Protein-eating Butterflies
All living organisms need proteins that provide building blocks for cells and are crucial for the body’s healthy growth and development. Did you know that protein-eating butterflies exist? Most butterflies build their own proteins from amino acids (components of protein) they get from nectar. However, there are other species of butterflies that require much more proteins […]
Friday Fun Fact – Blue Tiger Butterfly
A new species we are introducing over the coming weeks is the Blue Tiger Butterfly –Tirumala Hamata. The butterflies of this group (subfamily Danianae) are the longest lived of all species. They feed mostly on toxic plants, fly slowly and spend long periods resting in sheltered areas during winter. Their pupa is fresh green and […]
Butterfly Camouflage – is it a leaf or a butterfly?
Butterfly Camouflage – is it a leaf or a butterfly? Sometimes it’s hard to tell! Butterflies have a range of tricks up their sleeve (wing?) to hide from predators. Sometimes they simply hide under leaves, but that’s not always practical and they are forced to hide in more open areas. In this instance, they will […]
Can butterflies hear?
Can butterflies hear? It has been long assumed that they can’t; in fact, many associations and charities for deaf and hearing impaired people use the butterfly as their symbol for this reason. Some, however, can hear! Many Nymphalidae butterflies have ears and scientists have confirmed hearing in several species using neuroanatomical and neurophysiological methods. Ears are mostly […]
Greater Wax Moth
The greater wax moth has the best hearing of any animal in the world – a discovery which has the potential to revolutionise microphone technology in everything from mobile phones to hearing aids. Researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow have just discovered that the insect is capable of hearing sound frequencies of up […]
Legend of the Silk Moth
There are many legends in China about the discovery of silk and the silk moth. One is about the Empress Lei Zu, wife of the Yellow Emperor. She was drinking tea under a tree when a cocoon fell into her cup. When she picked it out of the tea she found the end of a […]
The Battle for Life
It’s a dangerous world out there for butterflies and their battle for life. From the time an egg is laid it is in danger, eggs are a succulent morsel for small predators like mites, ants and spiders. Microscopic wasps will lay their egg inside a butterfly egg, then the wasp larvae will hatch out inside […]
Friday Fun Fact – Red Lacewing
The only true predominantly red butterfly in Australia is the Red Lacewing (cethosia cydippe). Have you seen them? They are very striking! One feature that is quite amazing is that their host plant (Adenia heterophylla) produces pods that are also a rich red colour. Coincidence? Thanks to Tanya for this week’s Friday Fun Fact!
Friday Fun Fact – Cruiser Butterflies (vindula arsinoe)
Cruiser butterflies have lots of personality! As caterpillars they are very fast and frisky, and lab staff often have to chase after them during feeding time as they like to wander. One interesting trait they have that distinguishes them from our other species is the tendency for female Cruisers to lay their eggs on […]
Friday Fun Fact – Osmeterium
The Osmeterium is a defence mechanism that all Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars have. Swallowtails are the big butterflies like Cairns Birdwings, Orchards and Ulysses. The osmeterium is an organ above the head of the caterpillar in the first body segment. If the caterpillar feels threatened, two bright red or orange horns pop out, as well as […]