Scientists who study butterflies. Interesting facts about butterflies. In the world there is more than one species of these insects, which can rightfully be considered the rarest. One of them is the sailboat of Queen Alexandra - the largest butterfly on the planet.

The science of butterflies is called lepidopterology. For my short life a female butterfly can lay over 1,000 eggs. Butterflies are insects with complete transformation or holometamorphosis. Their life cycle includes four phases: Egg; Larva (caterpillar); chrysalis; Adult insect (imago). Butterflies are insects with complete transformation, or holometamorphosis. Their life cycle includes four phases: Egg; Larva (caterpillar); chrysalis; Adult insect (imago). Atlas (A. atlas aurantica) - one of the "champions" in terms of wing area

Do butterflies have a heart? Yes, I have. Only not in the chest, but ... in the abdomen. And their blood is not red, but green. It does not contain hemoglobin, and it does not carry oxygen, as in humans, but delivers it to all insect cells nutrients, various hormones and enzymes. The ability of butterflies to find "spouses" at a great distance is amazing. Night butterflies are especially famous for this: males of some species find a female several kilometers away! The wings of M. rethenor from the genus Morpho shine with iridescent colors Male peacock-eye (Eudia pavonia) has an exceptional sense of smell

Butterflies have become a hobby of many famous people. They were collected by Vladimir Nabokov, Mikhail Bulgakov, academician Ivan Pavlov, revolutionary Nikolai Bukharin, the famous financier Walter Rothschild. Among our contemporaries, Andrei Makarevich and the Mavrodi brothers, owners of one of the largest collections in Russia, paid attention to butterflies. Vladimir Nabokov discovered 20 species of butterflies and named them. And he donated his collection of 4324 copies to the Zoological Museum of the University of Lausanne. Butterflies have become a hobby of many famous people. They were collected by Vladimir Nabokov, Mikhail Bulgakov, academician Ivan Pavlov, revolutionary Nikolai Bukharin, the famous financier Walter Rothschild. Among our contemporaries, Andrei Makarevich and the Mavrodi brothers, owners of one of the largest collections in Russia, paid attention to butterflies. Vladimir Nabokov discovered 20 species of butterflies and named them. And he donated his collection of 4324 copies to the Zoological Museum of the University of Lausanne. Lilac moth (Naxa seriaria) is able to take off from the surface of the water

The Red Book serves as the scientific and directive basis for organizing the protection of rare and endangered species of butterflies. So, 70 species of Lepidoptera belonging to 14 families are included in the IUCN Red Book. The first Red Book of Russia, published in 1983, included 12 species of butterflies. Two years later, the Red Book of the USSR was published with a list of 105 species of Lepidoptera. In 1999, a new list of endangered animals of Russia was published, which included 33 species of butterflies. Queen Alexandra's Ornithoptera (Ornithoptera alexandrae). One of rare species that are in danger of extinction. Despite restrictions on trade in this species, the unofficial value of a pair of butterflies among collectors can reach US dollars or more. Swallowtail

butterflies national park"Yugyd va" The first Lepidoptera in the mountain-forest belt of the National Park "Yugyd va" can be found already at the end of May. These include urticaria, lemongrass, s-white antlers. There are mourning places, scoops of the serrated wing, less often - multicolors. In June, butterflies of a new generation appear. In the meadows, forest edges, carnivals from the pigeon family are plentiful. Under the crown of birches, potted whites flutter. A bright symbol of spring are butterflies-dawns or aurora with cheerful orange spots on wings visible from afar. Amicable companies of garden whites gather around the thawed places - rutabaga, cabbage, turnips. Butterfly-dawn

In the park, cocoonworms are represented by four species: raspberry, fluffy, pine and hawthorn. During the day, large brown butterflies, the birch silkworm, fly over the crowns. This species is included in the list of rare and endangered insects of the Komi Republic. In June, the first moths appear. They got their name because of the way the caterpillars of this species move. Outwardly, this is similar to measuring distance with fingers (spans). The members of the family are diverse. The birch moth became a kind of indicator of clean air, thanks to which it became famous in the 19th century. It has been observed that the coloration of its wings becomes dark in industrial areas where tree trunks are covered with soot. Butterflies living in the birch forests of the national park are bright, and this may indicate the absence of air pollution in its territory. During this period of summer you can meet large and very beautiful butterflies from the Saturnia family, or peacock-eye. Two species of them live in the national park: the red nocturnal peacock eye and the lesser nocturnal peacock eye.

