Butterflies are among the most popular and popular invertebrates in the world. The delicate shape of the butterfly and the diversity of colors that its wings can have make this insect an extremely striking and curious animal, both in terms of morphology and life cycle.
If you want to know the reproduction of butterflies, how butterflies are born, discover how they live and know their metamorphosis, continue reading this article by Animal Expert. We will explain in detail all these aspects of butterfly reproduction.
- Before explaining in detail how the butterfly cycle occurs.
- It should be noted that they are part of invertebrate animals.
- More precisely.
- Of the order of lepidoptera.
- Although the best known species are daytime.
- Most butterflies are nocturnal animals.
- Daytime animals are called Rhopalocera and nocturnal animals are called Heterocera.
Among the curiosities about butterflies is his oral apparatus because it has a very thin horn that curls and unfolds. Thanks to this mechanism, adult butterflies are able to release nectar from flowers, their main food. During this process, they also act as pollinating animals. In the early stages of life, however, these insects feed on leaves, fruits, flowers, roots and stems.
They can be found all over the world, as some species can survive even in polar areas. Most prefer warmer areas with abundant vegetation. Some, such as the monarch butterfly, migrate to different regions during the winter to complete the breeding cycle.
Butterfly metamorphosis is one of the main curiosities, as the reproductive and birth cycle follows specific stages. Read on and learn more about butterfly breeding.
The life expectancy of a butterfly varies by species. Some survive only a few weeks, while others survive a year. In addition, factors such as weather conditions and the amount of food are critical to survival.
The body of the butterflies is divided into three parts, the head, chest and abdomen. The head has two antennae, while on the chest there are six legs and two wings. Vital organs, including the reproductive system, are in the abdomen. Males and females have a sexual dimorphism, which is more important in males. It is also possible to observe color differences between the two.
The butterfly cycle begins with the breeding process, consisting of two stages, courtship and mating.
To know how butterflies are born, it is important to note that procession is a crucial step. Males perform reconnaissance flights to look for females, attract attention through pirouettes, spread pheromones. Similarly, females respond to the call by releasing their own pheromones, which males are able to perceive miles away.
Some males, instead of looking for them, rest under leaves or trees and begin to release their pheromones to attract potential partners. When the female is spotted, the male flaps her wings to impregnate her antennae on the small scales she releases. These scales contain pheromones and help the female be ready for mating.
The next step in butterfly reproduction is mating. The two butterflies join the ends of the abdomen, each facing in a different direction, so that the exchange of gametes occurs.
The male inserts his reproductive organ into the female’s abdomen and releases a sac called spermatophorus, from which it contains sperm. The opening of the female receives the pouch and fertilizes the eggs, which are inside the body.
In most species, mating takes place in a place where specimens can remain static, such as a rock or leaf. During the process, butterflies are vulnerable to attacks by predators, so some develop the ability to mate by flying. These are the basic processes for understanding how butterflies reproduce.
The next step in the butterfly cycle is the metamorphosis that occurs from the moment the female releases the eggs. Depending on the species, we’re talking about 25 and 10, 000 eggs. The eggs are laid on the leaves, stems, fruits and branches of different plants, each type of butterfly uses a specific plant species, which contains the nutrients necessary to develop the specimen at different stages.
Apesar da quantidade de ovos depositados pelas fêmeas, apenas 2% chega a idade adulta. A maioria é devorada por predadores ou morre devido aos efeitos climáticos, como fortes ventos, chuva e etc. A metamorfose das borboletas segue as seguintes etapas:
Now that you know how butterflies were born, you have to wonder how long it will take them to get out of the chrysalis. It is not possible to offer a certain number of days as this process varies by species, the possibility that everyone has to feed during the larval stage and climatic conditions.
For example, if they are at low temperatures, butterflies stay longer in the chrysalis, waiting for the sun to arrive. Although they appear to be isolated, they actually perceive temperature changes on the outside. Generally, the minimum time during which a larva remains in a chrysalis is between 12 and 14 days, however, it can be extended to two months if conditions are not good for survival.
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