Butterflies
蝴蝶
scaly pollinator pollen shed hatche thorax
Butterflies belong to a huge order of insects called Lepidoptera. Lepidoptera means 'scaly wings'. Their wings are covered by thousands of tiny scales. They live in all kinds of climates and temperatures.
蝴蝶属于昆虫纲中的鳞翅目。鳞翅也就是指鳞状的翅膀。它们的翅膀由成千上万的鳞片组成。
Some of the most beautifully colored ones live in tropical rainforests. There the climate is hot and humid and there are many flowering plants for food.
它们生活在多种气候和温度下。最美的色彩斑斓的蝴蝶大多生活在热带雨林。热带雨林的气温高且潮湿，还有很多供以觅食的花卉。
Butterflies help the environment in two ways. They are pollinators of flowers. That means they carry pollen from flower to flower so that they can reproduce. They also provide meals for frogs, bats, birds and lizards.
从两方面来说，蝴蝶对环境有益。它们是花朵的传粉者。这意味着它们携带者花粉在花丛中穿梭，使得花朵能繁育。蝴蝶也是青蛙、蝙蝠、鸟类、蜥蜴的食物。
Butterflies go through four stages of life.
蝴蝶的生命历程分为四阶段。
In each stage they look different and each has a purpose. The length of time from egg to adult can range from a few weeks to a few years. The length depends on the type of butterfly.
1：The female deposits the egg.
2：The egg hatches and becomes a caterpillar.
3：The butterfly caterpillar eats constantly and grinds its food with huge jaws.
4：The caterpillar sheds its skin several times as it grows.
The caterpillar then attaches itself to a branch by spinning a line of silk. Within twenty-four hours the caterpillar sheds its skin for the last time.
每个阶段它们的形态都不同，并且功能也不同。它们的生命长度从卵到成虫可以是几个星期或是几年。它们的寿命取决于它们的种类。
雌性蝴蝶产卵，卵孵化为毛毛虫。毛毛虫不停地进食并且用它巨大的下颚嚼碎食物。毛毛虫在成长的过程中要褪去好几次皮。在这之后，毛毛虫会粘附在一根树枝上并且吐丝结茧，在24小时之内，毛毛虫最后一次蜕皮。
A pupa or chrysalis forms.
蝶蛹的形成。
Inside the butterfly chrysalis the adult parts of a butterfly are being formed. The chrysalis is usually green to blend in with plant life. The pupa or chrysalis case cracks open and an adult butterfly comes out. The butterfly dumps waste from its body and pumps blood into its wings. After about an hour it can fly.
蝶蛹之类正在形成蝴蝶的成虫。蝶蛹通常是绿色的，藏匿在植物中。蝶蛹破了之后，蝴蝶就会飞出来。蝴蝶清除掉它身上的残留物，将血液输送到翅膀中，大概一个小时候就能飞起来。
Butterflies have three main body parts.
蝴蝶由三个主要器官构成。
The head contains the eyes, proboscis and the antennae. Their eyes don't see as we do, even though they can see in all directions. They can only see colors and motion. A proboscis is like a long tongue. Butterflies can use it to drink nectar from a flower. They can also use it to suck sap from leaves and stems. Butterflies use their antennae to smell.
它的头部含有眼睛、鼻子和触角。它们的眼睛不能像人的眼睛这样看见万物，但是他们能通过眼睛看见各个方向。他们只能看见颜色和动作。它们的鼻子像个长长的舌头，蝴蝶通过这个鼻子吸食花朵的花蜜。它们也可以通过鼻子来吸取树的叶子和茎中的汁液。蝴蝶通过它的触角来感知气味。
The middle section of the butterfly is the thorax. Three pairs of jointed legs and two pairs of wings are attached to this part of the body. A butterfly's scales can be seen best on its wings. A brown powder will rub off the wing if touched. These will be scales. The colors and patterns on a butterfly's wings protect them from predators. Camouflage is the most common pattern.
蝴蝶中央的那一部分称为胸腔。多节的脚和两对翅膀连接在胸腔上。蝴蝶的鳞片在它的翅膀上最为明显。如果摸到蝴蝶上有一层棕色的粉末，那么那一部分就是蝴蝶的鳞片。蝴蝶翅膀的颜色和图案帮助它们躲避捕食者。迷彩是最常见的纹路。
The third section of a butterfly's body is the abdomen. It is soft and contains ten sections. It also holds a simple heart, reproductive organs, breathing spores and the digestive and excretory systems.
蝴蝶身体的第三部分是腹部。蝴蝶的腹部很柔软并且有10节。腹部内含有简单的心脏、生殖器、呼吸孢子、消化和排泄系统。
Males and females often look alike. Male butterflies search for mates with the correct color and pattern on their wings when they are ready to mate. After mating, a female flies off to look for a suitable plant for her eggs. The color and shape of the leaves help her make her decision. Some butterflies lay clusters of eggs and some just one.
雌性蝴蝶和雄性蝴蝶外表相似。雄性蝴蝶通过翅膀上正确的颜色和花纹来寻觅配偶。在交配之后，雌性蝴蝶寻找一颗合适的植物来产卵。雌性蝴蝶选择植物取决于叶子的颜色和形状。一些蝴蝶产很多卵，但也有蝴蝶仅产一个卵。
In summary, butterflies are insects and belong to the order Lepidoptera. This word means 'scaly wings'. They are covered by thousand s of tiny scales. Butterflies live in all climates and temperatures. However, the most colorful live in hot tropical climates. Many flower producing plants are available for food in those regions.
本课小结：蝴蝶属于昆虫纲鳞翅目。“鳞翅”指的是鳞状的翅膀。它们的翅膀由成千上万的鳞片组成。蝴蝶生活在不同的气候和温度下。然而，色彩斑驳的蝴蝶通常生活在热带气候下。在热带区域，有很多花卉供蝴蝶取食。
1) Lepidoptera means which of the following?
A: Leopard-colored B: Scaly wings
C: Droopy wings D: Striped
2) Which of the following is one way butterflies help the environment?
A: They eat ants. B: They are food for other small animals.
C: They drive spiders away. D: They spread poison on weeds.
3) Which of the following is the main job of a butterfly caterpillar?
A: To become green B: To crawl into its burrow
C: To eat and grow fat D: To frighten predators away
4) How are a butterfly's eyes different from a human's?
A: They have no color. B: They can only see down.
C: They are purple. D: They can only see motion and colors.
5) Which of the following part of the body is where the wings are attached?
A: Thorax B: Abdomen
C: Proboscis D: Tail
6) Which of the following helps a female butterfly decide where to deposit her eggs?
A: The shape and color of the leaves B: How close the spot is to the ground
C: How hidden a spot it is D: All of the above
答案：BBCDAA
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