A butterfly’s compound eyes are made up of thousands of ommatidia, each of which senses light and images and provides the butterfly with a mosaic view of the world around them. Butterflies can see a nearly 360 degree radius without moving their heads. 200 million years of lepidoptera evolution has created an incredibly complex insect. There are some 15,000 species of butterflies with specially developed sensory organs, feeding abilities, complete metamorphosis and for some species, the ability to fly some 3,000 miles that are all the work of countless adaptations to the environment. These fantastic and fascinating creatures are even more fantastic and fascinating when one looks even closer at their anatomy.
For the next several posts we’ll take a look at how a butterfly is put together and uniquely adapted for the challenges of their environments.
A butterfly body is composed of three main segments: the head, the thorax and the abdomen. We’ll cover each of these sections as a separate post and include all of the body parts that are attached to that segment. After that we will focus on other topics relating to butterfly anatomy.
If we haven’t answered a question you might have, please drop us a comment along the way and tell us what you would like to know more about.
About 150 butterfly species are found throughout Florida. 15 of those species are found only in extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Continued expansion of urban development and widespread use of pesticides used to control mosquito populations have put many of these species in jeopardy.
This is part six of a multi-part series covering Florida’s imperiled butterflies.
The Schaus Swallowtail (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) was first discovered at the turn of the last century in the Miami area and just 76 years later it was first listed as a threatened species. By 1984, the drastic reduction of this species’ habitat caused it to be upgraded to endangered. Once found from Miami south to Lower Matecumbe Key, this butterfly is now found only from Key Biscayne Park to northern Key Largo and Upper Matecumbe Key. The last Schaus Swallowtail was observed on the Florida mainland in 1924.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew gravely impacted the remaining habitat of this butterfly and there were as few as several dozen Schaus Swallowtails left in the wild. A captive breeding and release program was undertaken and the species reached a high of 1,200 to 1,400 individuals in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, Hurricane Georges struck the areas where this population resided, followed by several years of drought. By 2002 the population was estimated to be about 190-230 adults in the wild.
The Schaus Swallowtail resides only in hardwood hammocks and their larvae feed on hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) , torchwood (Amyris elemifera) and wild lime (Xanthoxylum fagara). Adult butterflies nectar on flowering plants such as guava, wild tamarind, and cheese shrub. Ongoing projects in the Florida Keys and Miami area seek to create new habitat for this species by planting larval hosts and adult nectar sources on private and public lands.
Currently, the Schaus Swallowtail has a conservation status of T1- Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences, or very few remaining individuals), or because of some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable to extinction. (Critically endangered throughout its range).
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) are native to the Southeast region of North America. Growing to 20-30 meters in height, Southern Magnolia have large and fragrant white blossoms in the late Spring. The tree has a leathery evergreen leaf with an under-side that is yellowish-brown and slightly furry to the touch.
Magnolia is an ancient genus of flowering trees that evolved before bees and have flowers designed to be pollinated by beetles. The flowers of these trees have tough carpels that can resist damage done by beetles walking and crawling through the flowers. Found throughout the Americas, southeast Asia and the West Indies, magnolias were named for the French Botanist Pierre Magnol (1638-1715) who 
introduced the concept of grouping plants by family based upon common combinations of morphological characters.
Our Historic Tree Grove at MOSI is host to two magnolia trees and others can be found planted around the MOSI property.
The small but spectacular Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba) is blooming at last in the Tree Grove at MOSI. Several of these plants were donated to the garden last year, and were planted on the trellis near the gazebo. This year, they are finally happy to enough to begin blooming, and the blooms were worth the wait!
Gloriosa Lily is native to Africa, and is in fact the national plant of Zimbabwe. It’s a tuberous plant, with a root that looks similar to a sweet potato. The plant itself is a “scandent” vine, meaning it climbs by leaftip tendrils. The flowers point down, with petals curving up and back, and are very long-lasting.
While becoming more popular in the nursery trade, Gloriosa Lily should be used with caution in the landscape as it is extremely poisonous. One-tenth of an ounce of the tuberous root is said to be enough to kill an adult human. All parts of the plants, including leaves, flowers, and berries, contain the chemical Colchicine, which has medical applications but is very toxic in its natural state. Do not plant Gloriosa Lily where it could be consumed by children or pets.
Gloriosa Lily can be grown outdoors in zones 9 – 10, though it may die back after a hard freeze. The University of Florida IFAS Extension has published a great article with detailed information on successfully growing Gloriosa Lily – click here to learn more if you’d like to try this species in your own yard.
