Butterflies can be seen in any natural conditions, on any continents. They are not present only in Antarctica. They are in impenetrable tropical forests, high in the mountains, and even near the North Pole. Some species of butterflies are found almost all over the globe. Many species, on the contrary, can be found only in one place – on one mountain, one island, etc. Better than other butterfly species, butterflies are studied in Europe. Europe is recognized as the birthplace of about 4,500 species of butterflies, of which more than 400 are day-time.
All butterflies are characterized by the presence of a long movable proboscis. It is formed by highly modified and elongated lower jaws and is adapted for sucking nectar from flowers. With its help, butterflies take nectar from flowers or suck out the juice flowing from the damaged trees and fruits. Day and night butterflies feed on liquid food, which they suck with a tubular proboscis. When the butterfly does not feed, it keeps the proboscis curled into a spiral under the head. It unfolds when the insect sucks food or water.
The length of the proboscis usually corresponds to the depth of the flower, the nectar of which the butterfly eats. Butterflies of different species differ in shape and length. For some tropical gourmets (Sphingidae) their length exceeds 25 cm. Flower nectar is the main source of nutrients for both day and night butterflies. Nectar-fed butterflies, flying from flower to flower, contribute to the pollination of plants. On their bodies and paws, the pollen sticks from one flower and is transferred to the other. Fodder plants (a plant that harvests nectar or butterfly juice) for different species are not the same.
