When I found out that butterflies had their own special day (March 14) I was amazed and kind of amused. “Learn about butterflies day.” I am not making this up!

Turns out, there is a LOT to learn about butterflies. Even for an old animal loving artist like myself. Here are a few choice facts:

Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet

WHAT? Yes, this is true. For humans, it might be unpleasant to taste grass, mud and bugs while walking barefoot outside.

But for the delicate butterfly, it is a blessing. It’s how they find their “host plants” and learn which ones are right for egg-laying. And both male and female butterflies step on their food to release dissolved sugars from fermenting fruit. Makes me wonder…do butterflies get drunk?

Butterflies have to Assemble their own Mouth Parts

Kind of a weird one! A newly emerged adult butterfly’s mouth parts are in two pieces. It has to work the two parts together to form a single proboscis. Ever wonder why a new butterfly spends time curling and uncurling it’s “tongue?” It’s testing out that nectar sipping tool!

Cold Weather Keeps Butterflies Grounded

When the temperature drops below 55 degrees, butterflies cannot fly. That means they can’t feed or flee predators. Their ideal temperature? Summery. Like between 82 and 100 degrees. I’m not sure how they do in the furnace-like heat of an southwestern summer. If you know the answer, pass it on to me!

Butterflies could use eyeglasses…

They are very nearsighted. In fact, their clear visual range is about 10 to 12 feet. But despite this seeming disability, they see colors we can’t see. In fact, they see an entire range of ultraviolet colors invisible to us mere humans.

What could those possibly be? I don’t know about you, but it’s very hard for me to imagine colors I can’t see.

I’m going to be watching butterflies in a whole new way now!