Country Life Creatures Animal Charm Page

Butterflies

Butterflies are insects. They have two antennae on top of their heads, which they use to feel, smell and to hear. Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet. They have four unique brightly coloured wings. . The wings of the butterfly are made of hard tubes covered with thin tissue. The wings are covered with scales, which are like a fine dust. The scales form bright colours which also act as a deterrent to predators eating them. The scales may also form patterns that help the butterflies to blend into their background to escape predators. Most butterflies feed on nectar from flowers. A butterfly’s mouth is a long tube, through which it sucks the sweet nectar. Butterflies can only feed or fly when their bodies are warmed to at least 30° C, and they have to gain this from the sunshine using their wings. Butterflies are often seen basking with their wings open wide, as they gain heat.

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