Key Butterfly Terms ­ – Learn the Lingo

As you begin to learn more about butterflies, here are some common words that you may come across.

Metamorphosis (met·a·mor·pho·sis)

Butterflies go through a complete metamorphosis or change in body form. They begin life as a caterpillar and later turn into a butterfly, looking very little – if anything – like the original caterpillar it started off as

Pupa (pu·pa)

Also known as a chrysalis. The pupa is a protective shell that the caterpillar makes when the caterpillar is finally done growing. It seems as though it’s an inactive state, but a lot of changes are happening inside the pupa as the caterpillar is quite busy turning itself into a butterfly. The pupa often attaches to a leaf or nearby leaf branch

Chrysalis (chrys·a·lis)

Also known as a pupa. The chrysalis is a protective shell that the caterpillar makes when the caterpillar is finally done growing. It seems as though it’s an inactive state, but a lot of changes are happening inside the chrysalis as the caterpillar is quite busy turning itself into a butterfly. The chrysalis often attaches to a leaf or nearby leaf branch

Larva (lar·va)

The larva, also known as a caterpillar, spends its time eating and growing. The caterpillars feed on their host plants

Molting (molt·ing)

As caterpillars grow, they shed their outer layer (exoskeleton) which supports and protects their body. This process is called molting

Instar (in·star)

Caterpillars go through 5 stages of growth. Each stage is called an “instar.” As a caterpillar grows, it “molts” 5 times before it becomes a chrysalis. Each time it molts the caterpillar progresses to the next instar

Proboscis (pro·bos·cis)

This tube-like feeding structure of the butterfly (the proboscis is like a long straw) remains coiled tightly against the butterfly’s head during rest. When the butterfly moves to feed upon the nectar of a flower, the proboscis extends downward into the flower’s center

Pollination (pol·li·na·tion)

Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another of the same type, which produces seeds for new plants. This is important to plants survival, including crops we depend on for food like fruits and nuts. Some plants are pollinated by wind or water. Most are pollinated by an insect such as a bee or butterfly

Wingspan (wing·span)

Wingspan is the distance measured across a butterfly’s wings

Camouflage (cam·ou·flage)

Butterflies camouflage or blend into their surroundings by having a wing color, pattern, or texture similar to that which occurs in nature. For a butterfly, this can include blending into rocks, soil, tree trunks, and branches and foliage

Disguise  (dis·guise)

Disguise describes a butterfly that has a similar appearance to another natural object, such as a leaf or flower

Species (spe·cies)

Butterflies of the same type or very similar to each other and are capable of mating (to make more butterflies)

Imperiled (im·per·iled)

Butterflies whose survival is in danger and being threatened are called “imperiled”

Nectar (nec·tar)

Nectar is a sugary fluid produced or secreted by plants, especially within flowers, that attracts and feeds butterflies

Host Plants

These plants provide a site for the butterfly to lay eggs and also are the food source for the emerging caterpillars

Native Plants

A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a region without being introduced by humans. Native plants have adapted to the Florida climate and soils. Butterflies prefer native plants because they evolved with these plants. Non-native plants may not provide pollinators with enough nectar or pollen, or caterpillars may not eat them. They also might require more maintenance which can harm eggs and caterpillars as well

Pesticides (pes·ti·cides)

These chemicals are designed to control unwanted bugs. HOWEVER, these chemicals rarely distinguish between the majority of insects, like butterflies, that are helpful and those that are harmful which is why they shouldn’t be widely used

Herbicides (herb·i·cides)

These chemicals are used to get rid of unwanted plants or weeds. BUT, these very same weeds and plants that are being destroyed are often an important shelter for eggs and food source for caterpillars. Milkweed for Monarch caterpillars is the most common example of a plant that is being destroyed by herbicides and therefore significantly harming Monarch butterfly counts

Vivarium (vi·var·i·um)

An enclosed area for observation and/or research

Ecosystem (ec·o·sys·tem)

An ecosystem is a community of living things that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment. Butterflies are important part of ecosystems as they interact with predators and prey as well as the plants that they feed upon