Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Kit

Butterfly Bingo – Page 1

Butterfly Bingo

Overview:

The Lepidoptera order, including butterflies, skippers and moths, demonstrates very well the diversity that exists within a single order of organisms at Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Students discover the rich diversity of this order through games of bingo, using butterfly species found at the monument. The characteristics, food preferences or habitats are presented, then the students match these to butterflies on the bingo sheets.

Background Information:

The biodiversity of a region includes all life (the animals

and plants including insects, fungi and bacteria) as well as the

interactions between all that life and the habitats in that region. In

2002, by presidential proclamation, President Clinton created

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to preserve the large amount

of biodiversity in this region. Nearly 120 different species of

butterflies live in Cascade-Siskiyou NM. This is one of the highest

degrees of diversity for butterflies in the United States.

There are over 700 butterfly species in North America, most

visible through spring and summer. The Lepidoptera order includes

butterflies, skippers and moths. Most moths have furry bodies and

feathered antenna while butterflies have smooth bodies and slim

antenna. Butterflies are predominantly diurnal, flying during the

day, while moths are predominately nocturnal. Butterflies tend to

create a chrysalis while moths tend to spin cocoons. Skippers fall

into the middle of these general descriptions. They are diurnal and

have slim antenna like the “true” butterflies but their bodies are

often furry like the moths. Most skippers create chrysalises but

some create cocoons. These differences are generalizations and

there are exceptions within each category.

Objectives: 1. Students will identify

species within the

Lepidoptera order by matching the species

names and

characteristics through a game of bingo

2. Students can

recognize and properly

name at least 3 different butterflies found at

Cascade-Siskiyou NM

Materials: Bingo Cards

Tokens

Butterfly sheets

Eco-region Map

Duration: 20 - 40 minutes

Alignment to

Oregon State

Standards:

Science 5.2L.1, Science 5.1, SS.05.GE.03.03

Mardon Skipper

(Photo by Erik Renquist)

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Butterfly Bingo – Page 2

Lepidoptera follow a multiple stage lifecycle where the organism completely metamorphoses

(the body of the juvenile and the body of the adult look completely different). The female lays

eggs on a host plant. The larvae, commonly known as a caterpillars or worms, hatch and eat

until they are big enough and mature enough to metamorphose. The larva, then, creates a

chrysalis or a cocoon and pupates until the metamorphosis is complete. The adult butterfly or

moth will then emerge. This full lifecycle can last just a few weeks or over a year depending on

the species.

Cascade-Siskiyou NM is in a unique geological area. The geologic convergence of four

different eco-regions, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, the Klamath

Siskiyou Mountains, and the Great Basin Desert, come together, or converge, in this area.

Species, such as butterflies, are associated with different geological ecoregions. When the

different regions converge many species that are normally not found near each other will be

found in the same area. This sort of convergence can be seen on a smaller scale along the border

between a forest and a meadow. More species are found along that border than in the forest or in

the meadow because the habitats converge there. This convergence creates the incredible

diversity of butterflies and other species found at Cascade-Siskiyou NM.

Vocabulary: Ecoregion – large areas of land that share similar characteristics like the geology

(rocks), species and habitats located there. Biodiversity - all the different animals, plants and other life found in a region as well as

the interactions between the species and their habitats.

Convergence – an area where different ecoregions overlap.

Species – a types of living organisms including animals, plants, fungi and bacteria.

Lepidoptera – order of insects that include butterflies, skippers and moths.

Butterfly – the flying adult stage of an insect that follows a metamorphic lifecycle.

Caterpillar – the larval stage of an insect that follows a metamorphic lifecycle. Similar

to a worm with small legs, eats vegetation.

Host Plant – the plant that a butterfly lays the eggs on and the caterpillar needs to eat to

survive.

Chrysalis – housing for the pupa form between the adult and larval stage of most

butterflies; formed from the exoskeleton of the caterpillar.

