Butterfly Pollinator

These images show butterflies on top of flowers. Butterflies act as pollinators for many plants and flowers in Iowa. 

• How do butterflies choose the plants they land on to collect the pollen?

• What part of the butterfly collects the pollen?
• How does the butterfly transport the pollen?

Students could:

• Complete a Notice/Wonder Chart while observing the photos
• Analyze the data from the photos to decide which plants attract butterflies.
• Discuss what structures the butterflies have that either help/hinder them in the process of pollination.
• Draw a model with labels showcasing the parts of a butterfly that either help/hinder the butterfly to transport pollen.

• The Children’s Butterfly Site: Several different tabs/links to learn about butterflies.
• PBS LearningMedia | PreK-12 Resources for New School Routines: If I Was a ButterflyLearn about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, how its body parts work, and the migration patterns they follow each year.
• US Forest Service | Butterfly Pollination: | : Butterfly pollination information.
• Readworks: Article about butterflies and flowers (vocabulary and comprehension questions).
• Butterflies and Pollination 2nd Grade Science Unit (Free): Free unit on butterflies and pollination.