7 Butterflies That Could Beat You in a Fight

[@SciShow]

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[@frogz]

learn all about butterflies and the 4 Fs, fighting, fleeing, feeding and mating

[@WhereNothingOnceWas]

PENIS AND BALLS ????????????

[@waterunderthebridge7950]

Loads of caterpillars also have a wide range of defensive adaptations from simple mimicry to biochemical weaponry in form of bristles that break off upon contact and cause so much chronic pain that you’d rather go to the afterlife

[@Just_A_Dude]

This is why humans use tools. A good, stout stick defeats those spines.

[@waterunderthebridge7950]

@@Just_A_Dude Problem is you don’t see them oftentimes due to their mimicry ‘cuz humans also aren’t really the species those defense mechanisms were evolved against

[@mastershooter64]

This is why humans use tools. A good, stout lepidopterist named steve stops all those caterpillars.

[@glenliesegang233]

Let's hope mosquitoes never learn these tricks!

[@Decembirth]

I was jump-scared by a Swallowtail as a child. So, yes, their strategy is very effective. Had me paranoid the rest of the day.

[@jonijokunen3542]

I feel like the vampire moths from genus Calyptra should have been included in this list. They literally drink your blood like mosquitoes, but their sting hurts a lot more because their proboscis is thicker and their stomachs fit more blood

[@ooooneeee]

Same, I was waiting for those.

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

@jonijokunen3542 -- yikes... : s that sounds horrible... . to self: *don't google it, don't google it, don't google it--!* . *googles it* . to jonijokunen: o__o that sounds and looks horrible!

[@serchan6502]

​@@iprobablyforgotsomething I got baited by your comment for some reason and did actually google it. I ded just seeing the pics. DED. My first and only word was "F---!!!!!!".😢 I ded.

[@ILuvBoysInDresses]

One of my favorite horror stories features swarms of butterflies stifling people to death. It's beautifully gruesome!

[@sarahrosen4985]

Now I have another thing to worry about.😮

[@glenliesegang233]

Was another about a butterfly collector who found his beloved daughter dead inside a huge cocoon...

[@whydoidothis124]

Petition for Mike Tyson versus butterfly

[@realityglitch2688]

So, Muhammad Ali?

[@decorativewingdings]

Seems unfair to Mike Tyson

[@RipVanFish09]

Signed!

[@nallid7357]

He'd probably die after the monarch since he has a thing for nibbling at his opponents.

[@CanadianLumber]

My money's on the butterfly

[@BillyWhitebread]

For the record, I didn’t start giggling until you told me not to giggle. 3:03

[@justayoutuber1906]

ever seen a brown boobie? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_booby

[@theunholybanana4745]

@@justayoutuber1906 the blue-footed booby is hilarious with its weird coloured feet

[@davidlange1000]

When I was young, somehwere between 7 to 9, a butterfly landed on my hand. I was enamored and brought it up to my eye line to observe it. I saw it unfurl its proboscis, which extended down to my hand. I then felt a very sharp pain at the point where the proboscis met my skin. I shook it off and got upset at it and thought the equivalent of, "WTF did a butterfly just BITE me?" So I guess my comment here boils down to, can butterflies freaking bite?

[@anilkumarhansda8087]

Yes..... More like stab and suck on you

[@clintonbehrends4659]

technically no they have a proboscis a small tube like thing use for sucking up nectar or similar sugars (but thats probably not what your asking about) I'm uncertian if they can puncture skin but they might be able (though probably not) to if it could it was likely a mistake on the butterflies end but it could have been a vampire moth instead of a butterfly and they definetly can break skin and as the name suggests attempt to drink blood

[@theprehistorichubert9448]

How did that '' butterfly '' look, cuz that could've likley been a vampire moth

[@90klh]

I don't think they can, but perhaps the proboscis made it's way into a pore? Far enough in, I'm sure it could trigger a poking pain response even tho that's not ACTUALLY poking you - I say that cuz I don't think their proboscis is sturdy enough to cause much sensation on our hides, let alone puncture it

[@protocetid]

it was a mosquito in disguise

[@osteoclast6884]

It's great that Reid is hosting regular SciShow now!

[@protocetid]

The higher ups made him fight a butterfly for the position.

[@mack7615]

Float a butterfly and sting like... a butterfly too, I guess.

[@KingOfGamesss]

Float a boat, Like like a viewer or follower

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

@mack7615 -- Lol, I was just thinking of that saying. xD

[@ComradeCatpurrnicus]

I've never thought about squaring up with a butterfly, but a grasshopper, I have. Those things always seem to be taking cheap shots, smacking me in the face. Zero concern for how terrifying this is 😢

[@safaiaryu12]

I miss SciShow Space a lot, but I'm glad Reid is still around. Great host with a great voice!

[@thangri-la]

Is the program not around anymore?

[@guacre2675]

In a community post, they said they moved Scishow space back to the main channel. So I think it still exists?

