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One of the most beautiful butterflies that exist on Earth is the butterfly urticaria. The name comes from the word "nettle", as this plant is edible for it. Moreover, it pupates on the nettle leaves.
What does a butterfly look like?
Despite its small size, it is easy to notice due to the variegated color: its wings have a red or brick shade with black spots, and at the base the wings are dark. Their edge is notched and has a sharp ledge.
Males are almost indistinguishable from females, and across the front wings you can also notice a wide, bright strip. As for the bottom wings,they are not at all distinguished by their dark brown color. On the back of the pair you can find blue spots of the lunar form, which sharply distinguish them from other types of butterflies. The antennae are clavate, and the eyes can distinguish shades of scarlet. The belly and breast are dark in color, usually covered with gray hairs.
Where does the butterfly hives live?
Representatives of this species settled not only all of Europe, but also Asia, the territory of Siberia, the Far East, along with China and Japan. Sometimes it can be seen in Korea and Vietnam. In Russia, she lives almost everywhere except in the northern territories, as well as in the countries of the former CIS. Kamchatka, Magadan and Yakutia are suitable territories for it.
Usually it lives in homestead land, city parks and meadows, in forests; mountains are accessible to it, for example, the Alps and the Himalayas, where it rises to a height above 5 km above sea level.
How does a butterfly hives develop?
In early spring, the males begin to look for a female to mate. Caring is done peacefully, without attempting to harm others. When the sun shines brightly, the male flies up to the hives from behind and starts making sounds that signify the start of the mating games. They last for several hours, after which the butterflies, settled in trees, in caves or in attics, begin to lay yellowish eggs of 100-200 pieces in groups on the leaves of nettle.
In the period from May to June, the first dark-colored caterpillars begin to appear, with several yellow stripes on their backs; a little later, in mid-August, the second generation is born. It is noteworthy that on the leaves they live all together, preferring not to separate: special thorns help them to hold on. Caterpillars molt several times and after each molt they increase several times. When it is time to pupate, the caterpillars crawl away to quiet and secluded places, and if the leaves of the plants allow, they can do it right there.The pupa stage lasts two weeks. During this period, it hangs freely with its head down, until a small butterfly with miniature wings, not yet suitable for flying, develops from it. Mature individuals can fly from spring to the very end of autumn.
Do urticaria have enemies?
They, like all insects, have enemies that they better fear. So, rodents and birds feed on these butterflies. They survive the winter thanks to the color that masks them from their enemies, but often it does not help.
What eats butterfly urticaria?
In her diet includes a lot of plants: first of all, these are different types of nettle, hops and even hemp. She also often drinks birch sap and feeds on the nectar of plants.
Do related species have a butterfly?
What are the features of urticaria?
According to the behavior of this butterfly, it is possible to predict changes in the weather: so, if on a fine day it flies restlessly from side to side and searches for a secluded place, it will soon rain.
Urticaria move only on the middle and hind legs, as the front ones are modified: they are much shorter than the others, covered with long hairs, with which the butterflies sense what is happening. In addition, the limbs are necessary not for moving, but for a comfortable take-off and the next soft landing.
Video: butterfly urticaria (Aglais urticae)
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