In the evenings, various scoops fly, or bats - the most numerous representatives of Lepidoptera. in deciduous and mixed forests In the national park, five species from the corydalis family were found: large harpy, willow, zigzag, carmelite, silver hole. Caterpillars of a number of corydalis are distinguished by bright colors. Since July, various mother-of-pearls have been flying in the meadows: Selena, violet, Titania, small velvet. Less common are mother-of-pearl tavolzhanka, Aglaya, early checkers. Alpine mother-of-pearl (Tor) is a characteristic representative of the Ural fauna. Unusual in the polar regions is Laton's mother-of-pearl, Eugene's mother-of-pearl, which is listed in the Red Book of the Komi Republic. Its biology has not yet been studied. In the evenings, various scoops fly, or bats - the most numerous representatives of Lepidoptera. In the deciduous and mixed forests of the national park, five species from the corydalis family were found: large harpy, willow, zigzag, carmelite, silver hole. Caterpillars of a number of corydalis are distinguished by bright colors. Since July, various mother-of-pearls have been flying in the meadows: Selena, violet, Titania, small velvet. Less common are mother-of-pearl tavolzhanka, Aglaya, early checkers. Alpine mother-of-pearl (Tor) is a characteristic representative of the Ural fauna. Unusual in the polar regions is Laton's mother-of-pearl, Eugene's mother-of-pearl, which is listed in the Red Book of the Komi Republic. Its biology has not yet been studied. Perlamutrovka Evgenia

Large white hawthorns often feed on meadow flowers. Numerous in the park are black marigolds: Ligea, Euryale, Embla. Unlike other butterflies, blackflies are not afraid of cloudy weather and often fly in drizzling rain. The Northern and Subpolar Urals is perhaps the last place where the number of swallowtail butterflies does not cause concern yet. This beautiful and large sailboat from the Cavalier family has become rare in the territories developed by man. Swallowtail is recognizable - yellow with a bright pattern, consisting of a black border, and noticeable bluish spots. A magnificent decoration of the fauna of the national park is the admiral - velvety black on top, a red stripe on the front wings, the same border on the hind wings, the corners of the front wings in white spots. The smart admiral is a real celebrity. The butterfly became famous all over the world thanks to its fearless flights across the Atlantic. In the Subpolar Urals, this tireless traveler can be met regularly. There is a version that they successfully overwinter with us. Large white hawthorns often feed on meadow flowers. Numerous in the park are black marigolds: Ligea, Euryale, Embla. Unlike other butterflies, blackflies are not afraid of cloudy weather and often fly in drizzling rain. The Northern and Subpolar Urals is perhaps the last place where the number of swallowtail butterflies does not cause concern yet. This beautiful and large sailboat from the Cavalier family has become rare in the territories developed by man. Swallowtail is recognizable - yellow with a bright pattern, consisting of a black border, and noticeable bluish spots. A magnificent decoration of the fauna of the national park is the admiral - velvety black on top, a red stripe on the front wings, the same border on the hind wings, the corners of the front wings in white spots. The smart admiral is a real celebrity. The butterfly became famous all over the world thanks to its fearless flights across the Atlantic. In the Subpolar Urals, this tireless traveler can be met regularly. There is a version that they successfully overwinter with us. Nigella bandaged Admiral vulgaris Meadow jaundice

In late July - early August, one of the most beautiful butterflies of the national park, the sailfish feubus, flies in the meadows under the bald mountains. The sailboat Phoebus flies only in clear weather. Phoebe's caterpillars develop mainly on radiol pink. And if this plant, undergoing poaching, decreases in numbers, then this may cause a decrease in the number of this butterfly, listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Sailboat phoebus The fauna of lepidoptera is very peculiar in the north of the national park in the basin of the river Kozhim. Some Siberian species are numerous here: magna marigold, Angarsk mother-of-pearl. Black marble is very rare. It is customary to meet Norn marigold, Polixena, northern, Ross, Euryalus, Ligeya, Embla and some other species in tundra places. An interesting representative Urala is an Alaskan mother-of-pearl. Large forest mother-of-pearl

There are very few diurnal butterflies in the high-mountain lichen tundras. Alpine whitefish (callidica) and marigold Melissa still live among the rocks. Alpine whitefish is not afraid of cold northern winds and rains. You can observe how even in stormy weather these butterflies continue to feed on the nectar of flowers. Lemon balm males have a pronounced territorial behavior. Usually the male sits, hiding on the stones, but when another male appears in the air, he abruptly takes off and rushes after him in pursuit. Marigold Melissa Belyanka alpine

The beautiful butterflies of the Urals can conditionally be used as indicators environment. Butterflies are sensitive to the slightest changes in nature and, thanks to their bright colors, are excellent indicators of the state of the environment. The richer our area is in various species of butterflies and the greater their number, the healthier natural environment. Swallowtail

What is lepidopterology?

