In keeping with the spirit of Learn About Butterflies Day, celebrate by learning a little more about the wide range of butterflies. With over 20,000 types of butterflies worldwide today is the perfect day to learn about butterflies.
Their wing spans can range from 1/2 inch to 11 inches. Did you know that in their adult stage butterflies can live from a week up to a year, depending on the species? Many butterflies migrate over long distances the most famous migrations are those of the Monarch butterfly from Mexico to the northern USA and southern Canada, a distance of about 2500 to 3000 miles. That’s a lot of air miles!
Ways to celebrate Learn About Butterflies Day
If you need some inspiration about how to celebrate, here are five ideas for you to try.
1. Start a butterfly garden.
One of the best ways to attract butterflies to your yard is to plant nectar-producing flowers that have red, yellow, orange, pink, or purple blossoms. Plant them in a sunny spot in a group so they grow in clusters.
2. Make a butterfly snack.
Fresh fruit is the perfect springtime snack, so use your imagination to whip up a fruity butterfly treat. You can also put a bit of fruit out in your garden for the butterflies to enjoy.
3. Learn something you didn’t know about butterflies.
Did you know that a butterfly can’t fly if its body temperature falls below 86°F? Or that they drink the tears of turtles? And they use their feet to taste?
4. Get crafty.
Grab some card, pipe cleaners and clothes peg and some pom-poms and here’s how you create your own butterfly:
- Decorate some card with markers and then spray it with water to create its wings.
- Once it dries, wrap a pipe cleaner around the middle of the card.
- Glue pom-poms onto the clothespin and clip the clothespin to the cards.
- Bend the pipe cleaner to make the antennae.
5. Visit your local zoo.
If in doubt learn from the experts. Heading to your local zoo and talking to the keepers that look after these amazing creatures from caterpillar to larvae and then to butterfly. They will be able to show you just how amazing these creatures are.
