Butterfly Mouth Parts and Antennae

Did you know that the tongue of a butterfly is called a proboscis? Well it is true. When the proboscis is not in use it is coiled up between the antennae. A butterfly does not taste with its proboscis! It tastes with its feet. The proboscis is a hollow tube. When the butterfly is hungry it uncoils it's proboscis and drinks. The proboscis on every butterfly is black. Butterflies use antennae to sense movement in the air to help them get around. At the end of the antennae are small knobs.