Cocoon – housing for the pupa form between the adult and larval stage of most moths;

formed from silk and sometimes plant material.

Metamorphism – the complete change in body type and function of an organism

between the juvenile and adult stages.

Introduction: 1. Ask the students what they think of butterflies. Have a short (3 to 5 min.) discussion on

what butterflies are and what butterflies mean to the students.

2. Define biodiversity as all the different animals, plants and other life found in a region as

well as the different interactions between the species and their habitats. (Example: The

biodiversity of the classroom would include all the animals, plants, insects and micro-

organisms in that classroom along with all the interactions between the organisms)

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Kit

Butterfly Bingo – Page 3

3. Show a map of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument with the ecoregions of the

mountain ranges and the desert marked on the map. Explain that ecoregions (represented

by the arrows) are large areas that share similar characteristics like the species and

habitats there. Ask: where do you think the largest number of different species would be

found? (Sample answer: the area where the arrows meet)

4. Explain that because of this convergence at Cascade-Siskiyou NM, it is a “hot spot” for

butterflies. There is a larger number of butterfly species, or larger than average diversity,

living at the monument. The average number of butterfly species in a wilderness area is

less than 100. At Cascade-Siskiyou NM there are more than 120 species of butterflies.

5. Tell the students that they are going to explore some of that butterfly diversity while

playing a game of bingo.

Activity: 1. Provide each student with a butterfly bingo card and tokens for covering the squares.

2. If needed explain the rules to bingo. Explain that a BINGO is a complete row up, down

or diagonal. Mix up the butterfly cards.

3. Pick a butterfly card (or have a student pick).

4. Read the information on the card and show the picture.

5. Students that have that butterfly on their cards cover the butterfly with one of the tokens.

6. Repeat steps 3 – 5 until someone calls out “BINGO”.

7. To check if the student successfully got bingo, have the student name the covered

butterflies and one fact about them. Other students may raise hands and be called on to

help answer.

8. Start over and play another round. Continue as long as desired.

9. While playing discuss different aspects of the butterflies.

Assessment:

Assessment is provided when the students are able to name butterflies after achieving BINGO.

Further discussion questions (and possible answers):

Why are there so many different types of butterflies at Cascade Siskiyou NM? What are some of the reasons for the rich diversity? Within these geographically converging ecoregions a greater amount of biodiversity is

found since habitats for many species overlap, thus butterflies with different requirements

and habitats will be found living relatively close to each other. Most butterflies rely on

one or a small number of different host plants. In the Cascade-Siskiyou NM there is a

very large diversity of plant life thus there is a larger variety of host plants available for

the butterflies. Why is this rich diversity important?

Having an increased number of species often allows an area to be more resilient to

disturbances, since more than one species may play the same role in that particular area.

What are some ideas that we can do to help assure the continued diverse richness?

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Kit

Butterfly Bingo – Page 4

Let our family, friends and neighbors know about the special butterflies living among us. Plant host plants and nectar plants for the butterflies in parks and gardens. Pull non-native plant species that keep the native host species from growing. Protect land for the butterflies and the plants they need to survive.

Variations and extensions:

For younger ages read the name and show the picture for the students to match. For older grades read information first, then name, then picture and see how quickly the students can correctly identify the right butterfly. Have students raise a hand and guess with the right butterfly.

Each student can choose a butterfly from the game and write about it. Writing can be a short report, a story or a poem. Writing should demonstrate the interconnectedness with a diversity of other organisms.

Hand out copies of the outline drawings of some butterflies (outline drawings provided) for the students to color. For an extra challenge, make copies of the outline drawings without the species names and have the students identify the butterflies using the cards.

Have students research one of the butterflies, then write and or draw a life cycle of the butterfly, including the correct host species for the caterpillar and nectar plants for the adult butterfly.

Have the students create awareness posters encouraging people to plant butterfly gardens for one or more butterflies. The posters should include both the host and nectar plants for the butterflies.

