Butterfly lemongrass - the first spring insect. Lemon Butterfly. Lifestyle and habitat of lemongrass butterfly Butterfly lemongrass meaning in nature

Bright fluttering butterflies can leave few people indifferent. Smoothly circling over the flower meadow, they fascinate with their beauty and deeply touch the strings of the human soul. In addition to beauty, these unusual insects are interesting for their behavior and life features. In the article we will share with readers unusual stories from the life of butterflies. In our material, we have collected a variety of interesting facts about butterflies. Such information will be especially informative for younger schoolchildren and toddlers. Information can be used in the classroom or simply told to children in order to expand knowledge about the world around little researchers.

Who are butterflies?

Butterflies are Lepidoptera insects. This means that on their wings there are many small scales, which, by refracting sunlight at different angles, form a characteristic pattern.

Often children confuse scales with pollen. They are trying to shake off, to clean the wings of an insect. In fact, this is by no means the case. remember, she will not be able to fly and will die.

But in nature there are also butterflies without wings. These are species such as the steppe and common volyanka. They live in a cocoon and feed on what they managed to stock up with caterpillars.

There are also butterflies that can dive. These are insects such as underwater moths. Interesting facts about butterflies for children in grade 2 can be used in nature studies lessons. It will still be difficult for preschoolers to understand the physiology of insects. But it is possible and necessary to teach kids to take care of nature at any age.

Butterflies have three pairs of legs and a long proboscis, which, if necessary, turns into a full-fledged organ of nutrition. These Lepidoptera are plant pollinators, just like bees. Also, they never sleep. Some attract attention with their unusual bright color, while others, on the contrary, are masked. So, for example, the lemongrass butterfly looks like a leaf. Interesting facts about this beauty can be found below.

Butterflies live all over the world except Antarctica. But the life span of these insects is short: from a few days to six months, depending on the species.

The science that studies butterflies is called lepidopterology.

What do butterflies eat?

Depending on the species, insects can feed on flower nectar, sap from trees, and rotten fruit. Some prefer tears and animal droppings. In a certain period, do not mind eating mud, thanks to which you can stock up on minerals. A butterfly of the Calyptra species feeds on the blood of cattle. In addition, some subspecies can suck and drink blood from an open wound, while others are even able to independently pierce the skin with a sharp proboscis.

These interesting facts about butterflies can be presented in a playful way even to the youngest children.

The magic of birth

Until now, not a single scientist has been able to explain all the metamorphoses that occur in Interesting facts about butterflies can be told by telling about the stages of the appearance of such an unusual insect. So, a butterfly goes through several stages of formation: egg - caterpillar (larva) - pupa - adult.

The sexually mature female lays eggs most often on the leaves of trees. Some species protect their offspring by burying their eggs in the ground, others cover them with their own scales, and others have the ability to produce special mucus.

Depending on the type of insect and external factors, caterpillar eggs can hatch within a few days or months. This period is characterized by the fact that the insect actively feeds, stocking up with the necessary substances.

In the process of molting, morphological changes occur - the insect turns into a chrysalis. Butterflies protect their peace in different ways: some weave cocoons from a silk thread that they themselves produce, others build a “house” from grains of sand and earth, and still others from their own cuticle.

Fluttering beauties are born with unspread wet wings. Therefore, at the time of hatching from the chrysalis, it is extremely important for butterflies to have a support in the form of a twig - clasping it with their paws, insects dry and spread their wings. Then they can safely make their first flight.

We recommend bringing such interesting facts about butterflies for children when walking in the spring in the park or in the summer cottage. And you can consolidate theoretical knowledge by observing the development of an insect from a larva to an adult butterfly on walks.

Butterflies in mythology

Interesting facts about butterflies, their origin and people's attitude to these insects can be found by getting acquainted with archaeological artifacts. Butterflies are the most ancient insects. Excavations have unearthed remains that are 150 million years old. There are about 160,000 species of these unusual representatives of the fauna.

In ancient times, butterflies, like everything mysterious and unsolved, were both admired and feared at the same time. An unusual insect provoked hoax and deification of such a creature.

During excavations, frescoes of the ancient Egyptians were found, which depict butterflies. In those days, people identified human life with this insect.

For some peoples, a butterfly is a harbinger of happiness, joy, love. Others believe that the fluttering insect is the souls of dead people, the embodiment of demons and witches.

