The female determines if
a leaf is appropriate by sensing the taste of the leaf with her feet
. Laying Eggs: Most butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of a leaf (or under a plant). This way, when the eggs hatch into tiny caterpillars (larvae), their food is all around them and they can start eating immediately.
Why did the egg need to be on a leaf?
Normally, the eggs are attached to the underside of a
leaf so they are kept safe from predators
. A big portion of these eggs will not hatch to become butterflies as they are vulnerable to many predators such as birds, spiders, other insects and small mammals.
Why does butterfly lay its egg on the leaf?
Egg is the first stage of the life cycle. Most butterfly caterpillars eat only one or a few species of plants. … Some butterflies lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves,
to avoid direct sunlight and drying of the eggs
, and can avoid rainwater washing away the eggs.
Where do butterflies lay their eggs and why?
Usually the female butterfly lays her eggs
on the host plant of the caterpillar
. This is essential for the tiny caterpillars when they hatch from their eggs; they are very small and their mobility is relatively limited. Feeding very soon after hatching is important for survival.
Where do butterfly lay eggs?
Where do butterflies lay their eggs? Most butterflies lay their eggs on
plants
that will be eaten by the caterpillar, when it hatches. Some species lay their eggs on the tops of leafs, some on the bottom, some at the leaf axils, some on flowers, and some on stalks.
What are 3 interesting facts about butterflies?
- Butterfly wings are transparent. …
- There are almost 20,000 butterfly species. …
- Butterflies use their feet to taste. …
- Butterflies only live for a few weeks. …
- The most common butterfly in the US is the Cabbage White. …
- Some butterfly species migrate from the cold.
What plant do butterflies lay eggs on?
After mating, female butterflies search for a specific kind of “host plant” on which to lay eggs. For example, monarchs lay eggs on
milkweed
, black swallowtails on parsley, and tiger swallowtails on tulip tree or wild cherry. In a few days, caterpillars emerge from the eggs and begin to eat.
Who lays eggs caterpillar or butterfly?
Eggs are laid on plants by
the adult female butterfly
. These plants will then become the food for the hatching caterpillars. Eggs can be laid from spring, summer or fall.
How long does it take for a butterfly to turn into an egg?
Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, in which there are four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. Monarch development from egg to adult is completed in
about 30 days
.
How long does it take for caterpillar to turn into egg?
They hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae. It takes
about four days
for the eggs to hatch. Then the baby caterpillar doesn’t do much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow.
Where do female butterflies lay their eggs?
Some butterflies lay a single egg, while others may lay their eggs in clusters. A sticky substance produced by the female enables the eggs to stick where ever she lays them,
either on the underside of a leaf or on a stem
.
Are any butterfly eggs black?
If you are close enough you can actually see the butterfly curl their abdomen down to the leaf. As seen in these egg photos, many eggs start out light colored like an off-white to a yellow color then change to a
dark color or black before the
caterpillar comes out.
Do butterflies poop?
Adult butterflies do not urinate or defecate
(or “go to the bathroom”). The larval life stage – the caterpillar – does all of the eating, and caterpillars almost continually defecate. Interestingly, when there enough caterpillars eating in the same place, their defecation is audible. That is, you can hear the poop!
What can I feed a butterfly?
- Gatorade (but not red – it stains)
- Juicy Juice.
- Monarch Watch artificial nectar.
- Fresh cut fruits such as watermelons, cantaloupes, and grapes.
- Honey water – 1pt honey and 9 pts water.
Who eats a butterfly?
There are a variety of predators that like to chow down on a butterfly like
birds, snakes, lizards, rats, and monkeys
. Also, there are other insects that attack butterflies such as wasps, ants, and parasitic flies.
Which butterfly stage eats the fastest?
Caterpillar
. This is the main feeding stage of the butterfly. Caterpillars eat almost constantly and grow very quickly, at an astonishing rate.
