Butterflies, or mariposas, are among the most captivating creatures in the natural world. With their delicate wings, intricate patterns, and graceful flight, they have long inspired awe and curiosity. In this article, we’ll explore them further, and share a few fascinating details about these creatures.
Scientifically, butterflies (blue, below) are classified under the order Lepidoptera, which they share with moths (orange, below).
Butterflies can be distinguished by their club-shaped antennae, vibrant colors, and diurnal activity patterns, whereas moths generally have feathery antennae, duller colors, and are nocturnal. As pollinators and key players in ecosystems, butterflies aren’t just beautiful — they are a crucial component of biodiversity.
The life cycle of a butterfly is a remarkable journey of transformation, known as complete metamorphosis. It consists of four distinct stages:
This cycle showcases the complexity and resilience of life. The ability to transform entirely from one form to another throughout a short life cycle is a fascinating adaptation, and constantly inspires researchers to try to understand what stressors of evolution led to such a fascinating life!
Butterflies play pivotal roles in ecosystems, primarily as pollinators and as a source of food for other species. As pollinators, they help sustain flowering plants, which are vital for various ecosystems. On the other hand, at different stages of their life cycle, butterflies serve as prey.
Caterpillars provide nutrition for birds, reptiles, and small mammals, while birds, bats, and predatory insects often hunt adult butterflies.
An example of their ecological importance can be seen in Monteverde’s forests, where butterflies like the glasswing (Greta oto) pollinate native plants, ensuring the propagation of vital flora.
While not all butterfly species migrate, some, like the monarch butterfly, undertake incredible journeys spanning thousands of kilometers. Monarchs begin their migration in the northern United States and Canada during the fall, traveling to overwintering sites in Mexico. Some continue their journey further south, reaching as far as Costa Rica.
Up in Monteverde, the conditions are perfect year-round for butterflies, meaning we have few migratory species, but they’re still affected by the seasons.
During the dry season, butterflies are more active and visible, taking advantage of abundant flowers. In contrast, the green season provides lush vegetation and a quieter habitat for reproduction.
Some species of butterflies that you can spot on your travels to Monteverde include Blue Morpho Butterfly, Glass Wings Butterfly, Heliconius Butterflies, Caligo Butterfly (Also called Owl Butterfly), The Malachite Butterfly, and many more.
The Morpho butterfly, one of Monteverde’s most famous butterflies, which is iconic for its striking turquoise wings, doesn’t actually have blue wings at all. In actuality, the wings of a Morphos butterfly are comprised of tiny scales.
If you were to look at a cross-section of those scales, each is shaped like a tiny pine tree, and it is actually the sunlight refracting off of these scales that make the wings look blue.
If the wings get wet, for example, the spaces between the scales would fill up with water, interrupting the refraction, and their wings would appear brown!
Adaptations such as mimicry and camouflage help butterflies evade predators, and one of the best examples is found right here in Monteverde with the owl butterfly.
When its wings are spread, the owl butterfly’s eye-like patterns mimic larger animals, deterring potential threats. It may not look convincing to our eye, but here’s how this deterrent works for these butterflies.
In Monteverde, all butterflies face a wide variety of predators ranging from bats to herons, and from lizards to monkeys. However, nearly all of these animals are prey to the spectacled owl, the biggest owl found in Monteverde, which can be seen below.
See the resemblance? In the animal kingdom, when a prey animal spots the eyes of a predator, it may already be too late. So that split second where a lizard or small bird thinks they’re looking at an owl, rather than a butterfly, is enough to send them running and keep the owl butterfly safe for another day.
Monteverde’s forests are a haven for butterfly enthusiasts. The region’s unique climate and elevation create a mosaic of habitats, supporting a wide variety of butterfly species.
Costa Rica is home to an amazing array of species ranging from the tiniest butterfly in the world, the Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly (𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑠) which only grows to half an inch in size to the Caligo (or owl-wing) mentioned above is the largest measuring almost 8 inches.
For a full list of species with images, click here!
Local institutions, such as the Monteverde Butterfly Garden at Selvatura Park, provide invaluable insights into the lives of these insects.
These garden experiences aren’t just for tourists though! By studying the differentiation in behaviors between butterflies in Monteverde and Cloudbridge Nature Reserve which is much further south, scientists learn how butterfly activity changes with elevation and season, emphasizing their adaptability and ecological importance.
Butterflies are not just symbols of transformation; they are vital components of Monteverde’s ecosystems, with fascinating journeys over their lifetimes. After all, the life of a butterfly is one of change and growth. Of adaptation and survival. As such they are a species that should be revered and valued for so much more than their beauty.
Though, they are certainly beautiful as you watch them flutter past, their wings shimmering and multi-hued in the sunlight.
If you’d like to spend time marveling at these winged wonders, the Ocotea Team would be happy to help you book a tour, and discover these and many other creatures of the cloud forest.