Lesson Lesson one

Key Scientific Knowledge Butterflies develop through four main stages in their life cycle. They first evolve from an egg, to the larva or caterpillar then to the pupa or chrysalis and then into an adult butterfly (Capinera, 2008). Adult butterflies lay eggs in clusters near specific plants that provide nutrition for growth and development. Once fully developed the caterpillar evolves from the egg. Caterpillars are herbivores that only eat plants (Capinera, 2008). Caterpillars grow at a high rate increasing in size and weight rapidly (Capinera, 2008). Once fully-grown the caterpillar searches for a save place to pupate, this may consist of a tree branch (Capinera, 2008). The caterpillar molts its skin and reveals the pupa/chrysalis (Capinera, 2008). Inside the pupa/chrysalis the larval breaks down and forms the adult butterfly. Dependent on the environmental conditions the butterfly pupa will split open and release the adult butterfly (Capinera, 2008).

Lesson two

Egg - Is round in shape and gets attached to the leaf. Eggs are yellow/white or green in colour. Eggs generally hatch between 2-5 days (Capinera, 2008).

Larva/Caterpillar - Dusk white in colour and change to green as they mature. Larva crawl using their legs and body form a loop. The body is 34 cm in length and takes approximately 19-20 days to develop (Capinera, 2008).

Pupa/Chrysalis - A white fragile cocoon that is attached to plant debris. Duration of the pupa stage is dependent on the temperature. It takes 4, 6 and 13 days at 32, 37 and 20 degrees Celsius (Capinera, 2008).

Adult butterfly - The life span of an adult butterfly is 10-12 days and during its life span the female butterfly produces 300-600 eggs (Capinera, 2008). Lesson three Monarch butterflies migrate to warmer climates during the year because they do not survive the winter (Catt, 2011). Monarch butterflies live in

North America, South America and Australia (Catt, 2011). Monarch butterflies live from four-five weeks however during autumn a generation of monarchs are born that live for seven-eight months (Catt, 2011). Monarchs migrate from North America to California or Mexico and return in spring to reproduce (Catt, 2011). Monarchs are insects that have three body parts, including head, thorax and abdomen (Catt, 2011, p. 6). Monarchs have wings that are orange, black and white in colour (Catt, 2011).

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk

Lesson four

Life cycle of a butterfly, from an egg, to caterpillar, to a chrysalis and then a butterfly (Earths Birthday Project, n.d.).

The body parts of a monarch and painted lady butterfly, including the head, chest and abdomen. As well as vocabulary related to butterflies, in particular metamorphosis, egg, chrysalis, caterpillar, antennae, thorax, proboscis, mandibles, and more (refer to the KSK table) (Enchanted Learning, 2010; Lockett, n.d.).

Characteristics of monarch butterflies: They are orange-reddish in colour and have black markings, which look like veins (New Hampshire Public Television, 2013). The wings are 10cm in width and are designed by white spots on its black border (NHPTV). Monarch butterflies are found in the North American Region, Hawaii and Australia. Monarch butterflies prefer the warm temperatures of spring and summer, and migrate to warmer locations during winter (NHPTV). Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed plants (NHPTV).

Characteristics of painted lady butterflies: Their wings, which are about 5cm in width, are orange in colour and are decorated by patches of black (NHPTV, 2013). The underside of their wings is grey, black and brown. They are found in all continents, excluding Australia and Antarctica. The

caterpillars can eat plants from the Daisy (Asteraceae) family, including lettuce, as well as from the Mallow (Malvaceae) family such as wax mallows (NHPTV). Lesson five Monarch butterflies begin their life as eggs, which are laid on milkweed leaves. The eggs are then hatched five days later (Live Monarch, 2013). Monarch butterflies only eat milkweed leaves, and if they are deprived of this they will die (Live Monarch).

Both monarch caterpillars and butterflies need warm temperatures of up to 28 to 30 Degrees Celsius to survive (Piehl, 2012). Monarch butterflies avoid wet areas to ensure they survive (Oberhauser, 2013).

Defense mechanisms of monarch caterpillars include, eating milkweed leaves, which contain cardenolides, and thus make the caterpillar bitter tasting and toxic (University of Minnesota, 2008). The butterfly also uses their bright colours as a defence mechanism to warn predators they are poisonous (University of Minnesota). The butterfly, in its different stages of life, also camouflages itself to protect itself from predators (University of Minnesota).

Natural enemies of monarch caterpillars include wasps, ants and spiders, as well as parasites such as maggots and worms (University of Minnesota, 2008). Enemies of monarch butterfly include black-beaked orioles as well as black-headed grosbeaks, which do not get poisoned consuming the butterfly (University of Minnesota). Video: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/animals-petskids/bugs-kids/butterflies-kids/ Difference between natural and built environments. Natural environments are made up of living organisms and non-living things that naturally occur on Earth, for example land, flora & fauna and water (Australian Government, N.d.). Whereas, built environments are those environments constructed by people and serve a purpose, for example schools, towns and shops (Red Apple Education, 2013).

Lesson six

Human activity, such as development of sites and farms has resulted in the loss of the butterflys habitat (Narayanan, 2013). Loggings also disrupt the habitat of monarch butterflies, which decreases the temperature as a result of fewer trees (National Geographic, 2013). Natural disasters, such as severe storms and droughts, have also killed milkweed plants monarch caterpillars eat (Narayanan & ClimateWire, 2013).

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/bugsanimals/butterflies-moths/butterfly_monarch/ Lesson seven Prior knowledge of the effects of human activity of agricultural practices including the use of herbicides and logging (Murcia, 2008; Narayanan, 2013; National Geographic, 2013) and natural disasters (Narayanan, 2013; ClimateWire, 2013) on the habitat and food sources of butterflies. A focus on climate classifications specific to Australia; equatorial, tropical, subtropical, desert, grassland and temperate (Bureau of Meteorology, 2005) and butterflies exist within a range of climate (Australian Museum, 2013). Lesson eight No new key scientific knowledge introduced consolidation and deepening of current knowledge. No new key scientific knowledge introduced consolidation and deepening of current knowledge. Presentation of projects may introduce new conceptual knowledge, however too broad to identify any specific key knowledge which could be addressed in this table.

Lesson nine