Butterfly Math
Learn about butterflies using numbers. Butterfly Anatomy
1. How many major body parts do butterflies have?
Write them:
Compare this with ants. How many major body sections do ants have?
2. How many wings does a butterfly have?
Name the 4 structures on the butterfly's head.
3. Wingspan is the distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing.
Monarch butterflies have a 10.16cm. wingspan.
What is the longest wing span of a butterfly (in metric units)?
What is the shortest wing span of a butterfly (in metric units)?
What is the difference (in metric units)?
Challenge: What is the largest butterfly found in your state?
What is the smallest butterfly found in your state?
Write in order from largest to smallest three butterflies found in your state.
4. How many different kinds (species) of butterflies are there in the world?
Use your research skills to answer these questions.
How many different kinds (species) of butterflies live in your state?
Write as a fraction the number of world butterfly species found in your state.
What is the percentage of world butterfly species that are found in your state?
(Need help with calculating percentages? MathFLIX Videos | Khan Academy Videos)
5. How many stages are there in the life of a butterfly?
Name them.
Extra: Travelers - Watch Monarch Migration Video PBS
Estimate (or determine using an online mileage calculator) the longest distance you have ever traveled.
Compare your trip with this Monarch Butterfly - "One tagged butterfly was tracked along a 1,870-mile route.
Originally tagged on September 18, 1957 in Highland Creek, Ontario, it was spotted again in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, four months later. Of course, the butterfly's actual flight distance was even longer than a map suggests, because the insects don't fly in a straight line. They must dodge mountains, fight against winds, and flee predators on their perilous journeys."
Voyagers PBS site | Sort the Insects - activity
Monarch Butterfly migration report - listen online
Fields, Meadows, and Hedgerows: Habitat / Mammals / Birds / Butterflies / Trees & Plants - Milkweed / Conclusions
Bats are our Buddies Activity | Food Web Activity | Digital Science Journal | Milkweed & Monarch Butterfly Mania
Ecology Vocabulary Exercise | Life Cycles | EcoCommunity Status in your state | Fields, Meadows & Fencerows photos
Birds Facts Table | Feather Facts Finder | Screech Owl Activity | Bluebirds Project
Wildflowers info / Pennsylvania HS Envirothon
Plants and People / Habitat Garden / Wetland Study Unit / Nature / Water and Watersheds / Science Observation skill builders / Science related Links
Internet Hunts / Puzzles and Projects / Problem and Project Based Learning / Pennsylvania Projects / Civics & History / Computers / Home
©2007 Cynthia J. O'Hora This project may be printed for use in a nonprofit setting.
Save a tree - use a digital answer format - Highlight the text of the title, directions and questions. Copy the text. Paste it in a word processing document. Save the document in your folder. Answer on the word processing document in an easily read, contrasting color or font. (No yellow, avoid artistic fonts like: Symbols, 
, 
, & 
fonts). Save frequently as you work. Make Your Own Printed answer sheet
The goal of this web project is to inform people through research while employing higher order thinking skills. This study unit encourages the use of free Internet information resources. Activities develop writing, information literacy, technology and mathematics skills.