Six-legged Friends

Insects like butterflies play many vital roles in the world around us. Insects are important pollinators, and they serve as food for birds, fish, and mammals. They also provide important commercial products such as wax, silk, and honey.

Metamorphosis

Butterflies and moths aren’t born with wings. They have four distinct life stages: egg, larval, pupal, and adult. Larval butterflies are better known as caterpillars!

Butterflies are often very picky about which plants they eat. For example, Sara Orangetips (Anthocharis sara) prefer common plants like wild radish and mustard, while Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) dine exclusively on milkweed.

Anise Swallowtail

Anise Swallowtails (Papilio zelicaon) can be easily recognized by their black wings with large yellow spots, and the blue markings and orange eyespots on the hind wings. They are found throughout the western United States. The caterpillars feed on Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), a non-native weed that is abundant in vacant lots and other disturbed areas.