Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
Here are a few frequently asked questions. Please see if your question might be answered here. If not, don't hesitate to email me with your questions once you are certain it has not been addressed within my web pages. I will make every attempt to answer question expediently and as accurately as possible. If I am unable to provide an answer I will try, at least, to provide direction. I do not profess to be a walking human encyclopedia on lepidoptera....just a lover of nature in general, who happens to be captivated by these interesting creatures.
I found a butterfly and it has a broken wing, how can I help it, will it grow a new one? Answer - No. Butterflies do not have the ability to repair or regenerate body parts. In this situation it is best to let it go and perhaps become a meal for one of natures other inhabitants.
Will moths eat my cloths? Answer - Find it on my interesting facts page.
What is the difference between the term "chrysalis" and "cocoon"? Answer - A chrysalis is the hard case formed by a caterpillar during pupation. A cocoon is the object formed by a caterpillar that is comprised from the silk produced by the caterpillar and sometimes different debris such as leaves and twigs are used as well.
How do you tell male and females apart? Answer - This question doesn't have one singular answer. In butterflies colouring plays a large roll. In many species though the male and female do vary in colouration. In the Monarch the difference between male and female is the slight bulge located in one of the hind wing veins of the male. With some it is necessary to dissect the abdomen and view genitalia under a microscope. In the moth world things are much the same......only with some moths the distinction can be made by the antennae. Since males have to locate females by detecting pheromones emitted by the females the male antennae have evolved to be larger (all the better to smell you with my dear). Some species are identifiable by colour or size differential and still others must be identified through dissection and viewing under a microscope.
I found a caterpillar of some sort. Can I keep it until it grows into a butterfly? Answer - You can if you are able to identify the species of caterpillar. From that you can determine what the host plant is. At this point you have to be prepared to supply your guest with fresh leaves from this plant on a daily basis and the proper environment for it to pupate. Different caterpillars have different pupation times depending on the species or the time of year. Please read my butterfly life cycle page and my moth life cycle page for more information.
I saw some sort of flying thing that looked like and acted like a Hummingbird. What could it be? Answer - You probably saw a Hummingbird Moth. Refer to my "A moth that looks like a Hummingbird" page.
I saw this butterfly or moth, I am not sure what it was, it was big and green. What kind was it? Answer - Doing identifications can be very difficult in this manner. You must realize that there are thousands of possibilities. The more information the better to insure a positive result. Geographic location, reasonably accurate size, wing markings along with marking colourations, wing shape and body description even the time of year are all important parameters.
How long does it take for a caterpillar to become a butterfly or moth after it pupates? Answer - Read my life cycle page on butterflies or on moths.
What body temperature has to be attained for a butterfly or moth before it can fly? Answer - Being cold blooded it is necessary to heat up the flight muscles before flight can occur. Depending on the species this temperature can vary. Some butterflies and moths can attain flight during winter like conditions and are pushed into diapause during hot summer conditions. On the other hand some do better in the summer heat and escape to warmer climates as soon as seasons start to cool.
