A Little Bit More
As of the writing of this unit, scientists don’t fully understand the function of puddling but it does appear that there are chemical ingredients that are essential for some butterfly species before they can reproduce. Research has shown that sodium is probably one of the most important ingredients but other chemicals are important too. Although mud puddles, urine, and feces seem to be the most common attractants, even carrion may be used by male butterflies; some species are attracted to specific substances while others are more generalists. Butterfly houses that raise and/or show captive butterflies regularly make a point to have suitable “puddle sites” available for their males if they hope for reproduction to occur. Seeing this behavior in the wild is not all that uncommon and you yourself may remember a time when you saw butterflies puddling.
Those butterflies that participate in this behavior are the newly emerged males; females and older males do not puddle. Apparently, only those species that patrol territories, like the sulphurs and swallowtails, are the ones that puddle. It’s interesting that what probably appears to be a straight-forward behavior is not all that clear to entomologists.
Activities
Science & Art – Color Me Beautiful
Objectives: Gain familiarity with a local butterfly
Materials: Printout of illustration, insect field guide, and coloring materials
No matter where you live in North America, there should be beautiful butterflies active there in the warm months. This is an opportunity for you to zero in on one of your local species so you’re more familiar with its appearance and life history.
1. Print out the illustration we’ve provided (this is a generic butterfly so “your” butterfly may not look exactly like this one)
2. Use an insect field guide or go online to find out which species of butterflies are found where you live and choose one to illustrate and learn about
3. Using the illustrations/photos you find, color in the ink line illustration as accurately as possible. Be sure too to include size, food preferences of the caterpillar, whether male and female are different, and any other information you feel is interesting to share about your butterfly
4. These illustrations can now be shared with others and should help all students identify some of their local butterflies.
Depending on the time of year, you may want to take the class outside to look for butterflies and see whether you can identify one or more that you see. Just knowing a couple of species will make your outside butterfly visit even more enjoyable.
Key Concepts
Structures and Functions, Reproduction, Life Cycles, Behavior and Regulation, Adaptations and Diversity
Questions
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