HOW DOES A BUTTERFLY PROTECT ITSELF?

Butterflies fly in a jerky, haphazard pattern that makes it hard for birds to catch them.

Red and Black Doris butterfly

Although they see only nearby objects, their compound eyes are very sensitive to movements.

Butterfly compound eyes

Butterflies fly in a jerky, haphazard pattern that makes it hard for birds to catch them. Even when found, they still get away by leaving part of their wings in the bird's beak.

Caterpillar feeding

Mornach butterfly caterpillars feed on poisonous plants during their larval stage, as a result the butterflies taste bitter to birds.

Monarch caterpillar feeding

Secondly, although they see only nearby objects, their compound eyes are sensitive to movements. Butterflies fly away at the slightest sense of danger.

Thirdly, because they feed on poisonous plants during their larval stage, most brightly colored butterflies—such as the monarch butterfly—taste bitter to birds. Once a bird catches a butterfly and experiences its nasty taste, the bird doesn’t tamper with it again.