Migration of Vanessa Butterflies
Migration in Vanessa Butterflies
Vanessa butterflies inhabit numerous continents around the world, which may include Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas (Stefanescu et al., 2007). Vanessa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies of the family Nymphalidae (Stefanescu et al., 2007) They are described as Holarctic species, which refers to habitats throughout the northern continents of the world (Stefanescu, 2001). They are seen mostly in open meadows and fields near streams (Stefanescu, 2001). Their populations are not permanent because to survive they need to be in relatively sunlit places that provide the appropriate host plants for protection and reproduction (Vandenbosch, 2003). They also need the proper plants that provide nectar for their consumption (Vandenbosch, 2003). At all life stages, Vanessa butterflies are incapable of surviving in cold temperatures (Vandenbosch, 2003). Due to this fact, Vanessa butterflies migrate (Stefansecu, 2001). The butterflies migrate in the winter towards the more southern regions and then upon their arrival, begin an intensive breeding period (Stefanescu, 2001). Throughout the winter, the larvae develop (Stefanescu, 2001). In the early spring, the new generation of adult butterflies appear (Stefanescu, 2001). These new adult butterflies migrate back to the northern regions in search of more host plants or better available resources (Stefanescu et al., 2007). In the southern regions, the summers are too dry and hot and the Vanessa butterflies would not survive these harsh conditions (Stefanescu et al., 2007). The migration process continues when winter approaches since the butterflies would lack proper survival resources and must travel back to the southern regions (Stafanescu et al., 2007). The Vanessa butterflies are forced to migrate continuously because in order to survive, they require proper amounts of food, shelter, and reproductive grounds. Geographically, the various types of Vanessa butterflies migrate to
Vanessa butterflies inhabit numerous continents around the world, which may include Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas (Stefanescu et al., 2007). Vanessa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies of the family Nymphalidae (Stefanescu et al., 2007) They are described as Holarctic species, which refers to habitats throughout the northern continents of the world (Stefanescu, 2001). They are seen mostly in open meadows and fields near streams (Stefanescu, 2001). Their populations are not permanent because to survive they need to be in relatively sunlit places that provide the appropriate host plants for protection and reproduction (Vandenbosch, 2003). They also need the proper plants that provide nectar for their consumption (Vandenbosch, 2003). At all life stages, Vanessa butterflies are incapable of surviving in cold temperatures (Vandenbosch, 2003). Due to this fact, Vanessa butterflies migrate (Stefansecu, 2001). The butterflies migrate in the winter towards the more southern regions and then upon their arrival, begin an intensive breeding period (Stefanescu, 2001). Throughout the winter, the larvae develop (Stefanescu, 2001). In the early spring, the new generation of adult butterflies appear (Stefanescu, 2001). These new adult butterflies migrate back to the northern regions in search of more host plants or better available resources (Stefanescu et al., 2007). In the southern regions, the summers are too dry and hot and the Vanessa butterflies would not survive these harsh conditions (Stefanescu et al., 2007). The migration process continues when winter approaches since the butterflies would lack proper survival resources and must travel back to the southern regions (Stafanescu et al., 2007). The Vanessa butterflies are forced to migrate continuously because in order to survive, they require proper amounts of food, shelter, and reproductive grounds. Geographically, the various types of Vanessa butterflies migrate to