Question

How do butterflies contribute to the environmental balance?

Answer 1

Hint: Butterflies are insects belonging to the kingdom Arthropoda. And can be found in a variety of habitats. The insects belong to the order Lepidoptera which also include Moths. Most of them have brightly colored wings.

Complete answer:
Butterflies play a variety of roles and carry out a wide spectrum of functions to maintain the balance in the environment. These insects act as pollinators and help in the transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma and helps in fertilization and eventually helping in bearing fruits and functions as a key pollinator. These insects are a food source to a number of higher organisms such as bats and birds and facilitates the energy flow in food chains and food webs. Butterflies are also used as a natural pesticide by making them feed on pests that are harmful to crops.

Butterflies also benefit ecologists as model organisms on studying the impact of climate change and loss of habitat.

Note: The populations of various butterfly species are endangered due to different human activities such as environmental pollution and deforestation. Deforestation has led to a loss of habitat for butterflies since the trees on which these organisms lay eggs are being cut off. As well as they have very less plants for depending on food. There has been a drastic decrease in the population of different butterfly species over the years. The decline in population also leads to imbalance in the environment’s food chains eventually affecting the natural energy flow. Various conservation programs are implemented across the globe such as setting up butterfly parks.