What a difficult word! You will break your tongue while speaking. This is the strange name of the science of butterflies. And scientists - specialists in butterflies - are called lepidopterologists.

Butterfly Science! Are they worth starting a whole science about them? But listen.

Scientists of all countries have been studying butterflies for a long time. Others give butterflies years, or even a lifetime.

And here's what's interesting: not only lepidopterists are involved in them, but also people working in a field that seems to be very far from butterflies. Did you know that the famous chemist Butlerov and academic physiologist Pavlov were lovers and collectors of butterflies?

Butterflies are studied in different ways: some sit in laboratories over microscopes, while others travel around the world in search of the desired species. They wander, exposing their lives to dangers - after all, the real kingdom of butterflies is the wilds of Indonesia, the forests of the Amazon, central Africa. But why should they be studied anyway?

According to the science of butterflies, among them there are many of our true friends who give us silk and flakes, pollinate useful plants, enlivening our gardens, fields, forests and mountains with their beautiful wings.

Among the butterflies there are many of our sworn enemies, destroying our crops, destroying our gardens and orchards.

Do we need to know the lifestyle of our friends in order to help them? Necessary!

Is it necessary to know the habits of our enemies in order to successfully fight them? Necessary!

But that is not all!

A scientist-geographer will look at a different butterfly and say: - Now it's clear to me. These two islands once formed one whole: the same butterflies fly on them.

The climatologist will look and exclaim: - Here is another proof! The Arctic is getting warmer. southern views butterflies move north.

The aircraft designer will look: - It is necessary to create aircraft with fluttering wings. Butterfly plane.

The artist will look, he will be delighted: - What a wonderful drawing! It should be used for coloring fabrics.

Look ... but, perhaps, that's enough. You already understood that butterflies need to be studied.

And there are a lot of butterflies. Butterfly science says there are 130,000 of them. different types on our planet. And there are few lepidopterologists.

And here amateurs work to help them - collectors of butterflies. People of all ages and occupations, schoolchildren, students devote their leisure time to a wonderful pastime - collecting butterflies.

Here I am, collecting butterflies for forty years. I have a large collection of butterflies: several thousand of them are placed in boxes with glass lids. Under each butterfly is a label; on it is small but clearly written the place and date of the capture of the insect. This label is the butterfly's passport. It gives it scientific value.

Butterfly catching is a kind of sport. Where have I not been with a net in my hands! And in the tundra of Siberia, and in the desert Central Asia, and in the steppes, and in the mountains. There were funny incidents with me, but there were also dangerous adventures.

When I am out of town, every butterfly excursion turns into an interesting crowded expedition. Time flies... Some of the guys who helped me with fishing have already graduated from the university and have become real lepidopterologists, there are those who are still studying at school, but are already seriously preparing to enter the biological faculty in order to study the science of butterflies and explore their numerous kingdom.

In conclusion, I will quote the words of the zoologist-geneticist Sergei Sergeevich Chetverikov. He wrote to me a month before his death:

“How willingly I would go again now, despite my 78 years, to a new area, so that at the end of my life, at least once again, experience the excitement from which you choke when you first go fishing in a new unfamiliar area, promising unseen and not caught before butterflies…”

I can fully confirm his words.

Many are interested in the question of who is an entomologist. Is it a profession or rather a vocation? After all, it is difficult to imagine a person who makes a living by catching and then studying insects. It is also important how relevant in modern world this specialty. Especially considering the fact that every year the range, and with it the population of insects, is rapidly declining.

Let's start with what does the profession of an entomologist mean? First of all, this is a scientist who is impeccably versed in various types of insects, knows their habits and habitats.

How to become an entomologist?

Naturally, you can master this science on your own by reading books about insects, as well as studying the works published in scientific publications. But it will turn out to become only an amateur entomologist, because to get a real position you need a diploma.

Profession entomologist: what does this specialist do?

In general, this profession can be divided into two large groups: general and applied. And although they are both derivatives of the same science, the difference in their application is very great.

General entomology is the study of all insects without exception. Experts in this field travel to all corners of the world in order to look for new species of beetles, monitor the population of butterflies, catalog endangered subspecies of dragonflies, and so on. There are also scientists dedicated to general entomology. These are pioneers in the world of insects, whose main desire is the knowledge of everything new.

