Activity 5

Let's learn about some butterflies that live in your state.  There is a site on the Internet that lists butterflies that live in each state at:  http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm

Click on your state.  The butterflies are divided into their scientific "families."  For example, monarchs are in the brush-footed family.  Click on one of the family names.  Then choose a butterfly, under a family name, that has a camera icon next to its name. This indicates a picture of the butterfly is included. 

After you have selected your butterfly, look at the photographs.  Many include photographs of each stage of the butterfly's life cycle.

Select one butterfly that lives in your state and draw a picture of the butterfly on the back of your "Butterfly Journal."  Write its name under the picture.

How big does the butterfly get?  Check the Wing Span measurement and write it in your journal. Investigate what food the caterpillar eats by looking under Caterpillar hosts.  Investigate what the adult butterfly eats by looking under Adult Food.

The Butterfly Guide at: http://www.butterflies.com/guide.html also lists several plants that some of the more common butterflies, and their caterpillars, like.

Choose one or two foods for your butterfly, and its caterpillar, and write them in your journal.