In ancient Greek myths, butterflies are found in the role of Psyche - a girl who personifies the human soul, and the Scandinavian peoples came up with elves - kind little men with butterfly wings. In India, the butterfly was considered the progenitor of the whole world. And the Buddha devoted a whole sermon to this insect. In many beliefs, the butterfly represents rebirth and immortality.

Such interesting facts from the life of butterflies will interest not only children, but also adults.

Folk omens

According to the behavior of butterflies, people predict the weather. So, if the hives hid, it will soon rain. In rainy weather it flies - to be warm.

If butterflies flutter over a person - good news, happiness.

A butterfly flew into the window - not good, you definitely need to release the insect into the wild.

Traditions

Today you will not surprise guests with a salute of butterflies at a wedding or anniversary. It turns out that not one hundred years! She originated in Japan. The lightness and charm of insects were compared with the art of a geisha. Therefore, butterflies at the wedding were considered a wish for the bride to comprehend female wisdom. And a pair of butterflies symbolized a strong marriage. These interesting facts about butterflies have long been noted by modern wedding organizers, offering young people to decorate the holiday with live and artificial butterflies.

Modern Chinese weddings cannot do without the butterfly symbol: before the wedding, the groom gives the bride an ornament in the form of this insect as a symbol of love and care.

Butterflies were specially bred even at the court of Louis XIV. In the winter garden of the king one could meet insects of various colors and types.

record holders

The most interesting facts about record-breaking butterflies:

1. The largest representative of the species is Tisania agrippina. Its wingspan is almost 31 cm. A little less than the Birdwing. Its dimensions reach 28 cm.
2. The smallest is the Malyutka mole. Its open wings are 2 mm long.
3. The longest proboscis is in Brazhnikov. In a species that lives in Madagascar, the length of this organ is 28 cm.
4. The most common butterfly in the world is the Vanessa Cardi butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.
5. The loudest squeak is the disturbed Dead Head of the Moth family.
6. The sense of smell in Peacock-Eyes is acutely developed. They catch the smell at a distance of 10 km.
7. The Moths fly the fastest of all.
8. The heaviest representative of butterflies is Boisduval.

Lemon Butterfly: Interesting Facts

In our latitudes, you can find lemongrass, belonging to the White family. It is very difficult to notice in the foliage, as the color resembles a tree leaf. You can often see how children are surprised at the unusual flight of the "leaf". This color is a protective disguise.

Another interesting feature of Lemongrass is the fact that it never lands with its wings open. If you disturb the butterfly, it will fold its wings and legs, and then fall down, thus disguising itself as a twig or fallen leaf. She is a long-liver, as she can live for more than a year.

We have told you just some interesting facts about butterflies. It is important for children to learn that butterflies are extraordinary creatures. Each species has its own characteristics and inexplicable abilities. They captivate and inspire. It should be emphasized that it is impossible to destroy such beautiful creatures for fun or a fleeting hobby. From a very early age, adults should explain to kids the importance of such a small creature as a butterfly in the world around them.

At the end of March, as soon as stable sunny weather sets in, you can find a beautiful spot of sunshine fluttering between the first spring flowers. This is a butterfly buckthorn or lemongrass.

Appearance

This spring beauty is a representative of diurnal butterflies from the family of whites. It got its name because of the buckthorn (Rhamnus) plant, which caterpillars of this species actively feed on.

The wingspan of lemongrass reaches 60 mm, and the wing length is 26-33 mm. Males have a bright lemon-yellow color of the wings, females are softer - almost white with a greenish-lemon tint.

Both sexes have a small dark gray body covered with long whitish hairs.

Habitat

Buckthorn is a very common butterfly. It is found throughout almost the entire territory of Europe, up to the regions of Siberia, in the northern part of Africa, in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Asia Minor and Central Asia and throughout Eastern Europe.

Avoids dry steppe regions, deserts and northern regions of England and Scandinavia. Most often it can be found in water meadows, in mixed and coniferous forests, in glades and edges.

Life cycle

Lemongrass is a long-lived butterfly. She emerges from the chrysalis in mid-June and flies until the first frost in October.

Then for the winter period the butterfly falls asleep, and in the spring it begins to fly again. Noteworthy is the fact that lemongrass tolerates frost well and waits out the winter without much shelter, not far from the surface of the earth.