But an entomologist is a many-sided profession, as proof of this, its practical direction. The specialists of this group are engaged in the study of insect pests, as well as the development of methods to combat them. Including with ticks and mosquitoes, which are carriers of many infections.

Relevance on the labor market

Where to look for work for those who deserve it honorary title entomologist? This profession is not very popular, so a lot depends on the place of residence, region, as well as the narrow specialty that a person received at a university.

In particular, general entomologists are better off looking for a position at an institute or university where they can devote themselves entirely to the study of insects. Having gained experience, you can compete for a place in a research center, which will open up an even wider range of opportunities for a scientist (including business trips abroad).

In addition, entomologists are needed in disinfection services, whose duties include the destruction of pests. Also good specialist can always count on a place in agricultural sector, because their knowledge of methods of protecting crops from insects is highly valued there.

Butterflies are beautiful creatures. I think everyone knows what a butterfly looks like and probably met this terrible beast =)

These unique creations are the second largest pollinators after bees.

The science that studies butterflies is called lepidopterology. An entomologist who studies butterflies is called a lepidopterist (from Latin name order of butterflies - Lepidoptera, which translates as "lepidoptera"). A lepidopterist is a person who is simply fond of butterflies.

The largest night butterfly in the world - This is the peacock-eye Atlas (Attacus Atlas). Its wingspan is over 30 cm and it is often mistaken for a bird.

Basically, most butterflies have a short life - only a few days. However, there are instances with rather long life cycle: The Brixton butterfly is long-lived, its cycle lasts up to 10 months.

A female butterfly can lay over 1,000 eggs in her short life.

Butterflies literally work wonders. The species Parnassius arcticus lives in Siberia near the Arctic Circle. It flies to places where snow and ice never melt. Its close relative Parnassius bannyngtoni from the Himalayas is the highest mountain butterfly in the world. It can be found, rising even 6000 meters above sea level.

In the pigeon butterfly (Zizula hylax), which lives in Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Arabia and tropical zone Asia and Australia, the length of the forewing is 6 mm. This is the smallest butterfly in the world.

In addition to what we are used to tropical butterflies, there are still arctic butterflies. They are inconspicuous in appearance, their wings are not bright, but whitish or almost transparent, as if glass. Several species of butterflies that live on the Canadian island of Queen Elizabeth, 750 kilometers from the North Pole, can be called real polar explorers.

The maximum speed this little creature can reach is 12 miles per hour, but there are species that reach the mark of 50 km/h (31 mph). The fastest flight of butterflies of the hawk family.

by the most amazing fact about these creatures is that butterflies need solar heat in order to fly.

The most common butterfly in Russia and Siberia is the Peacock eye. Due to its original pattern, it is difficult to confuse it with any other: the upper part of the wing has a cherry-brown color and a spot in the form of an eye, which is characteristic of this species, while the bottom is completely black-brown.

The life cycle of these creatures consists of four phases: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult (butterfly).

A butterfly lays its offspring in one place for many years in a row.

Butterflies never sleep.

The most complex organ of these amazing creatures- eyes. They are made up of 6,000 tiny pieces called lenses.

Butterflies are ancient creatures. Their images are present on Egyptian frescoes, which are more than 2.5 thousand years old.

Butterflies are one of the most common collectibles.

In the world there is more than one species of these insects, which can rightfully be considered the rarest. One of them is the sailing ship of Queen Alexandra - largest butterfly planets.

It is possible to find only on the territory papua new guinea and thanks to collectors, this species is on the verge of extinction.

There are several types of these beautiful creatures, which for the entire cycle of imago ( last stage life) do not eat at all. Such individuals live due to the energy accumulated during the period when the butterfly was still a caterpillar.

The Blue Dwarf is considered to be the smallest butterfly in the world, with a wingspan of only 1.4 cm.

IN tropical forests There is a species of butterflies of the New and Old Worlds, the males of which feed on the tears of animals.

At brazilian butterflycalligo another way to protect. Seeing a bird, it turns over, showing the enemy the wrong side of its wings.

The enemy has no choice but to retreat hastily.

It's all about the pattern on the wings. This is an image of an owl with a sharp beak and big eyes.

Well, the owl worst enemy birds.

Female butterflies generally live longer and longer than male butterflies. Something like people ;-)

Butterflies are great stress relievers. The doctors of Stockholm are convinced of this. The clinics of this city have greenhouses with butterflies and flowers, where patients successfully undergo treatment for stress.

Butterflies are nearsighted!

It turns out that the secret of the butterfly is hidden precisely in its scales on the wings. They support temperature balance, as well as increase flight performance.