About 150 butterfly species are found throughout Florida. 15 of those species are found only in extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Continued expansion of urban development and widespread use of pesticides used to control mosquito populations have put many of these species in jeopardy.
This is part five of a multi-part series covering Florida’s imperiled butterflies.
Florida White (Appias drusilla) is a gorgeous white butterfly with bright pale blue tips on each antenna. This species hosts on capers such as Spider-flower (Cleome spp.) and Clammyweed (Polanisia spp.) and prefers to fly in shady hardwood hammocks. Now mostly found in the Florida Keys and coastal areas of Miami-Dade County and Monroe County, this species may occasionally stray to the Tampa Bay or Gainesville areas.
The Florida population of this species has a conservation status of S2 meaning that it is imperiled throughout the state of Florida. Although secure or even abundant in other parts of its range, this species is dwindling in Florida and there may be less that 300 adults in the wild at any given time. Populations of this species fluctuate widely.
The Florida White may be helped by the preservation of hardwood hammocks and the avoidance of mosquito fogging near locations of known populations of this butterfly.
For some photos of this butterfly species, check out Greg Lasley’s Nature Photography.
Baldwin’s Eryngo (Eryngium baldwinii) is a diminutive and easy to overlook flower. Found along the edges of marshes, in swamps and wet pine flatwoods, this groundcover grows in long runners and stays within just a few inches of the ground. The tiny individual flowers of this plant can be attractive to small butterflies and pollinators. This species is also listed as a possible larval host for the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly.
Baldwin’s Eryngo is native to Florida and Georgia. There are several other species of Eryngo found native to the state of Florida. The genus Eryngium is a member of the Umbelliferae (carrot) family and contains some 230 species worldwide.
A large mat of this flower can be found blooming at the wetland entrance to the Backwoods Forest Preserve at MOSI. This species and several other groundcovers have woven themselves into a blooming carpet near the boardwalk over the wetlands. Small patches of fleabane can also be found blooming in this area.
The name for the genus Eryngium derives from the Greek for "prickly plant" referring to the thistle-like leaves near the blooms of this genus. This species in particular is named for American physician and botanist William Baldwin (1779 – 1819) who collected thousands of botanical specimens in his travels. Although he only published two papers, his herbarium specimens were of great importance to botanists Asa Gray and John Torrey. His collection eventually passed to the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Science.
Thryallis (Galphimia gracilis) is a semi-tropical shrub native to eastern Mexico. It’s beloved by Florida gardeners for the brilliant yellow blooms it produces from late spring through the first frost of winter. It’s also very easy to grow – all it asks for is lots of sunshine and well-drained soil. It can grow from 4–6 feet tall, although a hard freeze can kill it back to the ground, where it will re-grow from the roots when warm weather returns.
There are several thryallis shrubs in the gardens here at MOSI. One is located in the Tree Grove near the Clara Barton redbud. This thryallis receives full sun all day long, and is full and covered in flowers from head to foot. Another thryallis is planted in part shade near the small pond, and is a little “leggier” and slower to flower, as is the habit with thryallis. Both tend to take a little frost damage in the winter, but return quickly every spring to fill their part of the garden with color.
About 150 butterfly species are found throughout Florida. 15 of those species are found only in extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Continued expansion of urban development and widespread use of pesticides used to control mosquito populations have put many of these species in jeopardy.
This is part four of a multi-part series covering Florida’s imperiled butterflies.
The Florida Duskywing (Ephyriades brunnea floridensis) is a dark colored butterfly measuring about an inch and a half to two inches in wingspan.
Males of the species are nearly black in color and the upper sides of the wings have an iridescent sheen and a circle of transparent white spots near the wing tips of the fore-wing. Females, like the one pictured above, are brown with more spots on the fore-wing and a violet iridescent sheen.
The larvae host on Key byrsonima (Byrsonima lucida) and Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra) and they can be found in rare Tropical pine-Sabal palm scrub habitats of extreme south Florida and the Florida Keys.
The species has a conservation status of N2: NatureServe National Conservation Status Rank (NRank) – Imperiled. Imperiled in the nation because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation.
Scrub habitats are unusual because they were situated high enough that these areas became islands when the rest of Florida was inundated in ancient times. On these islands, plant and animal life became increasingly specialized as species adapted to the dry and isolated conditions of the scrub habitats. About 40 to 60% of species found in these habitats are endemic to those locations and are found no where else in the world.
