In the desert
You may not see many butterflies
or moths flying around the desert
in the middle of the day. Most of
them seek shelter to avoid the heat
of the midday sun. The best time to
watch for butterflies and moths is
in the morning or the evening. Look
for them flying around water holes
where grasses and wildflowers grow.
A long wait
A butterfly waits for
the rain to fall before
emerging from its
pupa. In the hot,
dry desert, this can
take several years.A smelly drink
For butterflies and moths to survive
on the dry plains of Africa, they have to
find water every day. This African ringlet
even drinks from animal droppings!The gray-brown color makes
this butterfly invisible in the
sandy, rocky desert.US_056-057_In_the_desert.indd 56 11/10/17 3:34 pm