A mild winter or the absence of frost adversely affects the butterfly's body, it needs to expend a large amount of energy between sleep and wakefulness.

Such frost resistance is possible due to the fact that the body of the buckthorn contains a liquid, which is a mixture of water, proteins and salts.

In order to maintain the body during a long period of active flight, the buckthorn periodically falls into diapauses, which last for several weeks. During this time, the body rests and, waking up, the butterfly again actively feeds and flutters.

reproduction

Spring is the breeding season. Joint flights become a characteristic sign of the beginning of this period.

The female flies ahead, the male follows her, keeping a constant distance all the time. Having found a buckthorn plant, the female lays her eggs on young shoots and buds.

Schisandra scientists call the genus of butterflies, which is part of the family of whites. The closest relatives of these Lepidoptera are cabbage and turnips. In total, researchers in the world were able to detect 16 species of lemongrass.

What does a lemongrass butterfly look like?

The most common species of the genus Lemongrass is the common Lemongrass, also known as the buckthorn (Gonepteryx rhamni). All representatives of the genus are distinguished by a characteristic color: a rich yellow hue of the wings. However, only male butterflies can boast of such charm, sometimes their wings reach a bright orange tone. As for the female lemongrass, their color is light green, and sometimes completely white.

Another difference between lemongrass is small blotches that can be seen in the center of each butterfly wing. When the insect spreads its wings, their span is from 3 to 6 centimeters.

Where does lemongrass live?

The habitat of these representatives of the Lepidoptera order covers Asia Minor and Central Asia, the Caucasus region, southern Siberia, the entire territory of Europe, as well as areas of the Mediterranean and North Africa. Rare species of lemongrass live in some countries, for example: mahaguru lemongrass lives in Korea and Japan, and on the island of Madeira (located off the northwestern coast of Africa) you can find an endemic species - Madeira lemongrass.

Lifestyle of lemongrass butterfly: what is its peculiarity?

The largest concentrations of lemongrass can be seen in the meadow, as well as near thickets of shrubs and tree plantations. However, they avoid too dense forests, trying to be more open space. If lemongrass settles in mountainous areas, then the height of their habitat does not exceed 2000 meters.

According to the lifestyle of lemongrass - diurnal butterflies. In addition, they are one of the earliest representatives of Lepidoptera. In autumn, their flights can be observed until the month of October, and with the onset of spring (in March), lemongrass is already right there again.

Butterfly lemongrass nutrition

As for the nutrition of lemongrass, it is worth noting that at the caterpillar stage they are especially picky and eat only the leafy part of the plant called buckthorn (for which the butterfly got its middle name). The nutrition of adults of lemongrass is more diverse: they collect nectar from many plants.

Reproduction of buckthorn

In these butterflies during the mating season, one can observe intricate dances that males perform in order to attract a partner to themselves.

The laying of eggs in lemongrass occurs one at a time: they are glued by a butterfly to the leaves, as well as the stalks of buckthorn. The lemongrass egg has a yellow or white tint. With the onset of May, and sometimes June, lemongrass caterpillars are born. The body of the caterpillars has a smooth structure, there are no hairs on it. The caterpillar lives in its stage for about one month. Pupation takes place in July. Lemongrass wintering is experienced already in adulthood.

Signs: The length of the front wings is up to 3 cm.
The male has bright yellow wings with 4 orange-red spots, one on each wing. The color of the female is much paler, but there are spots on the wings. At a cursory glance, a flying female can be confused with one of the cabbages.

Flight location: It flies almost everywhere - in sparse forests, over heaths, in water meadows and gardens, in mountains at an altitude of up to 2000 m.

Europe. Russia. North Africa, parts of Asia.
In Europe, it is absent only in the far north from England to Scandinavia, and in the south - in Crete.

Flight frequency: Widely distributed, but nowhere found in large quantities.

Summer time: The life cycle of Lemongrass differs from other butterflies: it flies extremely long and is considered a long-liver among butterflies. She begins to fly in July (in the European part of Russia she emerges from pupae at the beginning of summer) and flies until autumn and next spring. In order to energetically endure such a long period, the butterfly arranges numerous "diapauses". She flies for several days, then falls into a stupor for several weeks, then, under favorable conditions, becomes active again for several days. These days she feeds on nectar to make a new energy reserve. In the spring, mating flights can be observed. The female flies in front, and the male follows her, keeping a constant distance. It seems that he is being dragged or held by an invisible thread. Mating occurs when the first buds appear on the buckthorn and zhoster. This is where the female lays her eggs. To keep them on the leaves, she wraps them with an adhesive mass.

