Butterflies

“Common name of any lepidopterous insect active in daylight, Old English buttorfleoge, evidently butter (n.) + fly (n.), but the name is of obscure signification. Perhaps based on the old notion that the insects (or, according to Grimm, witches disguised as butterflies) consume butter or milk that is left uncovered. Or, less creatively, simply because the pale yellow color of many species’ wings suggests the color of butter. Another theory connects it to the color of the insect’s excrement, based on Dutch cognate boterschijte. Also see papillon.”This theory led the people to believe a butterfly is a witch in disguise.

What does a butterfly symbolize?

The butterfly has been a symbol of transformation, hope and faith for thousands of years. The butterfly is also a symbol of rebirth, since it goes through so many life cycles — from larva to caterpillar to chrysalis and finally to a beautiful, flying butterfly.

non-fiction

Fun facts about butterflies!!!!!~

1. Butterfly wings are transparent.  The wings of a butterfly are covered in a multitude of miniature scales  –thousands of them. And those colors you see when a butterfly flits across your yard are the reflection of various colors through the scales. The wings themselves are made up of a protein called chitin, which is the same protein that forms an insect’s exoskeleton. And much like an exoskeleton, chitin is transparent.Therefore the wings of a butterfly is its exoskeleton and can cause harm to butterflies when damaged.

2.Butterflies use their feet to taste. A butterfly’s daily activities consist of eating and mating, both of which require landing – even if it is only briefly. When food is the priority, those taste receptors help the butterfly locate the right plants and the key nutrients it needs for survival. Although many people wonder what it means when a butterfly lands on them, the truth is that it’s probably just hungry.So don’t get eaten by a butterfly!!!!!!!!

3.Butterfly wings help them against predators.
Staying alive for as long as possible allows the butterfly additional opportunities to mate, and continuing the existence of its species is very important. Therefore, butterflies frequently use their wings as a defense mechanism. Either by folding to blend in with their surroundings, or wearing a full spectrum of colors and patterns to frighten predators, a butterfly’s wings are often their best protection. 

4.Butterflies have a liquid diet. Butterflies simply don’t have the necessary apparatus for chewing. Using their proboscis, which functions in the same way you or I might use a straw, butterflies drink nectar or some other variation of liquid sustenance. 

One beautiful afternoon Carleigh decided to go down the stream behind her home.Only to find a beautiful meadow filled with luscious and mesmerising flowers,cute and cuddly bunnies,and lovely green grass.But the flowers and animals were not doing so good.Yet he noticed something. And yet so many creatures but only one butterfly.Only one orange and black butterfly.Only one.

She was so invested she decided to follow it.The butterfly soured through the air swerving between each and every branch making it difficult for Carleigh to follow it.Once the butterfly came cross a cave it stopped.Carleigh was still catching her breath from the marathon she just ran,when the butterfly flew into the cave.The butterfly shined so bright you can compare it to the sun.In carleigh sight she can see a a big and beautiful tree glowing just like the stars.The butterfly stopped and started to transform into a beautiful woman of color and beauty.¨ Thank you for following me¨ said the woman.¨ Why did you bring me here??¨ Carleigh exclaimed.¨ you are the only person to ever notice me.The only person who ever cared..Only my people cared..¨ ¨ Only your people??¨ Carleigh questioned.¨ yes this meadow was once our beautiful land.Our home.Until the Humans came and wiped us out.I was the last one to stand.To survive.¨ ¨ Without butterflies..no one could keep the plants and animals happy.¨ ¨ Yes¨” ¨ I have to go i will be back.¨

Carleigh ran and ran to the locals to tell this sad story all of them feel awful and some didn’t believe her but most did.They all contributed to help bring the meadow back to life.And few days later the meadow was as good as new.Soon all the flowers bloomed and the animals were happy and playful.Then a cloud arose and a kaleidoscope of butterflies came and pollinated the flowers.The woman thanked and thanked all the people for their kindness.”what is your name may i ask??”Carleigh asked.”Vanessa”and the woman disappeared.

-cause and effect-

Butterflies are found on every continent but Antartica. The U. S. alone is home to about 700 different species of this beautiful and loved insect. Butterflies play a number of roles in the ecosystem. They act as pollinators and food sources for other species, acting as an important connectors in a thriving ecosystem web.

¨ ¨ Nearly 90 percent of all plants need a pollinator to reproduce, and as bee populations drop, the role of the butterfly becomes even more vital. Without these wonderful insects, many plant species would then be unable to reproduce and their populations would dramatically decrease without the butterfly’s presence. We would see this effect in a number of plant species, including wildflowers we have grown to love. This loss of plant life would affect both animals and humans.¨ This is just one reason why butterflies are very important to the environment; pants rely mainly on the butterflies to pollinate them so they can reproduce and produce more seeds and create food.Butterflies also provide assistance for genetic variation in the plant species that they collect nectar from. Many species of butterflies migrate over long distances, which allows pollen to be shared across groups of plants that are far apart from one another. This helps plants to be more resilient against disease and gives them a better chance at survival.

Butterflies not only help the producers but they also help the consumers.They provide a hearty meal for animals,including birds and mice.As butterfly populations decrease, so will populations of birds and other animals that rely on them as a food source. This loss of the butterfly is the beginning of the “butterfly effect.”As the butterflies decrease it will continue to affect the ecosystem in a very harmful way. ¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
¨ Nearly two-thirds of all invertebrates can be connected back to the butterfly on the food chain. The loss of this seemingly insignificant insect could potentially collapse entire ecosystems that rely so heavily on them.¨

Can we live without butterflies??Would we survive??

Bees, butterflies and beetles pollinate plants, and provide a critical protein source for species up the food chain. The United States Forest Service puts it simply: “Without pollinators, the human race and all of earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.”