Butterfly Magnifier

Antennae
An adult butterfly has a pair of match-shaped antennae. The end of each antenna is knobbed, being thicker than the rest of the antenna. These antennae are the reasons butterflies can smell the fragrance of flowers from a mile away! Not only do a butterfly’s antennae give it an excellent sense of smell, they also help maintain its balance.

Compound eyes
The compound eyes of an adult butterfly are made up of thousands of tiny eyes. The images received by each tiny eye are integrated to form a complete image. Butterflies can see from all 360 degrees and are very sensitive to any movements in their surroundings.

The colours that humans can see are made of three primary colours: red, green, and blue. Butterflies, however, can see blue and yellow, and ultraviolet light (which human eyes can’t see). Due to these differences, butterflies and humans see different images. For instance, butterflies can distinguish the ultraviolet light patterns on a flower, which can guide them to nectar. Butterflies perceive a greater range of wavelengths of light than any other animal species in the world.

Mouthpart
A butterfly’s mouthpart, called a proboscis, is made of two long, narrow semicircular tubes. It’s used like a straw to suck up liquids such as flower nectar, tree sap and the juices of rotting fruit. Coiled and tucked under a butterfly’s lower lip in its resting position, the proboscis only uncoils when it is time to feed.

Wings
A butterfly’s wings allow it to fly and balance its body. The patterns we see on a butterfly’s wings are actually made of scales. These scales can form a variety of different patterns and stripes in beautiful colours, some of which are otherwise only found in gemstones. The arrangement of these scales is similar to that of roof tiles in ancient Chinese architecture, making them waterproof.

The wings of some male butterflies (like Blue Tiger and Common Tiger) are even equipped with a “fragrance sac” on their scales, which can emit fragrance that attracts female butterflies.

Legs
A butterfly’s legs serve a variety of functions including climbing, standing, walking, and even tasting! With an abundance of sensors for tasting on its front legs, a butterfly can distinguish between different tastes. For instance, when looking for a suitable place to lay eggs, a mother butterfly uses its front legs to find the right plants.