Caterpillar stage: In June, small caterpillars hatch. They are dull yellow, lighter on the sides, a light dull whitish stripe passes over the legs. Thanks to this coloring, the caterpillar can be very well masked, according to the principle of contrasting colors (dark on top, light on the bottom). Due to this, its contours are blurred. Caterpillars need this method of camouflage so that from the keen eyes of songbirds. In July, i.e. after four weeks, the caterpillars pupate. The duration of the caterpillar stage depends on the weather. If the weather is cold and damp, then its development slows down, because. caterpillars then eat less. On warm and dry days, their growth is accelerated and the duration of the caterpillar stage is shortened.

Forage plants: Caterpillars of Limonnitsa feed on the leaves of buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), from which the Latin name of the species is derived.

General information: In all of Europe, only one species is known, with slight variations. In the south there are specimens with wings up to 3.3 cm in size, f. meridionalis. Whether it is one of the aberrations or an independent subspecies is not known. The fact that Gonepteryx cleopatra L., an undoubted competitor of lemongrass, lives in the same region speaks in favor of ecological adaptation. For cohabitation of competitors in the same territory, they must be separated in space or time. Interestingly, Gonepteryx cleopatra is highly variable. Apparently he is a more skilled specialist than lemongrass.
In addition to an unusually long lifespan, lemongrass has another unusual ability: it is able to winter without any protection near the soil or in dry foliage on the soil. It is able to tolerate temperatures that are well below zero. And even vice versa, a mild winter creates additional difficulties for her, because. energy consumption at higher temperatures increases and therefore its reserves run out faster. The cold resistance of lemongrass is explained by the liquid in its body, which is a mixture of water, protein and salts.

As soon as the sun warms up in spring, you can see butterflies fluttering over the grass. This is on Earth, there is a huge variety of their species. They are day and night, large and small, they differ in life expectancy and type of food. The lemongrass butterfly appears first in spring. She is one of the few who can endure the winter.

There are butterflies that are inconspicuous and pale, and there are beauties such that you can’t take your eyes off. They get their coloration due to the arrangement and different shades of the smallest scales that cover their wings. Because of this, they become slippery, which helps butterflies to escape from enemies. And these beauties have a lot of the latter, not only birds love to feast on them.

Therefore, some butterflies have a protective coloration, for example, merging with the bark of a tree. Others are protected, on the contrary, by bright coloring, colored spots that look like eyes. Such beauties are also in danger of being caught by a person.

Butterflies of Russia are very beautiful and diverse: swallowtail, purple, mother-of-pearl, iridescence, admiral - these names are given to them in connection with the peculiarities of the color and structure of the wings. Some get their name from what their caterpillars eat: hives, cabbage, raspberries, and plum tails.

In general, butterflies, like all insects, benefit by pollinating plants,

are food for birds and even help control weeds.

But many lay their eggs on and hatched caterpillars cause great damage to agriculture. By itself, it does no harm, as it feeds on nectar, but its larvae live on cabbage and are able to turn a head of cabbage into a lacy skeleton.

One of the most common is lemongrass butterfly. It belongs to the white family. True, males are yellow-green in color, and females are white with a greenish tint. They have a special form of wings, always one orange spot on each. Due to the special structure, the insect practically merges with the plants.

Butterfly lemongrass lays eggs one by one on the leaves of the joster or buckthorn. Their larvae can only feed on these plants. Therefore, this butterfly is also called buckthorn. She herself feeds on nectar and carries pollen, pollinating plants. Of course, she also needs water. Butterflies drink dew or suck moisture from the ground. To do this, they have long proboscis.

Their caterpillars are inconspicuous, green in color, they hide well from enemies. After hatching from the chrysalis, the lemongrass butterfly feeds on nectar for the rest of the summer and reserves strength for wintering. In order to spend the winter, she usually looks for this old ivy. During the whole summer, only one generation of these insects hatches.

Since ancient times, people have been attracted by the beauty of butterflies. called them living flowers. People have always collected collections, pinning these beauties with pins to album sheets. But lately live butterflies have been popular. Exhibitions are organized where people admire not only their beauty, but also their flight.