About butterflies
Butterflies are the second-largest group of insects in terms of numbers. They have been around much longer on our planet than humans; their oldest fossils date back to the Triassic period, which means these insects were flying even during the time of dinosaurs. They have been on our planet for over 200 million years! In our country alone, we can observe over 3,000 species of these winged insects, while there are as many as 150,000 species worldwide. Butterflies are found on all continents except Antarctica. They are also important indicators of the state of the natural environment. Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, studying butterfly populations can provide information about the health of ecosystems.
Butterfly development
The butterfly development process consists of four main stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult butterfly. The duration of each stage can vary.
- The incubation period of butterfly eggs typically ranges from a few days to several weeks, depending on the species. After this time, small caterpillars hatch
- The period during which the caterpillar feeds and grows can range from a few weeks to several months. This time also depends on the butterfly species and environmental conditions, as well as the availability of food.
- The caterpillar pupates, forming a hard shell called a chrysalis. The time the chrysalis spends in this state also depends on the species and can range from a few weeks to several months.
The lifespan of adult butterflies can vary significantly depending on the species. In general, most butterflies, both diurnal and nocturnal, have a relatively short lifespan in their adult stage. Typically, it lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Some species, however, can live longer, even up to several months.
The short lifespan of adult moths is partly related to the fact that their main goal in this stage is reproduction and egg laying, rather than long-term survival. Much of their energy is devoted to finding a mate and laying eggs rather than longevity.
Butterflies in the Kaczawskie Mountains
In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes, you can encounter many different species of butterflies. Below are a few examples:
- The peacock butterfly – it’s one of the most recognizable diurnal butterflies. Its wings have a brownish-orange color with characteristic “eyes” on the wings.
- Common yellow swallowtail – it is a large butterfly with brown wings with black and white spots. Females have more intensively colored wings than males. It is found both in forests and in flowery fields.
- Red admiral – it is a large daytime butterfly with black wings with red stripes and white spots. It is one of the most commonly encountered species in the Kaczawskie Mountains.
- Scarce large blue – is a small butterfly with blue wings having black borders in males. It is a protected species and can be found in meadows and near peat bogs.
How to observe butterflies?
In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes, you can encounter many species of butteflies. You can observe them on sunny meadows, clearings, as well as on the edges of forests or peat bogs. They occur in large numbers particularly in many places within the “Chełmy” Landscape Park or in the Bóbr Valley. Good locations also include the areas around Ostrzyca and Czartowska Rock. When observing butterflies, remember to be delicate and cautious. Avoid catching them or disturbing their natural habitat. You can take a camera or binoculars with you to better observe and record your observations. Also, remember that the best time for butterfly watching is sunny and warm weather when they are most active.
Interesting facts
- Butterflies often use their wings as a kind of solar panels. They use them to accumulate warmth, without which they wouldn’t be able to fly; they typically need around 30°C for this process.
- Each butterfly species is distinguished by a unique pair of wings.
- Butterflies have exceptionally long tongues, called proboscises. They use them to extract nectar from flowers. Some butterfly species have tongues up to ten times the length of their body.
- Butterflies are one of the most well-known migrating insects. Some species cover hundreds or even thousands of kilometers in search of suitable habitats and food.
- Some butterfly species have the ability to camouflage, which helps them hide from predators. Their wings can mimic leaves or tree bark, making it difficult for them to be spotted.