Because they are not susceptible to regular flooding, scrub habitats have become prized for development. As a result of regular development, Florida’s scrub habitats have become some of the most endangered ecosystems in the state.
When planning our new bird garden, Ornamental Millet seemed like a natural fit. Pennisetum glaucum comes in several varieties, and we have two in the bird garden at BioWorks. ‘Jester’ has deep green and purple leaves with purple seed heads. ‘Jade Princess’ is a vivid green with deep reddish-orange seed heads.
Both varieties grow to about 3 feet, and are said to be hardy to zone 8. If these plants don’t survive a winter freeze, there’s a good chance they will re-seed themselves. They like full sun and will tolerate dry conditions once they are well-established.
Millet is a common food for humans and birds alike. The millet most commonly produced for human consumption is Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum). Birds who are known to be drawn to millet include doves, sparrows and juncos, cardinals, painted buntings, and indigo buntings. We look forward to seeing which bird species enjoy the seeds provided by our new millet plants.
That perfect pop of pink currently blooming in the beds by the front walk are Cosmos bipinnatus, a garden favorite all across the country. These particular plants are part of the ‘Sonata’ series, a low growing variety that is more compact and floriferous than its tall and sometimes gangly relatives. All Cosmos are wonderful butterfly nectar plants, and these beds filled with cosmos, Salvia farinacea, angelonia, Mexican Sage, and marigolds are a constant draw for butterflies in the area.
C. bipinnatus is native to Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., but it grows well anywhere it can receive full sun and well-drained soil. It’s wonderfully tolerant of many conditions, which is probably why gardeners love it so well.
The color varieties of this species usually range from white to dark pink with all the colors in between. Another species, Cosmos sulphureus, is available in yellow and orange hues, so there are cosmos out there to fit in nearly any garden bed.
The botanical name Cosmos is derived from the Greek kosmos, which means orderly or harmonious. The neatly ordered petals of the flowers are thought to have inspired this name. Bipinnatus indicates that the leaflets of this plant are arranged in opposite pairs.
About 150 butterfly species are found throughout Florida. 15 of those species are found only in extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Continued expansion of urban development and widespread use of pesticides used to control mosquito populations have put many of these species in jeopardy.
This is part four of a seven part series covering Florida’s imperiled butterflies.
The Florida Leafwing (Anaea troglodyta floridalis) is a medium sized butterfly endemic to Florida. The top sides of their wings are red to reddish brown and the undersides are tan to gray. The wing edges have a cryptic shape that helps this butterfly blend into foliage and look just like a dead leaf.
Adults tend to feed on rotting fruit, dung and other non-nectar food sources. Males often perch and wait for females and this butterfly is often found hanging upside down from branches which helps to further impress upon predators the appearance of a dead leaf.
This species is considered critically imperiled and extremely rare. Surviving only in a few pink rockland habitats, this butterfly is especially in danger of extinction because of habitat loss. In recent survey efforts, this species has been found less frequently than before, even in areas where it was once fairly common such as Big Pine Key. It is estimated that there are as few as 100-800 adults surviving in the wild at any one time and that this butterfly may now be more scarce than the endangered Schaus Swallowtail.
This species is not currently listed in Florid or in the United States and an endangered species and no management plan has been created for its survival. With so few butterflies surviving in the wild, this population will likely become extinct without special assistance and management.
You can read more about this species and survey efforts at the US Fish and Wildlife Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Form for the Florida Leafwing butterfly.
Like the similarly rare Bartram’s Hairstreak butterfly, this unusual butterfly species is only found in pine rockland ecosystems and hosts only on pineland croton (Croton linearis). The pine rockland is a particularly rare ecosystem in which South Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) dominates the canopy while palms and other hardwoods form a sub-canopy. These small forests occur in Big Cypress National Preserve, the lower Florida Keys, and along the Miami Rock Ridge where limestone outcroppings provide a relatively high elevation.
High points in the landscape like pine rocklands were often developed early and then logged intensively before the 1960’s. Maintained by regular wildfires, these areas have a broad range of plant and animal diversity that occur no where else. Pine rocklands are fragile ecosystems susceptible to changes brought on by development and climate change.
Learn more about Florida’s pine rocklands at the Institute for Regional Conservation.
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| Photo Credit: BirdsandBlooms.com |
