Butterflies

Papilionoidea

Butterfly

Afrikaans:Skoenlapper

Xhosa: Ibhabhatane

A butterfly is an insect that flies mainly during the day, of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other 'totally metamorphing' (holometabulous) insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal*. 
With large, often brightly coloured, scaled wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight, they are a fascinating member of the community. 



Butterflies comprise the true butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea), the skippers (superfamily Hesperioidea) and the moth-butterflies (superfamily Hedyloidea). All the many other families within the Lepidoptera are referred to as moths. 
Butterflies exhibit mimicry and warning colouration (aposematism). Some, like the Monarch, will migrate over long distances, while others have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects, such as ants. Certain species are considered to be pests because, in their larval stages, they can damage domestic crops or trees; however, some species are agents of pollination of specific plants, and caterpillars of a few butterflies (e.g. Harvesters) eat harmful insects. 

The earliest known butterfly fossils date to between 40–130 million years ago (depending on which books you read). Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts.

What to look for...in a true Butterfly

Members of the Papilionoidea may be distinguished by the following combination of characters:

• the body is smaller and less moth-like.
• the wings are larger.
• the antennae are straight and clubbed (rather than hooked as in the skippers).
• the caterpillars do not spin cocoons to pupate in.
• the pupae are angular rather than rounded.

The butterfly photographed above, was one of several that descended on the over-ripe grapes set out in the garden. A 'full-frontal' photograph was just not possible, as the subjects kept turning away from the lens, offering only a close up side-view - almost as if they were shy. The 'leaf-looking' butterfly below, is a good example of it's ability to mimic; one of the behavioural defences it uses in order to camouflage itself from predators. These mimetic forms are usually restricted to the females.

A not so common fact regarding flight, is that butterflies cannot fly when their body temperature is above 86 degrees (Fahrenheit). A butterfly's hind wings are thought to allow them to take swift, tight turns to evade predators. The fastest butterfly (some Skippers) can fly faster than 30mph. Butterflies have also been shown to navigate using time compensated sun compasses. They can see polarized light and therefore orient even in cloudy conditions.

* diurnal - being active during the day and sleeping at night

Sources:

Wikipedia

http://www.thebutterflysite.com/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/