National Learn About Butterflies Day is a holiday that encourages everyone to take the time to learn more about the beautiful winged creatures that pass by us during the spring and summer months. Butterflies are not only important for the beauty they bring to the world, but they are also important because they are pollinators that help our farmers bring fruits and vegetables to our tables.

That’s why it’s important for all of us to learn about these creatures not only on March 14th but every other day of the year as well.

Interesting Facts About Butterflies

Want to learn some interesting facts about butterflies right here and right now? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered as many butterfly facts as we could so that we could share them with everyone interested in celebrating this holiday.

• Butterflies can see the colors green, yellow, and red quite well.
• They range in size from 1/8 of an inch all the way up to 12 inches.
• The top measured speed of a butterfly is approximately 12 miles per hour.
• Monarch butterflies can travel over 2,000 miles and do so during their journey from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico every year.
• If a butterfly’s body temperature is below 86 degrees, then it cannot fly.
• Often, butterflies will warm themselves in the sun so that they are able to fly.
• Humans have been making art featuring butterflies for over 3,500 years.
• The caterpillars of some Snout Moths live in or on water plants.
• There are more than 20,000 different types of butterflies living all over the world.
• Butterfly wings are transparent. It’s the way they catch the light that makes them appear to be of different colors and designs.
• Butterflies can taste with their feet. They use this ability to taste the flowers they land on.
• The average lifespan of a butterfly is approximately 3-4 weeks.
• Some butterflies only have a lifespan of 10 days.
• One of the largest butterflies in the world is the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly.
• Butterflies have a total of four wings, not two.
• Butterflies have six jointed legs and three body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen.
• A variety of different butterflies besides Monarch butterflies migrate.
• Other butterflies that migrate include the Red Admiral, American Lady, Clouded Skipper, and Mourning Cloak butterflies.
• The smallest butterfly in the world is the Western Pygmy Blue. It’s only 2 centimeters across.

Observing National Learn About Butterflies Day

National Learn About Butterflies Day can be observed by taking a few moments of your day on March 14th and learning all you can about these remarkable creatures. This can be done by watching one of the many documentaries on butterflies or by reading a book about them.

While you’re observing this holiday, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalLearnAboutButterfliesDay to spread the word about it on the internet. Let’s all work together to learn about butterflies so that we can become good stewards of them and ensure that we help them continue to survive into the future.