Butterfly Questions?!!?

Question

What is the reproductive adaptations of butterflies????

Answer 1

The male has patches or brands of scent-producing scales called androconia on the fore- or hind wings. The base of each scale is attached to a gland that exudes chemicals called pheromones or sex attractants. These chemicals play a part during courtship when both the male and female fly together. The gentle flapping of the wings of the male drift the the pheromones from the scales towards the female, encouraging her to settle down and mate.

The male also has another organ that is used during courtship - a yellow brush-like organ that is usually tucked inside the last segment of the abdomen. When extruded during courtship, it forms a beautiful globular structure with very fine hairs. These hairs, called 'Hair Pencils', are sometimes rubbed or brushed against the antennae of the female to invoke a cooperative response. The chemicals emitted from this organ contain, among other things, a toxin called danaidone. Females prefer to mate with males who exude significant amounts of danaidone from their hair pencils. In addition, the spermatophore (sperm package) that the male passes over to the female during mating also contains danaidone as well as sperm and other nutrients. The danaidone is incorporated into the eggs as well as into the female's tissues. This not only increases the chances of survival of the eggs that are laid but also makes the female less palatable to predators.
http://www.srilankaninsects.net/Butterflies/Danaidae/General_Danaidae.htm

Color patterns are used to signal their sex or species to each other. Chemical pheromones are used by both sexes of some butterflies to attract the opposite sex or to signal species identity in courtship. A few butterflies make clicking sounds [males of genus Hamadryas] to protect their space. Some chrysalides [gossamer wings family] make clicking sounds to attract ants that in turn protect them. Physical actions such as aggressive flight or postures are used in courtship or to protect resources such as an important flower. Caterpillars of some species produce sugary substances for ants which in turn protect the caterpillars.

Male butterflies find females by sight, and use chemicals called pheromones at close range. If the female accepts the male, they couple end to end and may go on a short courtship flight. They may remain coupled for an hour or more, sometimes overnight. The male passes a sperm packet called a spermatorphore to the female. The sperm then fertilize each egg as it passes down the female's egg-laying tube.
http://bsi.montana.edu/web/kidsbutterfly/faq/behavior

Answer 2

Hello----------

I would like to recommend a fantastic book entitled: 'Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds to Your Backyard" by Sally Roth. It is a Rodale Organic gardening series book. I got my copy at Barnes & Noble.

The book gives a lot of information on butterflies, and your question and a whole lot more will be covered.

I sincerely hope this helps.

PAMELA J.

Answer 3

In a movie i saw a guy bought a box of caterpillars and fed them special stuff and got oodles of butterflies i wish i could do that

Answer 4

They do not reproduce in cold weather.. Is this what you are looking for? Also if there is not enough food to sustain themselves they will not be able to breed.

Answer 5

i dont know about that... but here are some interesting facts about them

http://living.oneindia.in/home-n-garden/beautiful-gardens/butterfly-gardening-tips.html