What We Can Learn from Butterflies

Throughout human history butterflies have represented hope, change and rebirth. We write poems about them and sometimes even release them at weddings!

Butterflies help us learn about biodiversity, pollination ecology, sustainability, metamorphosis and co-evolution. The butterflies featured on the Asheville Butterfly Trail are native to Western North Carolina and each offers a lesson. 

There are six major butterfly families. The largest is the Brush-footed group (Nymphalidae). All insects have six legs as do butterflies, but it’s very hard to see the first pair of legs on the brush-footed butterflies like Monarchs and Gulf Fritillaries. They are short and flip upwards when resting! Here’s a pie chart of the main butterfly families.

Butterflies = Moths?

Butterflies evolved from moths about 56 million years ago. With around 170,000 species, together they form the Lepidoptera order which refers to the fact that their wings have overlapping scales, much like our roof shingles. There is one butterfly species for every nine moth species and some scientists argue they should still be called moths!

So, what’s the difference?

• Butterfly antennae always have small “clubs” at the end and moth antennae do not.

• Moths tend to be burlier and fuzzier than butterflies.

• Moths generally don’t fold their wings together upright at rest like butterflies do.

• When they pupate, butterflies become a chrysalis while moths generally spin a cocoon.

Photo: Fritillary Butterfly on Bee Balm by Paul Stebner

Photo: Moth antennae by Yathumon M A/Wikimedia Commons

• Do All Caterpillars Eat Their Eggshells?

  Nature doesn’t have any absolutes! (Oops! Is that an absolute statement?) Most, but not all ,caterpillar species consume their own eggshells as their first nutrient-rich meal. This behavior provides essential proteins to fuel their growth

• Does Touching Butterflies' Wings Harm Their Ability to Fly?

  The term Lepidoptera combines two Greek words, “lepis” meaning scales and “ptero” meaning wings, and describes butterflies, skippers, and moths. The "dust" that rubs off when you touch them is actually thousands of delicate, microscopic scales. Removing too many scales can make the wing membrane brittle, prone to tearing, and reduce flight efficiency. 

• How Long Is the Typical Timeline from Egg to Adult?

  A butterfly egg typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks (roughly 25–30 days) to mature into an adult, though this varies by species and temperature. The process involves four main stages: the egg (3–7 days), larva/caterpillar (2–3 weeks), pupa/chrysalis (1–2 weeks), and adult. There are lots of exceptions!

Pollinators At Your Service

Butterflies may not be the world’s leading group of pollinators, but they play an important pollination role using “wing pollination.” Indeed, they are the primary pollinators of some flowers, like Western North Carolina’s beloved flame azaleas. 

Photo: Aphrodite Fritillary Butterfly on Blackberry by John Fulmer

Butterflies Need Your Help

Sadly, butterflies and other pollinators are declining at alarming rates due to climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide exposure.

We hope you will join us in our quest to reverse pollinator declines by planting locally native plants wherever possible and avoiding pesticide use. Learn about Pollinator Gardening Principles and get our recommendations for native plants for Western North Carolina.

Learn more about butterflies by visiting the Asheville Butterfly Trail in-person and online!