One of the most favored butterflies among entomologists
and butterfly collectors is the Dogface Butterfly
(Latin name: Colias cesonia and Zerene cesonia).
Many people study Entomology, the branch
of zoology that deals with the scientific study
of insects, because it is the largest class of
creatures in the animal kingdom. Entomon, the
Greek word for insect, is used in several words
relating to insects including the word "entomologist"
- a zoologist or bugologist (bug-hunter), one who
studies insects, aka one versed in the field of
entomology. There is also the closely related word
"entomophobia", which means the phobia or fear
of insects, and "entomophagous" which is used to
describe any animal that eats insects. Not many
people are into eating the beautiful Dogface butterfly,
but it does have quite a few natural
enemies: ants, beetles, birds, flies, lizards,
frogs, toads, praying mantises, spiders and wasps.
California's state butterfly, the Dogface,
has two common names the "dog head butterfly"
and the "flying pansy". The California dogface
butterfly, or dog head, (Colias eurydice Boisduval)
was designated the official California state insect
in 1972 and is only found in the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada mountains to the coast and
from Sonoma South to San Diego. Male Dogface butterflies
have a yellow silhouette of a dog's head on their
wings and the female of this species is usually
entirely yellow with only a black spot on their
upper wings. Dogface butterflies, like many
other butterfly species, have evolved "eye"
like markings on their wings that serve to scare
off predatory birds. Also, birds often attack
the eyes of an animal first, it is this that gives
the Dogface butterfly a chance of escaping
in all the confusion with at worst a hole poked
in one of its the wings.
Put three Southern Dogface
Butterflies (Colias cesonia) on display in your
home and you will have created a butterfly collection
that will brighten up any room with the eye catching
yellow colored wings. Dog-faced Dogface
butterflies are the perfect gift idea
for any special occasion, especially birthdays! |
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