Butterfly marigold - description, habitat, species

One of the most common species of Lepidoptera are marigold butterflies. They also have another name - satirids. For a long time, according to the opinion of many domestic entomologists, marigolds were defined as the subfamily nymphalid. Foreign science supported this view. However, not so long ago, experts reviewed the position established in classical science. Nowadays, due to the large number of distinctive features, marigolds are considered a separate family.

Insect description

The size of representatives of this family of Lepidoptera is usually medium, sometimes small. A distinctive feature of insects are short antennae, having a small thickening at the ends. This fact makes them similar to microscopic clubs. The shape of the rather wide wings of the insect is rounded. Their color is ordinary and has no bright differences.This tendency is even in color. Thus, the area of ​​the wing is painted in different shades of brown and gray colors. On such a neutral background, the areas of black and white colors that make up the wing pattern characteristic of the family stand out and attract attention. They resemble the eyes of an animal.

This color plays the role of camouflage attire. It does not allow insects to hide, but it helps to divert the attention of the natural enemy from body parts that play an important role in life. So, at first, the bird does not bite into the body of the insect, but into the white spot of the wing, which purposely attracts its attention. This allows the butterfly to remain, if not intact, but at least as unharmed as is necessary for the continuation of life. However, among the majority of velvet moths, which are inconspicuous in appearance, there are species that are gifted with a bright enough color.

Interesting fact! The territories of South America are inhabited by the species of velvet women, whose wings do not have scaly cut, which makes them look absolutely transparent. Only the hind wings of the specimens are decorated with the “calling card” of satirids — circles resembling the eyes of an animal.

The body of the butterfly is equipped with paws. Not all of them are developed and adapted to move. So, when walking, only the rear and middle legs are used. In turn, the front legs have abundant hair. It probably acts as a tactile organ.

The caterpillars hatched from eggs that precede the birth of the subtle butterfly are painted green. For protection by masking the body of the larvae are also covered with stripes.

Insect distribution area

Butterflies marigolds live in many parts of the world, which suggests their widespread occurrence. In general, in the global community of living organisms, there are about 2,400 species of lepidoptera of this family. More than 200 species inhabit the territory of the former Soviet Union of the Socialist Republics. Populations of marigolds can be found in the Arctic, and in the highlands, and in the tundra, and in the steppe zone.

You can see the marigold on the road or forest glade, butterflies are often found near the marshes. Favorable conditions for the life of insects have forests. There are populations that live in the tropics.

Interesting fact! The marigold butterfly has unique abilities to maintain an uneven flight trajectory. Her flutters are so chaotic that it is difficult for birds to catch what they have seen, and the direction of movement changes so often.

Insect transformation stages

The larvae that have emerged from the eggs usually continue to develop in the areas where the cereal crops grow. Some caterpillars prefer to dwell on fescue and bluegrass. During the pupal stage, the cocoon hangs from bottom to top.

The overwintering of most varieties of velveteen falls on the caterpillar stage. Occasionally in the cold season lay laid female eggs.Usually within one year only one clutch has time to develop to the last stage of the moth.

Types of satirid family

Let us turn to the most widespread species of butterflies in our country.

1. In the forest-steppe zones, one can meet such a representative of this family of lepidoptera as a chernushka butterfly. It is also called the coffee butterfly or League. A distinctive feature of the species is the color - the peephole characteristic of the wing pattern has a dark brown color. The wingspan of this elegant and fragile creation is capable of reaching 26 millimeters. Large chernushka populations are found in Ivan Chai, in meadows planted with clover. At the caterpillar stage, coffee butterflies prefer to live in a fescue.
2. Common in Russia is a butterfly called oxen. In the days of warm summer, almost everyone who left the walls of the house meets her. The wings of individuals are painted in the color of ground coffee and are not without a distinctive pattern for many species of the family - a spot in the form of an eye. The wingspan of individuals is 5 centimeters.The oxen males are different from females by a slightly blurred reddish ring surrounding the main “eye” pattern. In the light shades of green painted larvae.
3. The marigold living in the Far East received the name Diana. Its wingspan varies from 45 millimeters to 55 millimeters. The “highlight” of the species is a patterned band of a light color, as well as a bluish rim bordering the “eye”.