Butterfly 101 with Furship

 at CLAW Summer Camp

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Despite their small size, butterflies are some of the World's most wondrous animals. Their beauty and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations. As advanced insects, butterflies and moths have a "complete" life cycle. This means that there are four separate stages, each of which looks completely different and serves a different purpose in the life of the insect.

The egg is a tiny round, oval, or cylindrical object, usually with fine ribs and other microscopic structures. The female attaches the egg to leaves, stems, or other objects, usually on or near the intended caterpillar food.

The caterpillar (or larva) is the long worm-like stage of the butterfly or moth. It often has an interesting pattern of stripes or patches, and may have spine-like hairs. It is the feeding and growth stage. As it grows, it sheds its skin four or more times so as to enclose its rapidly growing body.

The chrysalis (or pupa) is the transformation stage within which the caterpillar tissues are broken down and the adult insect's structures are formed. The chrysalis of most species is brown or green and blends into the background. Many species change over winter in this stage.

The adult (or imago) is the colorful butterfly or moth we usually see. It is the reproductive and mobile stage for the species. The adults undergo courtship, mating, and egg-laying. The adult butterfly or moth is also the stage that migrates or colonizes new habitats.

YOUR CHALLENGE

• Catch a butterfly - any butterfly and send it in or send me the URL to the page where you found it.  Only one (1) butterfly per camper, please!

                                             and or

• Answer the following questions and send your answers to me when you're finished:

1. Butterflies are known as the worlds most "what"?

2. True or False -- the egg is a tiny, square shaped object, usually with fine ribs and other microscopic structures.

3. How many times a year does a caterpillar shed it's skin?

4. True or False -- moths are butterflies, too.

Scraps	Moke
BeBeast	Oliver Berrier	Anne Cordelia
Chavalah	Black Jack	Spyder
Swizzle	Tyger's Den
Lady Blue	Pepe	BabyBlu
Moses	Snowey	RC
Brya	Playful, Tux & Tyke	Sissy G
Pong	Buddee	Tiger Magnificat
	SnowFox	Lucky
Pepper Mille'	Boo	Miss Pinkerton
		Cheech, Al & Puffer

 Above are butterflies. Adventure members had some and many are still here.  If you let Mysty know, she'll keep yours for the Camp.

Camp Activity.  If I don't hear from mew, they may be removed. If I hear from mew, you can earn your badge.