Butterflies of the World - Lifecycle, Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation, Photography, Butterfly Holidays, Photo Galleries, Book Reviews and more.........
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
 
Predators

Adult butterflies and moths

In temperate regions such as Europe & North America, adult butterflies are killed in vast numbers by insectivorous birds; and in lesser numbers by dragonflies, wood ants, robber flies, wasps, hornets and spiders ( orb spiders catch butterflies in their webs, while crab spiders lie in wait on flowers, ambushing butterflies that visit them for nectar ).
The Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly Libellula depressa commonly preys on butterflies

In sub-tropical and tropical climates mantises, assassin bugs, lizards, chameleons and many other predators pose an additional threat.

It is likely that about 50 percent of adult butterflies are killed before they are able to mate and reproduce. Some are attacked when they are emerging or drying their wings prior to their first flight, a time when they are extremely vulnerable. Others are attacked when visiting flowers, although many are lucky to escape with nothing more than a peck taken out of a wing. The number of butterflies which die of old age however is probably very small indeed, as older butterflies are weaker and easily caught by predators.
Comma Polygonia c-album showing evidence of bird peck damage. Fortunately most butterflies can still fly even with large chunks pecked out of their wings !

Butterflies use many means to hide themselves from predators. Sometimes, as with the neotropical metalmarks ( Riodinidae ) and skippers ( Pyrginae ), they simply hide under leaves, out of sight. Most other species however rest in more open situations, and use techniques such as camouflage, disguise or warning coloration to protect themselves.

More information about these techniques can be found on the Survival Strategies pages.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars also fall victim to predators - birds such as robins for example catch huge numbers to feed their young, and a brood of blue tits needs to eat an incredible 15,000 caterpillars to survive !

Numbers are further depleted by wasps, heteropteran bugs, lacewings, hunting spiders, carabid beetles, ants, toads, lizards and even juvenile snakes. Yet more are killed by bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens.
Larva of Gonepteryx rhamni being attacked by shield bugs Troilus luridus
 

Common Toads are major predators of caterpillars such as Ringlet and Speckled Wood

Adders and other juvenile snakes eat diurnal butterfly and moth larvae, as well as beetles, spiders and nestling rodents.
 
 
 
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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008 unless otherwise stated, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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