Only a few butterflies fly at night, but many moths fly during the day. Caterpillars destroy millions of dollars worth of crops each year. The caterpillar of the white cabbage butterfly is one of the most destructive, eating leafy vegetables, especially cabbage. Butterflies, on the other hand, drink only nectar and will carry pollen from flower to flower. This cross pollination of flowers is important in the production of fruit and seeds.
Some butterflies migrate each year.
The monarch may fly as far as southern Canada in the summer and retreat to the highlands of Mexico in the winter. Some tagged monarchs have been found to travel more than 2,000 miles. When it rains, butterflies find shelter in trees, shrubs or tall grasses. Many may die in a big storm. Some types of butterflies spend the winter in the pupal stage.