Butterflies and Moths: Part 2

Today was the day for visiting our local butterfly exhibit! As always, it was beautiful. We saw many species, including Common Blue Morphos, White Morphos, and many, many Longwings and Postmans. We watched butterflies emerging from their chrysalides, and saw them at the feeding stations, enjoying honey water and fruit. Evie was very excited, and I could hardly keep up with her!

Activity: Play-Doh Life Cycle

• Egg: We made a leaf, then rolled up several little balls to be the eggs. Evie placed the eggs on the underside of the leaf, and we talked about how that would keep them safe from the sun, weather, predators...
• Larva: We made several caterpillars, and talked about adaptations that would protect them, such as bright colors and spines to warn off predators. 
• Chrysalis: We made different shapes of chrysalides, and talked about how they can blend into their environments, and about the metamorphosis taking place within.
• Butterfly: We decorated butterfly wings with ocelli (eyespots), and gave them tails for defense mechanisms. Then we talked about basic butterfly anatomy: head, thorax, abdomen, 6 legs, antennae, proboscis...
• Bonus: I demonstrated a difference between moths and butterflies: how their wings lay when at rest. Flat down for moths, straight up for butterflies (unless they are sunning themselves or displaying).