Butterfl y Life Cycle Warm Winter Days Adult female butterfl ies seek out specifi c “host” plants on which While most butterfl y species spend the winter as eggs, caterpil- to lay their eggs. Some species of butterfl ies will lay eggs on many lars, or chrysalises, a few butterfl ies actually overwinter as adults, kinds of plants, while other butterfl ies require one certain plant spe- “hibernating” under loose tree bark cies. The caterpillars (larvae) hatch from the eggs, feed on the host until warm sunny days appear. plant, and eventually form chrysalises (pupae). Inside the chrysalis, On such days, you may take a stroll a caterpillar metamorphoses (pupates) into an adult butterfl y. The in the Forest and look for spe- butterfl y then emerges and seeks mates, food, and host plants to cies like American Snout and the continue the cycle. “anglewings” (Mourning Cloak, Eastern Comma, Question Mark). Host Plants in Duke Forest Many different kinds of plants in the Duke Forest are used as host Identifi cation Tips plants, including and hickory trees (hairstreaks, ), A good pair of close-focusing (to 6 feet or less) binoculars are hackberry trees (emperors, snouts, anglewings), milkweeds (Mon- very helpful for watching butterfl ies. Note the overall size, shape, Butterfl ies arch), violets (fritillaries), and various grasses and sedges (browns, colors, and pattern of the markings on the upperside and under- satyrs, many species of skippers). side if possible. Then consult a good fi eld guide such as Butterfl ies of the Through Binoculars: The East by Jeffrey Glassberg, or The Kaufman Nectar Plants in Duke Forest Focus Guide to Butterfl ies of North America by Jim Brock and Kenn While many species of butterfl ies breed in the Duke Forest, others Kaufman. Be sure to also note the time of year and consult this Duke Forest simply pass through in search of fl ower nectar or other resources. checklist to see which species are expected that season. Here are some examples of fl owers that are good nectar sources for butterfl ies in the Duke Forest: Butterfl y Collecting Collecting in Duke Forest is by permit only. Please contact the Butterfl ies (and moths) are classifi ed by scientists as in Spring Offi ce of the Duke Forest at 919-613-8013. the order (meaning “scaly-winged”). Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) At least 81 species of butterfl ies have been Blackberries (Rubus spp.) recorded in the Duke Forest. This is nearly Acknowledgements half of all butterfl y species regularly Summer Designed, developed and edited by Jeffrey S. Pippen (Nicholas occurring in the State of North Car- Elephant’s-foot (Elephantopus spp.) School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University). olina! Butterfl ies depend on plants, Dogbane ( cannabinum) Data compiled from Notes of the Butterfl ies of North Carolina, 12th and the diversity of vegetation and Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) Approximation by Harry LeGrand and Tom habitats in the Duke Forest results in a Mountain-mint ( spp.) Howard