One morning I decided to go jogging on the only paved stretch of highway south of Dominical, called the Costanera Sur, which is on the Pacific Coast. I have some picturesque view points of the ocean which helps distract me from the humidity. Then, across my path, floats an absolutely gorgeous butterfly. It must have been as large as my hand. I think it was a morpho butterfy. But, I can not be sure, as I am not an expert. Though I wonder about what it was, I conclude it does not really matter. It was really an experience that I will always remember.

Costa Rica has nearly 1,000 identified butterflies and has about 10% of the total species in the world. Not only are butterflies beautiful, they are notable because of their unusual life cycle. Indeed, some migrate long distances and they are important for pollination. Some cause damage but for the most part, butterflies are a popular icon in culture and arts.

Many butterflies migrate long distances and navigate using time-compensated sun compasses. Butterflies can see polarized light and can orient under cloudy conditions.

Butterflies protect themselves by perching and positioning its wings to not be conspicuous. It's thought that the butterfly's hind wings can maneuver swift tight turns to evade predators.

Many butterflies in the tropics have seasonal forms. They will look distinctly different from dry season to wet season. The dry season forms are more cryptic, while some show greater dark colors in the wet season.

They have scale-covered wings that are pigmented with melanin for the black and brown color. Blues, greens, reds and iridescent colors are created by the microstructure of the scales. The scales cling to the wing and come off easily, which can harm the butterfly.

Butterflies have four wings which are not hooked together and result in its graceful flight. Adult butterflies have six legs. When the butterfly comes out of its pupal stage, it cannot fly until the wings unfold. They needs time for the blood to fill the wings. At this time, butterflies are vulnerable to predators. Some butterflies' wings take up to three hours to dry.

Reproduction of the Butterfly

The butterfly has a four-stage life cycle and completes a metamorphosis that is utterly fascinating.

The first stage is when the butterfly eggs get fixed to a leaf with a glue that hardens and makes the setae inseparable. Each species of butterfly has its own host plant. The egg stage last a couple of weeks.

Butterfly larvae or, more commonly known as, caterpillars are herbivorous and spend most of their time in search of food. It molts (loses its old skin) often as it grows. Once it's large enough, it goes into a pupa (chrysalis) and rests at this stage of its life. At this stage, the caterpillar has already shed its legs and head. Within the chrysalis, the caterpillar slowly turns into a butterfly.

The hardened chrysalis cracks and a butterfly emerges from it. The wings of the butterfly are small and wet. The butterfly will hold onto the shell while a fluid known as hem lymph is pumped into the body of the butterfly. This fluid spreads slowly and the butterfly is unable to fly during this period. The female butterfly is ready to mate within four or five days after it comes out of the