Popular for the mesmerizing array of colored patterns on their wings, it is nearly impossible to miss the flutter of a butterfly around you. The word butterfly is believed to have been derived from an archaic English term “butte lodge” which is loosely translated in modern English. This particular group of insects scientifically identified as Rhopalocera has been a natural wild attraction for decades. Even from an artistic point of view butterflies have often been used in poetry, songs, and films to symbolize aspects of beauty and serenity.
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Evolution of Butterflies
The evolution of butterflies dates back to the cretaceous period (also referred to as the “age of the flowering plant”) about 65 to 135 million years Numerous theories have since been presented by entomologists to justify the existence of butterflies. A recent theory has shed some light on the origin of these insects claiming they are but a group of brightly colored moths. This theory is a result of the similarities between moths and butterflies.
What should you know about butterflies?
Lepidopterology (study of butterflies and moths) though not a major field in entomology has in recent years gotten more meaningful attention from these scientists. In fact, according to research recently performed by the lepidopterology society, there are around 18,000 species of butterflies existing globally. Listed below are some examples of these species.
- Monarch butterfly
- Red admiral butterfly
- Swallowtail butterfly
- European skipper butterfly
- Painted butterfly
- Copper butterfly
- American snout butterfly
- Karna blue butterfly
- Blue Morpho butterfly
- Mourning cloak butterfly
- Marble wing butterfly
- Glass wing butterfly
- Orange butterfly
The most prominent question that turns up when discussing butterflies among insect fanatics is; can you keep a pet butterfly? Of course, you can! However, a lot of caution and care will be demanded from you. For anyone looking to adopt and enjoy the company of these magnificent insects, several factors need to be considered.
This is to ensure that these beautiful creatures will still thrive even with human contact. These factors include:
Habitat
Butterflies can live anywhere on plants as long as the climate of the area is conducive. Since they are day insects Butterflies rest during the night by hanging under leaves. This gives them protection from not only predators but also harsh weather. They also migrate in large groups to warmer places with the change in seasons. For example, Butterflies slow down their metamorphosis and hibernate during winter.
Growth and reproduction
Butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of plants that later hatch. The laid eggs undergo metamorphosis to transform into the adult butterfly. The transformation from egg to pupa to caterpillar (larva) and finally to a butterfly is a phenomenon that has attracted not only entomologists but also other insect lovers. Each stage entails a certain aspect of growth with unique timelines and distinctive characteristics for each phase.
Food
The most noticeable phase when it comes to butterflies is when they are caterpillars. Caterpillars eat so much food to gain body mass and prepare their bodies for transformation into adults. Unlike the growing caterpillars who use their mandibles to chew on leaves of plants, adult butterflies do not eat. They however possess an elongated tube-like structure called a proboscis that enables them to suck off nutrients from flowers of plants. A fascinating fact is that butterflies can taste their food via proboscis, feet, antenna, and wings.
Life span
Butterflies develop rapidly from fragile eggs into adult insects with enchanting beauty in quite a short time. The average life span of a butterfly is around three to four weeks.
Flying space
Since butterflies are insects that spend a major part of their life flying, it is necessary to give them ample space to exercise their flight. Containers covered in wire mesh are recommended for raising pet butterflies.
Species
It is important to consider the butterfly species you desire to adopt. Some species like the monarch are dangerous to predators.
How do you name your butterfly?
In the cumbersome event of searching for a perfect name for your pet you often come across a sea of names. Have you recently thought of choosing a butterfly name for your companion? If you have, then you are probably in that rare percentage of people who indulge in uniquely using butterfly names for their pets.
In the compilation below are categories of butterfly names you could select. From common to extremely rare names this list will give you an idea of what to pick for your pet insect.
Common Butterfly Names
- Belle
- Daisy
- Gina
- Porsha
- Arya
- June
- Julian
- Aurora
- Bela
- Kiran
- Aisha
- Perry
- Nigel
- Lola
- Blue
- Smith
- Silver
- Viola
- Alma
- Fairy
- Ferb
- Avis
- Butter
- Craig
- Aiden
- Colt
- Piper
Pretty Butterfly Names
- Cassandra
- Avril
- Goldie
- Hades
- Olive
- Asia
- Lavender
- Bella
- Arjun
- Genevieve
- Zynga
- Tetra
- Peach
- Dandelion
- Blossom
- Dream
- Arleen
- Petal
- Diva
- Farhat
- Caramel
Good Butterfly Names
- Cuppy
- Ryan
- Snow
- Pepper
- Orange
- Paris
- Siri
- Oprah
- Garland
- Tip
- Pear
- Mira
- Trian
- Eve
- Cupid
- Crysta
- Mellow
Royal Butterfly Names
- Elizabeth
- Alexander
- Ottoman
- Trojan
- William
- Shiva
- Osiris
- Catherine
- Mansa
- Diamond
- Peterson
- Alfonso
- the Shire
Butterfly Names
- Knight
- Anubis
- Smoke
- Dark
- Saturn
- Vierra
- Houdini
- Pitch
- Rama
- Chiusi
- Yonder
- Kite
- Chalion
- Storm
- Helga
- Jini
- Diablo
- Ifrit
Mystical Butterfly Names
- Zeus
- Kiran
- Wasabi
- Mystica
- Pope
- Kipepeo
- Mushu
- Isis
- Aura
- Ramayan
- Ira
- Adita
- Hera
- Julian
- Artis
- Malawi
- Drakona
- Uri
- Felcher
- Maya
- Mitra
Rare Butterfly Names
- Gulam
- Area
- Janariah
- Heiman
- Deidra
- Pius
- Mobile
- Barbie
- Yolo
- Pierre
- Bashan
- Pretoria
- Imenti
- Fallon
- Kasha
- Ayon
- Kismet
- Soria
- Dibs
- Jalon
- Amentia
- Poker
Red Butterfly Names
- Maroon
- Scarlet
- Wine
- Venus
- Burgundy
- Fuschia
- Julia
- Love
- Carrie
- Mars
- Crimson
- Cano
- Leo
- Jade
- Uranus
RoseBlue Butterfly Names
- Magenta
- Aqua
- Coral
- Hydra
- Sky
- Balmain
- Azure
- Mia
- Amira
- the Maldives
- Tire
- Crystal
- Casper
- Bolt
From the categories listed above, it is crystal clear that butterflies have a wide range of names you could choose from. Just like their breathtaking anatomy, you as a butterfly lover should be willing to find a name that suits not your butterfly’s appearance but also its nature.