wings made of?......Page 32 12: What happens if a wing gets torn or damaged?......Page 33 14: Why are butterflies called “cold-blooded”?......Page 34 2: How do butterflies eat?......Page 36 3: What do butterflies eat?......Page 37 4: How do butterflies find their food?......Page 39 5: Is it true that some butterflies and moths do not eat or drink?......Page 40 7: Do moths really eat your clothes?......Page 41 9: Do butterflies sleep?......Page 42 11: Do butterflies communicate?......Page 43 12: Can butterflies learn?......Page 44 14: What colors attract butterflies?......Page 45 15: Why are moths attracted to lights?......Page 46 16: How fast do butterflies fly?......Page 47 18: How high do butterflies fly?......Page 48 19: Do all butterflies fly?......Page 49 20: How do butterflies survive in cold climates if they need to be warm in order to fly?......Page 50 1: Why are scientific names used in this book?......Page 52 2: How are butterflies classified?......Page 54 3: How is a species identified?......Page 55 4: How many families of butterflies are there?......Page 57 5: How many species of butterflies are alive today?......Page 61 6: When did butterflies and moths first appear on earth?......Page 64 7: Where are butterflies found?......Page 65 8: Why are most butterflies found in the tropics?......Page 67 1: How can you tell the difference between a male and a female butterfly?......Page 69 3: How does a butterfly attract a mate?......Page 70 4: How does a butterfly select a mate?......Page 73 5: How do butterflies mate?......Page 74 7: Do butterflies only mate with their own species?......Page 76 8: What does a butterfly egg look like?......Page 77 9: Where do butterflies lay their eggs?......Page 78 10: How many eggs does a butterfly lay?......Page 81 11: How long does it take for the eggs to hatch?......Page 83 2: What is metamorphosis?......Page 84 4: What do caterpillars eat?......Page 87 5: Does a caterpillar have a skeleton?......Page 90 6: How does a caterpillar grow?......Page 91 7: What is the difference between a chrysalis and a pupa?......Page 92 8: What happens inside the pupa?......Page 93 10: What is a cocoon?......Page 95 11: How does a moth get out of its cocoon?......Page 96 13: What does a jumping bean have to do with moths and butterflies?......Page 97 14: What is the lifespan of a butterfly including all its stages?......Page 98 Part Seven: Dangers and Defenses......Page 99 1: Do people eat butterflies and moths?......Page 100 2: What dangers do caterpillars face?......Page 101 3: How do caterpillars defend themselves?......Page 103 5: How do butterflies defend themselves?......Page 105 6: Are butterflies poisonous?......Page 107 8: Why do some butterflies have eye-like spots on their wings?......Page 109 9: Can a butterfly or moth harm me?......Page 111 10: How does an egg defend itself?......Page 113 11: How does a pupa defend itself?......Page 115 13: How do butterflies survive harsh weather?......Page 116 1: Do all butterflies migrate?......Page 118 2: Why do they migrate?......Page 119 3: How do scientists study migration patterns?......Page 121 4: How do Monarchs navigate over long distances?......Page 124 5: Do all migrating Monarchs go to the same place?......Page 127 7: What allows the migrating generation of Monarchs to live so long?......Page 128 10: How far can butterflies fly without stopping to rest?......Page 131 11: Does each butterfly travel south to Mexico and back to the United States or Canada?......Page 132 1: Are butterflies and moths of any ecological value?......Page 133 2: Is it true that some butterflies and moths have a negative impact on the environment?......Page 134 3: Why don’t I see as many butterflies as I used to?......Page 135 4: How can I encourage butterflies to visit and breed in my garden?......Page 137 6: What is a host plant?......Page 138 7: Why is it important to know the difference between native and exotic species of plants and animals?......Page 139 8: What other garden features can I provide for butterflies?......Page 140 9: Can I use pesticides in my butterfly garden?......Page 141 10: Do people still collect butterflies?......Page 142 11: Are any species of butterflies threatened or endangered?......Page 145 12: Are any butterfly species extinct?......Page 147 13: What are people doing to protect butterflies?......Page 148 14: Where can I go butterfly watching?......Page 151 15: How can I see more moths?......Page 153 16: Are there any tips for photographing butterflies?......Page 156 17: Is it safe to release butterflies at weddings and other events?......Page 159 1: What is a butterfly conservatory?......Page 161 2: When did conservatories first appear?......Page 162 4: Do butterflies reproduce in the conservatory?......Page 164 5: Where do the butterflies come from?......Page 165 6: Do all the different species get along?......Page 166 7: What do you feed the butterflies?......Page 167 10: How can I attract a butterfly to land on me?......Page 168 11: Can I raise butterflies at home?......Page 169 Appendix A: Selected Nectar Plants for North American Butterflies and Moths......Page 171 Appendix B: Host Plants of Selected North American Butterflies and Moths......Page 174 Appendix C: Public Butterfly Conservatories and Exhibits......Page 177 Appendix D: Website Resources......Page 197 Appendix E: Organizations......Page 200 Appendix F: Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 204 Appendix G: Species List of Butterflies and Moths......Page 207 Sources......Page 219 Index......Page 229 About the Authors......Page 240 How fast do butterflies fly? Does a butterfly have ears? Do they sleep? Does a caterpillar have a skeleton? How does a moth get out of its cocoon? What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? And just what is a skipper? Every year, thousands of people visit butterfly conservatories to stand in quiet awe of the simple beauty displayed by these magical creatures. Hazel Davies and Carol A. Butler capture the sense of wonderment and curiosity experienced by adults and children alike in this book about butterflies and their taxonomic cousins, the moths and the skippers. Beautifully illustrated with color and black and white photographs, and drawings by renowned artist William Howe, this book is an essential resource for parents, teachers, students, or anyone who has ever been entranced by these fascinating, fluttering creatures. Covering everything from their basic biology to their complex behaviors at every stage of life to issues in butterfly conservation, Davies and Butler explore wide-ranging topics and supply a trove of intriguing facts. You'll find tips on how to attract more butterflies to your garden, how to photograph them, and even how to raise them in your own home. Arranged in a question and answer format, the book provides detailed information written in an accessible style that brings to life the science and natural history of these insects. In addition, sidebars throughout the book detail an assortment of butterfly trivia, while extensive appendices direct you to organizations, web sites, and more than 200 indoor and outdoor public exhibits, where you can learn more or connect with other lepidopterophiles (butterfly lovers). Do Butterflies Bite? brings to life the science and natural history of butterflies and moths. Beautifully illustrated, the book contains intriguing facts, including everything from basic biology to issues in butterfly conservation. Find tips on how to attract, photograph, and even raise butterflies. Extensive appendices provide organizations, websites, and over 200 public exhibits where you can learn more.

About the Author:
Hazel Davies is the manager of living exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. She formerly worked as a science teacher

About the Author:
Carol A. Butler is a psychotherapist in private practice, a writer, a photographer, and a docent at the American Museum of Natural History in New York