I love butterflies. They are so beautiful.

Have you noticed that the upper side of their wings is more brightly colored than the underside? Also, male butterflies are generally more brightly colored than female butterflies. Coloring as well as patterns can make butterflies more difficult to see. This happens if they blend in with the things around them. This blending is called camouflage.

Butterfly wings have thousands of tiny colored scales on them. When you touch them, these scales can easily rub off on your skin. The scales do not hurt you but it can affect the butterflies ability to fly. So it is best to look but not touch.

When observing butterflies, notice the differences in the colors on the top and underside of their wings. When they are flying, their wings are outstretched so that their upper side is more visible. When they are stationary, they generally raise their wings so that only the underside is visible. It is in this position that a butterfly stands on a flower’s petal as it sips the sugary liquid called nectar from inside the flower.

While eating, the butterfly is more vulnerable to it prey, such as birds. But the coloring of the underside of a butterfly’s wings helps to camouflage the butterfly. Again, camouflage means to blend in with things around it so that the butterfly is less visible to its predators, such as birds.  (A predator feeds on its prey.)

Note: Butterflies do not try to camouflage themselves. It is just one way that their designs and colors protect them. Not being a supporter of evolution, I see this as one of God’s wonderful designs.

The handsome boy holding the colorful  butterfly wings is my 4 year-old great-grandson. His sweet smile lets you know that he is having fun. While the craft was entertaining, he and his twin sister were also interested in the lesson about butterflies.

See Butterfly Wings for teaching tips, craft materials, and preparation for this lesson.

Using this book as a guide, you and your favorite budding scientists can have fun exploring the world while learning about science and developing important science process skills. You may think it’s hard to get young children interested in science, but just watch their eyes light up when they make things like glittering butterfly wings.

Top photo by Timothy K Hamilton