Butterflies of the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area

In the spring and summer, an amazing 'metamorphasis' takes place at Hullett. Butterflies come out and are observed in every setting in the area. At different times, and in different habitats, many species (up to 50) of butterfly can be studied here. As with birds, these creatures come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. From the familiar Monarch and Cabbage White to the spectacular Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Baltimore Checkerspot, Hullett is the place to be to see butterflies!

Butterflies undergo a complete metamorphasis. After mating, the female lays eggs singly or in rows, chains or clusters of one to several hundred eggs. A caterpillar is the result of the hatching of these eggs. Each species has a distinctive and identifiable caterpillar, which spends its entire life feeding on a host plant, or plants. In the case of the Monarch, the host plant is the Milkweed. After the caterpillar sheds its skin several times, the final molt produces the chrysalis or pupa...during this stage the creature doesn't feed. The adult butterfly begins to form inside and when fully formed, the skin splits out of the chrysalis. The butterfly starts to pump fluids from its swollen body into its shrunken wings. In about an hour, the butterfly is able to fly and starts courtship immediately.

Metamorphasis - caterpillar, chrysalis, to the emerging adult.

Elaborate dances, prenuptial flights, and mutual wing stroking are parts in butterfly courtship. Matings can last for several hours and often occurs when the pair is on the wing. Little time is wasted between emerging from the chrysalis and mating due to the fact that the average life span of a butterfly is a mere 2 weeks. Some species, however, can live up to 6-8 months in some instances. The number of broods per year is determined by the climate.

For more information on other species to be found at Hullett, species accounts and tips to identify and find butterflies, click here. For pics from Hullett click here.