Use copies of the bingo cards or the provided species check list and have the students check off butterflies they see around the school yard, at home or other places they visit.

Useful Websites Butterflies and Moths of North America - http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org

North American Butterfly Association - http://www.naba.org/

The Children’s Butterfly Site - http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/

The Lepidopterists’ Society, Educational Resources -

http://www.lepsoc.org/education.php

Raising Butterflies - http://www.raisingbutterflies.org/

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Kit

Butterfly Bingo – Page 5

Taxonomy Information Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Arthropoda Class – Insecta Order – Lepidoptera Family – 6 Families of butterflies and skippers* Hesperiidae (skippers) Papilionidae (swallowtails) Pieridae (whites and sulfurs) Lycaenidae (gossamer wings, blues and coppers) Riodinidae (metalmarks) Nymphalidae (brushfoots) Taxonomy information from: http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Taxonomy%202.htm

*Are skippers considered butterflies? Yes and no. Yes: Lepidoptera is commonly divided into moths and butterflies. In this division, skippers fall under the butterfly category. Butterfly field guides and websites include the skipper and many don’t make any distinction between skippers and butterflies. No: The Order Lepidoptera has been divided into 35 superfamilies. Of these superfamilies, Papilionoidea contains the 5 true butterfly families, and Hesperoidea contains the skipper family. The other 33 superfamilies are considered moths.

Credits Species information from the following sites: Art Shapiro’s Butterfly Site at http://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/ Butterflies and Moths at http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ The Bug Guide at http://bugguide.net/node/view/57/bgpage Raising Butterflies at http://www.raisingbutterflies.org/ Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest by William Neill

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Butterfly Bingo – Page 6

Regional butterfly and skipper check list for Jackson County.

Generated by the BAMONA database at the Butterflies and Moths of North America website

(http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/)

Hesperiidae Skippers

Epargyreus clarus Silver-spotted Skipper

Thorybes pylades Northern Cloudywing

Thorybes diversus Western Cloudywing

Erynnis icelus Dreamy Duskywing

Erynnis propertius Propertius Duskywing

Erynnis pacuvius Pacuvius Duskywing

Erynnis persius Persius Duskywing

Pyrgus ruralis Two-banded Checkered-

Skipper

Pyrgus communis Common Checkered-

Skipper

Carterocephalus palaemon Arctic Skipper

Hesperia juba Juba Skipper

Hesperia colorado Western Branded

Skipper

Hesperia columbia Columbian Skipper

Hesperia lindseyi Lindsey's Skipper

Atalopedes campestris Sachem

Polites sabuleti Sandhill Skipper

Polites mardon Mardon Skipper

Polites sonora Sonora Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanoides Woodland Skipper

Ochlodes agricola Rural Skipper

Euphyes vestris Dun Skipper

Amblyscirtes vialis Common Roadside-

Skipper

Papilionidae Parnassians and

Swallowtails

Parnassius clodius Clodius Parnassian

Parnassius smintheus Rocky Mountain

Parnassian

Battus philenor Pipevine Swallowtail

Papilio zelicaon Anise Swallowtail

Papilio indra Indra Swallowtail

Papilio rutulus Western Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio eurymedon Pale Swallowtail

