Insect Study 



The Butterfly 

 I. Why is this butterfly called the black swallow-tail? 



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What is the 

 ground color of the wings? How many rows of yellow spots on the front 

 wings? Are they all the same shape? How are they arranged between 

 each two veins? Describe the hind wings. What colors are on them 

 that are not on the front wings? Describe where this color is placed. 

 Describe the eye-spot on the hind wing. Where is it? How do the 

 markings on the lower side of the wing differ from those above? How 

 does the ground color differ from the upper side? 



2. What is the color of the body of the butterfly? Has it any 

 marks? Has it the same number of legs as the Monarch? Describe its 

 antennae. Watch the butterfly getting nectar from the petunia blossom 

 and describe the tongue. Where is the tongue when not in use? 



3. How does the butterfly pass the winter? How does the mother 

 butterfly differ in size and in markings from her mate? 



"The 'caraway worms' were the ones that revealed to us the mystery of the pupa and 

 butterfly. We saw one climb tip the side of a house, and watched it as with many slow, 

 graceful movements of the head, it wove for itself the loop of silk which we called the 'swing' 

 and which held it in place after it changed to a chrysalis. We wondered why such a 

 brilltant caterpillar should change to such a dull-colored object, almost the color of the 

 clapboard against which it hung. Then, one day, we fotind a damp, crtimpled, black 

 butterfly hanging to the empty chrysalis skin, its wings 'all mussed' as we termed it; 

 and we gazed at it pityingly; but even as we gazed, the crumpled wings expanded and 

 then there came to our childish minds a dim realization of the miracle wrotight within 

 that little, dingy, empty shell." 



—How TO Know the Butterflies, Comstock. 