But with blood circulation, everything is simple. No heart, no veins and no arteries. All this is replaced by a vessel located in the abdomen, passing into the head in the form of a tube.

The pattern on the wings of a butterfly is unique, just like human fingerprints.

Only the Dead Head hawk moth (Acherontia atropos) has a special “speech” organ located in the pharynx. This butterfly, with anxiety or a sense of danger, can squeak.

Butterflies weigh about as much as two rose petals.

Butterfly migration

Among African butterflies, Catopsilia florella makes the longest migrations. Every year from December to February, its representatives, inhabiting the arid regions of the Sahel, fly south in tens of millions. Destination - Zaire - a few thousand kilometers from the start.

Unlike migratory species temperate latitudes migration is caused not by the onset of spring, but by the beginning of the rainy season in the south: at this time, many flowers will bloom there, which will provide food for the butterflies. They fly in whole clouds up to 20 long and up to 5 kilometers wide.

If such a flock descends to the ground, it is quite capable of turning off car engines! With the return of the dry season, the butterflies head back to the Sahel. Other populations of this species migrate in a similar way, but they fly out from southern Africa (Cape Province of South Africa) and head to the northwest.

Migratory behavior is uncommon in butterflies; it is known only in 200 out of 18,000 diurnal species, and only two dozen of them are comparable in extent and regularity of their flights to Catopsilia florella.

P.S. Interesting fact: During the winter in Southern California, tourists are shown butterfly trees covered with monarch butterflies resting after a long flight from North America. The branches of these trees sag under the weight of a huge number of butterflies! It is impossible to disturb the monarchs - an impressive fine is due for this.

✴“Lepidopterology is the name of the science of butterflies” ///from the Internet/✴

Butterflies are born to die, giving life to a new generation. Most of them live only a few days, with the exception of the Monarch butterfly, which can live up to six months.

“We wouldn’t consider them so beautiful if they didn’t fly. Or if they flew straight and fast like bees. Or if they bite" /Primo Levi/

Butterflies are the second largest pollinators after bees. Today on the globe there are about 165,000 species of butterflies, and every year entomologists make new discoveries.

Butterflies taste food by standing on it. This is because their taste sensors are in their feet.

Butterfly flight speed sometimes exceeds 60 km/h. The fastest flight of butterflies of the hawk family.

Scientists have found that the first night butterflies appeared about 250 million years ago, while day butterflies are only 40 million years old. Many of these winged insects, similar to modern ones, lived on our planet already 30-40 million years ago.

The largest night butterfly in the world is Attacus Atlas. With a wingspan of 30 cm, it is often mistaken for a bird.

Among all 165,000 Lepidoptera species known to us, the smallest is Stigmella ridiculosa, which lives in the Canary Islands. The wingspan and body length are about 2 mm.

Some butterflies pretend to be dead when attacked by predators.

Butterflies possess amazing ability find "spouses" at large distances, given their small size. And, as a rule, this distance reaches several kilometers.

If in Europe they only enjoy the beauty of butterflies, then in China, South America and India they know how to cook and eat with pleasure.

Butterflies can't hear, but they can sense vibration, which works better when they need to hide from predators.

For the title of rare butterfly several species claim, including the largest of all butterflies, the sailboat (or birdwing) of Queen Alexandra. She lives in Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, this butterfly has been hunted too actively by collectors, so it is on the verge of extinction.

Moth The desert yucca (yucca moth) is the sole pollinator of flowering yucca cacti. Pollination occurs in the following way. A butterfly collects pollen from one cactus in its mouth and carries it to another cactus, flying to the smell of flowers. Upon arrival, she unerringly unloads pollen in the right place to set seeds. Here, the butterfly lays three eggs, and its caterpillars feed on cactus seeds, which were formed as a result of pollination. They eat a small fraction of the seeds, most of the seeds are preserved and give life to new plants.

Among moth butterflies (Pyralididae) there are those that feed on animal food, and some of them have adaptations to living in aquatic environment they are able to live underwater. Only the Dead Head hawk moth (Acherontia atropos) has a special “speech” organ located in the pharynx. This butterfly, with anxiety or a sense of danger, can squeak.

Some butterflies never eat because they don't have a mouth. They live on the energy they have accumulated in the form of caterpillars.

Butterflies have an amazing appetite, some of them can drink a sugar solution in an amount that exceeds their own weight twice.

Present among butterflies, as an exception, are predators, for example, Calyptra eustrigata, which live from India to Malaysia. These butterflies feed on the blood of animals, piercing their covers with a sharp proboscis, while females feed on the juice of fruits and plants.

Antarctica is the only continent on which Lepidoptera were not found.