Butterflies. Mother Nature's Natural Phenomena
Butterflies are one of Mother Nature’s natural phenomena. Displaying intricate patterns and colors on their wings, these creatures are uniquely beautiful.
Things:
Butterflies are living insects that come in a variety of shapes and colors. They are small, delicate and light. Tiny iridescent scales cover the wings of a butterfly to create the amazing pattern on their wings.
Frameworks:
Butterflies can fly. Veins support the delicate wings and tiny sensory hairs cover the body. There are three main parts to the body: the head, thorax and abdomen. A butterfly has four wings and six legs and can only fly if their body is above 86 degrees. Depending on the species, butterflies can fly from 5 miles an hour up to 30 miles per hour.
http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/schools/beal/curriculum/butterfly/butterflyinfo.htm
Clockworks:
The life-cycle of a butterfly is truly amazing. It starts out as an egg which is often laid on a leaf. The larva, which is a caterpillar, hatches from an egg. Feeding off of leaves or flowers, the caterpillar grows and loses its old skin. After gaining size, a caterpillar will turn into a pupa or chrysalis which is a term to identify the resting stage. When this stage ends, a butterfly emerges and can fly away. Once an adult, the butterfly continues the life-cycle. Sadly, as butterflies age, the wings become ragged and their color fades.
Lantana, Zinnias, Bee balm, and Purple coneflowers are examples of food that will attract many butterflies.
Phenomena:
A phenomenon about butterflies is that there are about 28,000 butterfly species worldwide and many of them migrate thousands of miles. Even though it is not well understood, it is known that butterflies migrate to avoid environmental conditions. Another strange phenomenon is the fact that butterflies can hear sounds through their wings. Most butterflies protect themselves from predators by using camouflage. They blend in with their environment and become impossible to spy while resting on a branch. Some of these insects have the ability to resemble dead leaves or even the bark of a tree.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/