Butterflies are insects in the order Lepidoptera. They have four wings covered in tiny scales and a long, coiled mouthpart called a proboscis for sipping nectar. Most butterflies are active during the day and often have bright colors and patterns that can help them attract mates, hide from predators, or warn that they taste bad.
They grow through complete metamorphosis: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult. Caterpillars eat host plants to store energy, then transform inside the chrysalis into winged adults. Some butterflies migrate long distances, like the monarch in North America. Many species face threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, and planting native flowers can support them.