Butterfly: Proboscus

OOPS! Proboscus , Proboscis is the correct spelling for this insect feeding tube.

Only vertebrates (animals with backbones) have teeth as we know them.

Invertebrates (animals without a backbone),  such as some  biting and chewing insects, including caterpillars, are  have structures that function like “teeth.” These mouth parts, called mandibles, have small, sharp projections used to cut and crush food.

Unlike caterpillars, adult butterflies do not possess any chewing mouth parts, and therefore, must obtain their nutrition for reproduction and flight from sipping liquids.

Butterflies have a special feeding tube, called the proboscis, which curls under their head when not in used. T

An uncurled proboscis is relatively straight and is inserted deep into  flowers in search of a sugary liquid called nectar. A butterfly’s proboscis acts much like a straw . 

Male butterflies exhibit a behavior called puddling, while describes their sipping moisture from wet sand and soil as well as puddles. The minerals the males get from puddling may increase their fertility.

Janice VanCleave’s Insects and Spiders: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair Projects