Butterfly

Find out everything there is to know about butterflies and stay updated on the latest news with comprehensive articles, interactive features and butterfly pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these fascinating insects as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about butterflies.

Related Topics: Birds, Insects, Biodiversity

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The Oldest Butterflies on Earth Had No Flowers to Feed On

January 10, 2018 | Article

Butterflies and moths are so ancient, they lived before the existence of flowers, a new study finds.
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In Photos: Beautiful Butterflies of the American Deserts

March 25, 2017 | Image Album

By mid-February in the three great hot and dry deserts of the American West, wildflowers turn stark desert landscapes into a sea of color.
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Photos: Butterflies Snag Goo from Unwitting Ants

June 25, 2016 | Image Album

Stunning new pictures reveal kleptomaniac butterflies in the Amazon forest stealing ant goo.
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Gorgeous Images Reveal Parasitic Plant in 3-Way Symbiotic Relationship

December 30, 2015 | Article

An ant, a caterpillar, and a parasitic plant all interact in a strange web of mutual benefit in the Amazon jungle, new research suggests.
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Sir Butterfly! New Species Named for David Attenborough

December 02, 2015 | Article

The striking new species is the first butterfly to be named for the British broadcaster.
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In Photos: The Spectacular Migration of Monarch Butterflies

October 18, 2015 | Article

Many species of birds and even mammals, such as the great whales, travel thousands of miles to over-winter in warmer climates. Check out these photos of one of the most spectacular migrations.
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Animal Sex: How Butterflies Do It

August 02, 2015 | Article

When it comes to sex, are butterflies as nurturing and gentle as they appear to be, or is there a more aggressive side to their mating?
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Monarch Butterflies Considered for Endangered Species Status

January 02, 2015 | Article

The monarch butterfly, once common across the United States, could soon end up on the Endangered Species List.
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Colorful Butterfly Wings Inspire Counterfeit-Proof Tech

October 06, 2014 | Article

To stop identity thieves and counterfeiters, a group of researchers is looking for inspiration from an unlikely source: butterflies.
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Butterflies Caught Lapping Up Crocodile Tears

May 01, 2014 | Article

Crocodile tears may be drinks for thirsty butterflies and bees, scientists find. The insects likely rely on croc tears for salt, researchers added. This isn't the first time a butterfly has been caught lapping up another animal's tears.
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