Do Butterflies Bite?: Fascinating Answers to Questions about Butterflies and Moths

by Hazel Davies, Carol A . Butler

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813545073
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	06/03/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

Preface     xi
Acknowledgments     xiii
Butterfly Basics     1
What is a butterfly?     1
Is it a butterfly or is it a moth?     2
Why are they called butterflies?     3
What is a skipper?     4
How long does a butterfly live?     5
Does every butterfly of the same species look alike?     6
Which butterflies and moths are the largest in the world?     7
Which butterflies and moths are the smallest in the world?     8
How much does a butterfly weigh?     8
What is a group of butterflies called?     8
Are there special words that describe people who love or hate butterflies and moths?     10
Butterfly Bodies     11
Does a butterfly have bones?     11
How does a butterfly breathe?     11
Does a butterfly have a heart?     12
Do butterflies bleed?     12
Do butterflies have good eyesight?     13
Do butterflies have ears?     13
Do butterflies have a sense of smell?     14
How many legs does a butterfly have?     14
How many wings does a butterfly have?     16
What are butterfly wings made of?     16
Whatmakes the wings colorful?     17
What happens if a wing gets torn or damaged?     17
Is it true that a butterfly will no longer be able to fly if you touch its wings?     18
Why are butterflies called "cold-blooded"?     18
Butterfly Life     20
Do butterflies bite?     20
How do butterflies eat?     20
What do butterflies eat?     21
How do butterflies find their food?     23
Is it true that some butterflies and moths don't eat or drink?     24
What are butterflies doing when they gather on the ground?     25
Do moths really eat your clothes?     25
How do butterflies excrete?     26
Do butterflies sleep?     26
Do butterflies ever make noises?     27
Do butterflies communicate?     28
Can butterflies learn?     28
Do butterflies carry diseases?     29
What colors attract butterflies?     30
Why are moths attracted to lights?     30
How fast do butterflies fly?     31
Which butterfly can fly the longest distance?     32
How high do butterflies fly?     32
Do all butterflies fly?     33
How do butterflies survive in cold climates if they need to be warm in order to fly?     34
Butterfly Background     36
Why are scientific names used in this book?     36
How are butterflies classified?     38
How is a species identified?     39
How many families of butterflies are there?     41
How many species of butterflies are alive today?     45
When did butterflies and moths first appear on earth?     48
Where are butterflies found?     49
Why are most butterflies found in the tropics?     51
Butterfly Love     53
How can you tell the difference between a male and a female butterfly?     53
Is it possible for a butterfly to be both male and female?     54
How does a butterfly attract a mate?     54
How does a butterfly select a mate?     57
How do butterflies mate?     58
Are butterflies monogamous?     60
Do butterflies only mate with their own species?     60
What does a butterfly egg look like?     61
Where do butterflies lay their eggs?     62
How many eggs does a butterfly lay?     65
How long does it take for the eggs to hatch?     67
Metamorphosis     68
How does a caterpillar become a butterfly?      68
What is metamorphosis?     68
What is the difference between a caterpillar and a larva?     71
What do caterpillars eat?     71
Does a caterpillar have a skeleton?     74
How does a caterpillar grow?     75
What is the difference between a chrysalis and a pupa?     76
What happens inside the pupa?     77
What happens when the butterfly is ready to emerge from its chrysalis?     79
What is a cocoon?     79
How does a moth get out of its cocoon?     80
What is a silkworm?     81
What does a jumping bean have to do with moths and butterflies?     81
What is the lifespan of a butterfly including all its stages?     82
Dangers and Defenses     84
Do people eat butterflies and moths?     84
What dangers do caterpillars face?     85
How do caterpillars defend themselves?     87
What dangers do butterflies face?     89
How do butterflies defend themselves?     89
Are butterflies poisonous?     91
Do toxic butterflies have any predators?     93
Why do some butterflies have eye-like spots on their wings?     94
Can a butterfly or moth harm me?      95
How does an egg defend itself?     97
How does a pupa defend itself?     99
Do butterflies fight?     100
How do butterflies survive harsh weather?     100
Butterflies on the Move     102
Do all butterflies migrate?     102
Why do they migrate?     103
How do scientists study migration patterns?     105
How do Monarchs navigate over long distances?     108
Do all migrating Monarchs go to the same place?     111
How long does it take Monarch butterflies to migrate south?     112
What allows the migrating generation of Monarchs to live so long?     112
How do Monarchs know when to migrate?     115
How do migratory Monarchs know where to go?     115
How far can butterflies fly without stopping to rest?     116
Does each butterfly travel south to Mexico and back to the United States or Canada?     116
Outdoor Butterflies     117
Are butterflies and moths of any ecological value?     117
Is it true that some butterflies and moths have a negative impact on the environment?     118
Why don't I see as many butterflies as I used to?     119
How can I encourage butterflies to visit and breed in my garden?     121
What is a nectar plant?     122
What is a host plant?     122
Why is it important to know the difference between native and exotic species of plants and animals?     123
What other garden features can I provide for butterflies?     124
Can I use pesticides in my butterfly garden?     125
Do people still collect butterflies?     126
Are any species of butterflies threatened or endangered?     129
Are any butterfly species extinct?     131
What are people doing to protect butterflies?     132
Where can I go butterfly watching?     135
How can I see more moths?     137
Are there any tips for photographing butterflies?     140
Is it safe to release butterflies at weddings and other events?     143
Indoor Butterflies     145
What is a butterfly conservatory?     145
When did conservatories first appear?     146
Why are conservatories often so hot?     148
Do butterflies reproduce in the conservatory?     148
Where do the butterflies come from?     149
Do all the different species get along?     150
What do you feed the butterflies?     151
What happens at night?     152
Do indoor butterflies recognize their keepers?     152
How can I attract a butterfly to land on me?     152
Can I raise butterflies at home?     153
Appendices     155
Selected Nectar Plants for North American Butterflies and Moths     155
Host Plants of Selected North American Butterflies and Moths     158
Public Butterfly Conservatories and Exhibits     161
Website Resources     181
Organizations     184
Suggestions for Further Reading     188
Species List of Butterflies and Moths     191
Sources     203
Index     213

Editorial Reviews

"This book answers everything you would like to know about butterflies—a great addition to the library for those who like butterflies and nature!"

coauthor of Butterflies of North America - Jim P. Brock

"This mixed-audience book answers many questions readers probably have never thought about these charismatic insects. Davies and Butler have produced a work about butterflies (and moths) that offers more than mere trivia. ... it is a useful addition to the 'insect-answers' literature. Recommended."

Choice

"Finally we have a well organized, clearly written reference with answers to almost every conceivable question that anyone might imagine concerning butterflies and moths. This volume is perfect for anyone fascinated by the seemingly endless mysteries of the natural world."

National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution - Don R. Davis

This volume is a welcome addition to the libraries of butterfly watchers, collectors, and hobbyists.

Former Executive Director, International Association of Butterfly Exhibitions - Michael Weissmann

"This mixed-audience book answers many questions readers probably have never thought about these charismatic insects. Davies and Butler have produced a work about butterflies (and moths) that offers more than mere trivia. ... it is a useful addition to the 'insect-answers' literature. Recommended."

From the Publisher