The earliest known butterfly fossils date back to the early Cretaceous period around 130 million years ago. While fossils provide little information about the origins of modern butterflies, biologists agree that butterflies evolved from moths during the Cretaceous period when flowering plants first appeared. New evidence from exceptionally preserved butterfly fossils in amber also suggests that butterflies may have originated earlier than previously thought.

1. A journey to evolution of
butterfly

2. Fossils tell the history
• The earliest butterfly fossils are from the early Cretaceous[Of or belonging
to the geologic time] period, about 130 million years ago.
• Like the 40 million year old Prodryas
Persophone.
• They are remarkably similar to modern
day forms .
• fossil record sheds little light on
the origin of today's butterflies.

3. •Butterflies developed during the Cretaceous Period, often
called the "Age of Flowering Plants," 65 million to 135
million years ago.
•Biologists generally agree that moths
gave rise to butterflies.
•Butterflies may be far more ancient creatures than
previously believed, reveals a new study of fossil
specimens exquisitely preserved in amber.
Development

4. •Our understanding of butterfly origins is based on the study of living Lepidopteran
species.
• We can often learn about evolution from the fossil
record, but there are relatively few butterfly fossils.
•Evolution is closely linked to the evolution of
flowering plants (angiosperms) since both adult
butterflies and caterpillars feed on flowering plants.
Evolution

5. Thank you!