Back to Blog

Butterflies are amazing creatures that can be found pretty much everywhere and in every color. March 14th is National Learn About Butterflies Day, so keep reading to celebrate with us!

Facts:

  • There are around 17,500 different species of butterflies worldwide, yet only 750 species can be found in the United States!
  • The world’s largest butterfly is the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, Ornithoptera Alexandrae. It lives in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. The females are the largest, with a wind span of around 10.5 inches. They are currently on the endangered species list.
  • Butterflies taste with their feet.
  • Butterflies can see colors that humans cannot. They can see colors from the red spectrum through the ultraviolet color spectrum.
  • Butterflies need heat to move. When you see them resting in the sunshine, they are warming up their wings so they can fly.

Books:

What’s inside a caterpillar cocoon? : and other questions about moths & butterflies by Rachel Ignotofsky

With warm and heart-fluttering illustrations, discover the next nonfiction picture book about butterflies and moths from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science!

Butterflies are pretty … gross! by Rosemary Mosco

Butterflies are not just the gentle, lovely creatures you think they are. Be prepared– the truth will gross you out!

The life cycles of butterflies : from egg to maturity, a visual guide to 23 common garden butterflies by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards

This book is a treasure chest of fantastic butterfly transformations for everyone who has marveled as a butterfly magically emerges from a chrysalis. In this unique collection of hundreds of stunning, full-color, up-close photos, you are invited to experience the life cycles of common backyard butterflies.

From caterpillar to butterfly by Camilla de la Bédoyère

What do caterpillars eat? Where do butterflies lay their eggs? How long do butterflies live? Are you ready to start at the beginning?

Becoming a butterfly by Ruth A. Musgrave

Vibrant photography, colorful illustrations, and simple facts show how a butterfly becomes a butterfly, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to an adult ready to spread its wings and fly.

Summer birds : the butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle

The story of a young girl living in the 17th century who took the time to observe the life cycle of butterflies–and in so doing, disproved a theory that went back to ancient Greece.

A butterfly’s life cycle by Mary R. Dunn

The process of starting a new life is fascinating! Watch a butterfly grow from an egg to an insect. Young readers will learn about the stages in a butterfly’s life. From a tiny egg to a chrysalis and a brightly-colored butterfly! The life cycle of a butterfly is a beautiful thing to see.

Sensational butterflies by Ben Rothery

Butterflies and moths are some of nature’s most amazing creatures. Around 180,000 different kinds- in all shapes, sizes, and colors- can be found worldwide. Natural history illustrator Ben Rothery curates his selection of the most stunning examples in this collection for all ages. Discover what makes butterflies and moths sensational, from the famous monarch to the striking blue morpho.

I love insects by Lizzy Rockwell

The girl in this story loves insects. Her friend does not like insects. Like them or not, children will learn many interesting facts, as well as why insects are essential to human survival.

Becoming butterflies by Anne Rockwell

A class observes the various stages caterpillars go through to become butterflies.

Butterfly for a king: saving Hawaiʻi’s Kamehameha butterflies by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

A combined history of the Hawaiian islands and the native Kamehameha butterfly up to and including current-day efforts of Hawaiʻi’s Pulelehua Project, a group of professional and citizen scientists working to restore the butterfly’s declining habitats and population. An Afterword with additional information, photographs, and a source list is included.

My book of butterflies by Geraldo Valério

This stunning book explores butterflies from around the world. Geraldo Valério grew up in Brazil, watching white butterflies visit the vegetable patch behind his house. As he got older, he learned more about these unique and beautiful insects, which can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Geraldo presents his favorite butterfly species from around the world.

Monarch butterfly by Gail Gibbons

The life cycle of the monarch butterfly begins when it is a tiny egg clinging to a leaf. In time, it goes through a transformation called metamorphosis to become a butterfly, and in the fall, it can migrate almost 100 miles each day. In this book, follow the story of one monarch butterfly and learn about what it eats, how it grows, and more.

Endangered butterflies by Bobbie Kalman & Robin Johnson

Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures in the world. Learn about these fascinating insects, some of which will likely become extinct. In Endangered Butterflies, stunning full-color illustrations and photographs accompany engaging and informative text. In this book, children will discover The bodies, habitats, and defenses of butterflies; The remarkable changes that occur during butterfly metamorphosis; Reasons why some butterflies are endangered, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and the collecting of rare species; Ways people around the world are helping protect butterflies and the natural places where they live.

Handle with care: an unusual butterfly journey by Loree Griffin Burns

Introduces readers to a butterfly farm in Costa Rica.

Sources: