Soon, the Warm, Sunny Days of Summer Will Arrive

This means more time outdoors, playing in parks with friends, engaging in outdoor sports, and perhaps even exploring nature.

If you’re fortunate, you might spot a butterfly or two, either in the wild or at a butterfly conservatory. Time to refresh your butterfly facts!

The Butterfly’s Name Originates from Its Droppings

The greta oto, or glasswing butterfly.

Believe it or not! Long ago, Dutch researchers studying butterflies examined their droppings — which are officially called frass.

They noticed the droppings bore a strong resemblance to butter. This observation inspired the name “butterfly.”

Another theory suggests a different origin. In ancient times, it was believed witches transformed into butterflies and flew off in search of food, particularly butter.

Butterflies Secure Their Eggs with Natural Glue

An egg of the mallow skipper butterfly.

Female butterflies produce a unique adhesive fluid that acts as glue. They use this substance to attach their eggs to plants, ensuring the eggs remain securely in place. Removing them could damage or destroy the eggs.

Although butterflies do not care for their offspring after laying eggs, they carefully select plants that will provide ample nourishment for their caterpillars once hatched.

Butterflies Taste Using Their Feet

A butterfly uses its proboscis to feed on orange juice.

While it may seem odd to us, butterflies rely on their feet to identify food.

Taste sensors located on their feet allow butterflies to locate appropriate food sources for their caterpillars. They land on a plant, “taste” it, and determine whether it’s suitable for laying eggs.

As for their diet, butterflies can’t chew or bite. They use a long, tube-like tongue known as a proboscis (pronounced "pro-boss-suhs") to sip liquids such as nectar, sap, or juice from decaying fruit.

Butterflies Gather Around Puddles in Groups

A group of common blue butterflies forms a puddle club.

Welcome to the club! In some warm climates, male butterflies often gather around mud puddles. These groups, known as “puddle clubs,” congregate to drink the minerals found in wet soil or puddles.

Around 165,000 Species of Butterflies Exist

That’s a staggering number! These species vary widely. Some, like the western pygmy blue, are as small as a centimetre.

Others, such as the Queen Alexandra butterfly, can measure up to the size of a dinner plate with their wings fully extended!

Butterflies also exhibit a stunning array of colours. Some have transparent wings, like the glass-winged butterfly. While most flutter gently, the skipper butterfly flies faster than a galloping horse. What a fascinating family!

Where to Spot Butterflies

Eager to catch a glimpse of butterflies? You might see them in nature, especially if you’re walking in the wild or have butterfly-friendly plants in your garden.

Alternatively, you can visit butterfly conservatories specifically designed for these creatures. Here are some notable locations:

Victoria Butterfly Gardens — Victoria, British ColumbiaExperience a tropical rainforest setup and observe over 75 butterfly species as they fly, feed, and lay eggs.

Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden — Winnipeg, ManitobaThis exhibit, open from late spring to early fall, showcases local species in flight. It’s undergoing an exciting transformation.

Butterfly Conservatory — Niagara Falls, OntarioHome to over 2,000 butterflies and 45 species, this conservatory allows visitors to watch butterflies emerge from cocoons and take their maiden flights.

Montreal Botanical Garden — Montreal, QuebecDuring winter, the “Butterflies Go Free” exhibit releases over 2,000 butterflies and moths into the greenhouses, creating a mesmerizing display.

Butterfly House — New Glasgow, PEIFrom June to September, visitors can see tropical butterflies from Costa Rica up close.