Basic Facts About Butterflies

Butterflies (Order: Lepidoptera) are brightly colored flying insects with two pairs of large wings that vary
in color and pattern from species to species. Butterfly wings are covered with overlapping rows of tiny
scales, a characteristic butterflies share with their fellow lepidopterans, the moths.

Diet
A caterpillars first meal is its own eggshell. It then spends most of its time eating the leaves
of the plant on which it hatched. An adult butterfly uncoils its long, straw-like proboscis to
sip nectar from flowers, juice from rotting fruit and water from puddles.

Population
Exact numbers are not known since there are about 17,500 species of butterflies spread
throughout almost the entire world.

Range
Butterflies are found worldwide except on the continent of Antarctica. Many species migrate
to avoid adverse conditions. Most migrate relatively short distances, but monarchs and
several other species migrate thousands of miles.

Behavior
Life cycle: From egg to adult, butterflies undergo a series of physical transformations known
as metamorphosis. After mating, the female butterfly lays her eggs on a caterpillar food or
host plant. The eggs can hatch within a few days, or within months or even years,
depending on whether or not conditions are right.
After hatching, a caterpillar begins to eat the host plant. The caterpillar sheds its skin
several times during this stage. It then seeks a sheltered spot, suspends itself by silken threads
and sheds one last time to reveal skin that will harden to form the chrysalis or pupa. Days,
months or even years later, depending on the species, a fully developed winged adult emerges
from the chrysalis and the cycle begins anew.
Defense Mechanisms: Many butterflies have developed interesting ways of defending
themselves from predators. One method is disguise, or cryptic coloration, where the
butterfly has the ability to look like a leaf or blend into the bark of a tree to hide from
predators. Another method is chemical defense, where the butterfly has evolved to have toxic
chemicals in its body. These species of butterfly are often brightly colored, and predators
have learned over time to associate their bright color with the bad taste of the chemicals.

Threats
The greatest threats to butterflies are habitat change and loss due to residential, commercial
and agricultural development. Climate change is also threatening species of butterfly. The
Ediths checkerspot butterfly, which ranges from Baja to Canada along the West Coast, has
been moving northward and upslope. But for two subspecies the Bay and Quino their
progress is blocked by the vast urban landcapes of San Francisco and San Diego,
respectively. Both subspecies are now critically imperiled.

Grasshopper Information
Phylum, Arthropoda; Class, Insecta; Order, Orthoptera
Identifying Features
Appearance (Morphology)
o Brown, with some darker markings
o Black herringbone pattern on hind femur
o Big hind legs for jumping
o 2 pairs of wings: forewings narrow and relatively
hard; hind wings large, membranous
o Antennae not very long, 20-24 segments
o Conspicuous eyes
o Cerci (pair of appendages at end of abdomen) unjointed
Adult Males and Females
Males have a single unpaired plate at the end of abdomen. Female has two pairs of
valves (triangle shapes) at end of abdomen used to dig in sand when egg laying.
Immatures (different stages)
In very young stage, the grasshopper has no wings. In later stages, wings are visible as
small pads at end of thorax.
Natural History
Food
Many species of grasshoppers are general herbivores feeding on a variety of plants.
Some species only like grasses.
Habitat
Widespread in U.S.
Predators
Birds, lizards,mantids, spiders, and rodents eat grasshoppers.
Interesting Behaviors
Feeding: Although they eat many things, they still have preferences. Mating behavior:
See how male courts female. Egg-laying: Female digs hole with abdomen. Some
grasshoppers spit a brown bitter liquid as a defensive behavior in response to being handled.
Use a piece of white paper and gently wipe the grasshopper's mouth if the spit is not evident.
Before molting, grasshoppers do not eat and become less active. During the molt, they
swallow air to build up pressure to split the old cuticle.
Impact on the Ecosystem
Positive
As herbivores, grasshoppers link plants to the rest of the ecosystem. Frass (droppings)
contribute to nutrient turnover by returning nutrients as fertilizer for the plants. They provide
food for birds and other arthropods.
Negative
Sometimes some species of grasshopper occur in very large numbers and cause serious crop
damage and loss of plants in pastures.