Papilio multicaudata Two-tailed

Swallowtail

Pieridae Whites and Sulphurs

Anthocharis sara Pacific Orangetip

Anthocharis lanceolata Gray Marble

Euchloe ausonides Large Marble

Euchloe hyantis California Marble

Neophasia menapia Pine White

Pieris marginalis Margined White

Pieris rapae Cabbage White

Pontia beckerii Becker's White

Pontia protodice Checkered White

Pontia occidentalis Western White

Pontia sisymbrii Spring White

Colias philodice Clouded Sulphur

Colias eurytheme Orange Sulphur

Colias occidentalis Western Sulphur

Lycaenidae Gossamer-wing

Butterflies

Lycaena arota Tailed Copper

Lycaena xanthoides Great Copper

Lycaena editha Edith's Copper

Lycaena gorgon Gorgon Copper

Lycaena heteronea Blue Copper

Lycaena helloides Purplish Copper

Lycaena nivalis Lilac-bordered Copper

Lycaena mariposa Mariposa Copper

Habrodais grunus Golden Hairstreak

Atlides halesus Great Purple Hairstreak

Callophrys affinis Western Green Hairstreak

Callophrys sheridanii Sheridan's Green

Hairstreak

Callophrys nelsoni Nelson's Hairstreak

Callophrys spinetorum Thicket Hairstreak

Callophrys johnsoni Johnson's Hairstreak

Callophrys augustinus Brown Elfin

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Butterfly Bingo – Page 7

Callophrys mossii Moss' Elfin

Callophrys eryphon Western Pine Elfin

Satyrium titus Coral Hairstreak

Satyrium californica California Hairstreak

Satyrium sylvinus Sylvan Hairstreak

Satyrium tetra Mountain Mahogany

Hairstreak

Satyrium saepium Hedgerow Hairstreak

Satyrium behrii Behr's Hairstreak

Satyrium fuliginosum Sooty Hairstreak

Strymon melinus Gray Hairstreak

Cupido comyntas Eastern Tailed-Blue

Cupido amyntula Western Tailed-Blue

Celastrina ladon Spring Azure

Glaucopsyche piasus Arrowhead Blue

Glaucopsyche lygdamus Silvery Blue

Euphilotes battoides Western Square-dotted

Blue

Euphilotes intermedia Intermediate Dotted-

Blue

Euphilotes enoptes Pacific Dotted-Blue

Euphilotes ancilla Rocky Mountain Dotted-

Blue

Plebejus idas Northern Blue

Plebejus melissa Melissa Blue (includes

Karner Blue)

Plebejus saepiolus Greenish Blue

Plebejus icarioides Boisduval's Blue

Plebejus acmon Acmon Blue

Plebejus lupini Lupine Blue

Plebejus podarce Sierra Nevada Blue

Riodinidae Metalmarks

Apodemia mormo Mormon Metalmark

Nymphalidae Brush-footed

Butterflies

Danaus plexippus Monarch

Speyeria cybele Great Spangled Fritillary

Speyeria coronis Coronis Fritillary

Speyeria zerene Zerene Fritillary

Speyeria callippe Callippe Fritillary

Speyeria egleis Great Basin Fritillary

Speyeria hesperis Northwestern Fritillary

Speyeria hydaspe Hydaspe Fritillary

Boloria epithore Pacific Fritillary

Limenitis lorquini Lorquin's Admiral

Adelpha californica California Sister

Chlosyne leanira Leanira Checkerspot

Chlosyne hoffmanni Hoffmann's

Checkerspot

Chlosyne palla Northern Checkerspot

Phyciodes orseis California Crescent

Phyciodes mylitta Mylitta Crescent

Phyciodes pulchella Field Crescent

Euphydryas editha Edith's Checkerspot

Euphydryas chalcedona Chalcedon

Checkerspot

Euphydryas colon Colon Checkerspot

Junonia coenia Common Buckeye

Polygonia satyrus Satyr Comma

Polygonia faunus Green Comma

Polygonia gracilis Hoary Comma

Polygonia progne Gray Comma

Aglais milberti Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Nymphalis antiopa Mourning Cloak

Nymphalis californica California

Tortoiseshell

Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral

Vanessa cardui Painted Lady

Vanessa annabella West Coast Lady

Vanessa virginiensis American Lady

Coenonympha tullia Common Ringlet

Oeneis nevadensis Great Arctic

Cercyonis pegala Common Wood-Nymph

Cercyonis sthenele Great Basin Wood-

Nymph

Cercyonis oetus Small Wood-Nymph