An obvious answer to this question would be - caterpillars.  But when did butterflies first appear?  There are now some 160,000 species of moths and butterflies -worldwide.  Seemingly, they appeared some 100 million years ago  - in North America.  They evolved from nocturnal moths in the period when flowering plants were undergoing a major expansion (in the Cretaceous period).  Butterflies may have become diurnal to avoid predation by bats, or it may have been to take advantage of nectar production and availability [using the proboscis]. The butterflies and their caterpillars were able exploit the diverse range of food resources that these ‘new’ plants offered.  Butterflies moved out from North America to South America and then on to other parts of the world, though they probably did not arrive in Europe until some 17 million years ago. The evolutionary expansion of the butterflies has been investigated by researchers at the University of Florida; they analysed the genetic makeup of many species (from 90 countries).  They were able to build up a picture of the relationships between the various groups of butterflies and also determined their evolutionary point of origin.  They also catalogued the plants eaten by the caterpillars and it was found that some two thirds of butterfly caterpillars feed on plants from the legume family (the Fabaceae - peas and beans).  It is probable that the first butterfly caterpillars also fed on these plants. Research at the Georgetown University in Washington DC suggests that larger species of butterfly are ‘coping’ better with higher temperatures, associated with global warming.  Bigger wings seem to offer a greater range of movement and the opportunity to find new and suitable habitats.  Smaller butterflies are not faring so well.  The study involved an analysis of the range of some 90 North American species between 1970 and 2010, during which period the monthly minimum temperature increased by 1.5oF. Others have analysed the butterfly collections at the Natural History Museum, using digital technology.   The Natural History Museum’s British and Irish butterfly (and moth) collection is probably the oldest, largest, and most diverse of its kind in the world; some of the specimens date back over a hundred years The measurements of the various specimens were paired with the temperature that the species would have experienced in its caterpillar stage. It was found that for several species that the adult butterfly size increased as the temperature increased (during late larval stage). So, it may be that we will see a gradual increase in butterfly size as temperatures increase with global warming. Join the Big Butterfly Count ? Between Friday 14th July and Sunday 6th August , the big butterfly count will take place.   For full details visit : https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/about Thanks to Angus for images.

Ladybirds are to be encouraged (with the exception of the harlequin ladybird) as they help control pests such as aphids (greenfly and blackfly). Aphids ‘drain’ nutrient rich sap from host plants and also spread viruses with their piercing mouthparts. Some ladybirds add to their diet with nectar and as they sip nectar from flowers, they may also carry pollen from one flower to another.  Like many other insects, species of native british ladybirds have declined in recent years, many outcompeted by the harlequin ladybird (which is an introduced species from Asia.  Harlequins also harbour a fungus which can infect native ladybirds). [caption id="attachment_39002" align="aligncenter" width="675"] a ladybird 'stalking' aphids[/caption] Ladybirds are coccinellid beetles.  They belong to the order – Coleoptera – and are characterised by having forewings modified to form hard wing covers (ELYTRA) and they have biting mouthparts (as compared to butterflies and moths, which have a proboscis*).  Their wing covers are brightly coloured, and they serve as a warning to predators of their bitter taste. Ladybrds can also exude a pungent fluid to ward off ants, birds and people. Recent work at Cornell University (and the Lost Ladybug Project) has suggested ways in which ladybirds might be encouraged in the garden.   Strategies that might encourage ladybirds include : Growing plants that have hairs on their surfaces that offer some protection from predators,  Plants that 'offer' food such as nectar , or prey (aphids).  For example, aphids are often to be found on roses which frequently are home to aphids. Plants that give visual (or chemical) cues. More ladybirds were observed on the plants from the Umbellifer,  Daisy and Rose families  They seem to be drawn particularly to yellow flowers. [caption id="attachment_30742" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Aphids on yellow - beware![/caption]   * though some species such as the Humming-bird Hawk-moth have a 'tongue' which it uses to sip nectar

Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by special glands on a plant.  These glands are usually associated with the flowers - but not always.  Floral nectaries are usually found at the base of the petals so that a visiting insect picks up or deposits pollen whilst collecting the nectar; thus, 'helping' the plant to reproduce / set seed.   Common pollinators are bees, bumblebees, wasps, moths, butterflies and hummingbirds;  less common pollinators are flies, ants, possums and bats. Read more...