Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why are butterflies important?
A. Butterflies are ideal monitors for habitat destruction, pollution and the overuse of pesticides and herbicides. Also, since nectar is the food of most adult butterflies, as they visit flowers they transfer pollen, assisting in crop pollination. They are also an important part of the food web.

Q. What are the differences between butterflies and moths?
A. There are always exceptions, but generally: The tips of a butterfly’s antennae are usually knobbed. The antennae of most moths are tapered at the tip and are feathery. Most butterflies are active in the day. Most moths are active at night. Butterflies, at rest, hold their wings vertically over their back. Moths fold their wings over their back or extend them to the sides. A butterfly’s wings are not hooked together. Moths' wings are often hooked together. Butterflies’ bodies are often slender and smooth. A moth’s body is often thick and fuzzy. A butterfly’s pupa is called a chrysalis and is smooth and papery. A moth’s pupa is often within a silken cocoon made with a long fiber. Silk comes from moth cocoons.

Q. Can butterflies fly without their scales?
A. We have all heard that if we touch a butterfly’s wings it will not be able to fly. If a butterfly’s wings are touched, some of the scales can rub off. The slipperiness and easy detachment of butterfly scales may help butterflies escape predators. If a butterfly loses some of its scales, it will be able to fly; however, if a butterfly is over-touched, other damage could be done to the wing which could prevent the butterfly from flying.

Q. Can butterflies repair their damaged wings?
A. No! However, butterflies can continue to fly with less than half their wing.

Q. Are there any extinct butterflies?
A. first American butterfly known to have become extinct from human cause is the Xerces blue, which vanished from the San Francisco Peninsula in 1943. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists 16 species as endangered or threatened. Several other candidates are being considered for listing.