Butterflies have existed in the world for centuries. With their many varieties, we think of their beauty but also their short lifespan. However, there are a lot of interesting facts about butterflies that we do not know. 

There are approximately 150.000 species of butterflies known in the world. More than 100 types of butterflies live in Macedonia. Of the 77 species of butterflies in Matka, the most famous type is White Butterfly. Butterflies go through a process we call metamorphosis. First process for the butterfly is the egg. The second stage is when it becomes a larva, that is, a caterpillar. The third stage is the pupal. The last to come is adulthood. Cocoons form on leaves as it is a food source for the caterpillar in the pupal stage. Pupal period may vary. For some species it takes two hours, while for others it can take one or two years. The adult butterfly can meet its food needs from leaves, flower nectar and various liquids. Butterflies do not have mouths, they have two tubes that look like proboscis. They feed by grinding leaves into small pieces with the help of their jaws. Since they get all the vitamins they need from food, they do not need to drink water.

There is still a lot we don’t know about butterflies. Some species that we know as short-lived actually live for several years. The wings of these small-looking butterflies are very strong and some can fly up to 5000 km away. Butterflies that can see ultraviolet rays can see the UV patterns on their wings and distinguish their species. They need to emit a scent to mate, so males and females have different scents. Contrary to popular belief, females either have no scent or smell bad, thus avoiding being hunted. Their sense of taste is in their feet. They check the food with their feet before taking it. Some hairy-winged butterflies use ants to care for baby caterpillars, thanks to the butterflies they secrete. Ants that cannot resist chemicals protect the caterpillars they take to their nests by feeding them. Even when butterflies become adults, they continue to consume the food of ants. Some butterflies can grow up to 25 cm. There is an organ called the false head right next to their wings, they use it to avoid being hunted. Another way to avoid being hunted is to use the poison they absorb from plants. For example, monarch butterflies use milkweed toxins to reduce their own palatability. When swallowtail butterflies perceive a threat, they put out their snake tongue-like organs, which have a pungent odor, thus providing a strong defense.

There are many types of butterflies that can live in different conditions all over the world. Contrary to general information, they all have rare features. If we talk about the endemic species found in the world, the black-veined white butterfly species, which was known to have become extinct 100 years ago in England, has been observed again today. The butterfly, known as Rose’s multi-eyed butterfly, can only fly in Van due to the climatic conditions. The largest butterfly in the world is the Atlas butterfly, and the smallest butterfly is Tongeia Minima.

We just opened a book full of wonders with random yet interesting facts about butterflies. How much did you know and what can you add? It seems like there are as many answers as there are butterflies in the whole planet.

Menşure Zeynep Koçak

Sources:

https://kulturveyasam.com/kelebekler-hakkinda-bilmediklerimiz

https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cjqz912z572o

https://www.akittv.com.tr/foto-galeri/29-sadece-vanda-ucabilen-nadir-kelebek-rose

https://ecotours.hu/home/butterflies/118-wildlife/butterflies/eastern-europe/macedonia/167-macedonia