[@masonmatlock9366]

This gives that spongebob episode all new meaning.

[@janremoto4849]

or perhaps it was it's meaning. Big ones are scary. Boop.

[@ghstgirl4982]

As someone with an "ir"rational fear of butterflies and moths, all it would take is one floating in my direction and I'd give up xD also the dive bombing part unlocked a new part of the fear, so thanks for that guys lmaoo

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

Now people with fears of butterflies have a longer list of why they fear them

[@moviemaker1986]

A butterfly dive bombing a dragonfly sounds like someone running up to a lion and punching it in the nose. Guess it works for them though; you do you little fella.

[@JohnZimm_80085]

Blue-Footed Booby: I hold the record for the silliest bird name Great Tit: Hold my beer

[@quintenwhyte6660]

Himalayan Snowcock: "Hold my beer!..." American Woodcock: "Slow down there, buckaroo!"

[@wtspman]

@@quintenwhyte6660 Hairy Oxpecker weeps silently in the corner.

[@wtspman]

I know that's not an actual species. But red-billed, or yellow oxpecker doesn't give the same cringe. 😁

[@justayoutuber1906]

The English name "booby" was possibly based on the Spanish slang term bobo, meaning "stupid",[6] as these tame birds had a habit of landing on board sailing ships, where they were easily captured and eaten.

[@gregoryclark8217]

The tit in great tit comes from the French word for small, petit.

[@suruxstrawde8322]

I was actually just thinking of the fact they all have little talons, and spines on their legs. So if you were the same size it’d be like fighting a mix between a deer and a bird.

[@justayoutuber1906]

That's called a beer..or a dird

[@pylchott9864]

Dryas iulia really went "Your tears are delicious".

[@mollyhoffman7313]

"Nobody ever suspects the butterfly." -Bart Simpson

[@Xandycane]

"Butterflies as re poisonous to eat!" *eyes cat who thinks butterflies are a snack*

[@semjart]

I really like Reid as a host!! His voice is so nice to listen to

[@Beryllahawk]

I would not want to fight a cage match with a butterfly if our sizes were rendered equal. Think about that a second: A monarch butterfly whose body is TWO METERS LONG. Those wings could knock you over no problem and maybe even do a lot of damage, given how strong those delicate wings are in absolute terms! They're only delicate in our perception because they're also tiny compared to us. Another thing to note - like all flying insects, their heads are really hard - the exoskeleton is strongest there, for many obvious reasons. Even at scale, if a butterfly dive-bombs you, you're GOING to notice, it's like being pelted by an acorn. A tiny whack, sure, but startling!! Which is all it really wants anyway. I recall reading a dark fantasy novel, many years ago, in which there were butterflies that only fed on dead bodies. It's fascinating (and a little scary!) to learn that those were based on ACTUAL CREATURES. And here I thought Purple Emperors were just a cute thing to catch in Terraria!

[@Volti-Vagra]

0:21 Grounded really made me contemplate how people would fare- even with the magical wands n effects imagine having to deal with a hercules beetle while only being centimeters tall

[@ambulocetusnatans]

Ah yes, the old poisonous butterfly in the caesar salad trick. And he almost got away with it.

[@64standardtrickyness]

I told you a butterfly beat me up Oh, it's not the worst excuse I ever thought of.

[@pixarflare7879]

Shocked they didn’t mention the puss caterpillar. Where it’s hairs can cause extreme pain and blisters that can last weeks.

[@hunternotthewriter]

i’m js that you could still kill every one of the butterflies, pretty colors and toxins only do so much to getting smooshed

[@Call-me-Al]

I wouldn't want to get attacked by an ant colony tho, even though they are a far cry from army ants or fire ants and so on.

[@attackehh]

@@Call-me-Al I doubt they are, but imagine if they were trapjaw ants! Ouch!

[@notoriousgoblin83]

​@@attackehhyeah those fuckers bite so hard they have recoil.

[@ooooneeee]

Imagine you got swarmed by a million though.

[@abeltotallynotdnsclientors5054]

A broken man's tears is another man's protein shake 🦋

[@Thorstendeal]

The British butterflies (the Honourable mention) are actually given a special treat in one of our national parks which is basically a gigantic pile of blended animal carcasses and animal poop

[@overtonhallford54]

"It's you and me, moth! Hand to hand to hand to hand to hand to..." ~ P.S. Beagle.

[@peterbustin2683]

Fascinating and beautifully presented. Such a welcome relief from the current media noise at the moment!

[@Volti-Vagra]

2:45 also its part of my searches- >giggling ensues

[@stephanzielinski7922]

Let's not forget Roger Zelazny's _Damnation Alley_, where the radioactive desert is ruled by giant gila monsters... plagued by parasitic butterflies.

[@SirWonkotheSane]

Now just imagine if they somehow got some Chuck Norris tears. Also are there poisonous butterflies of moths that can lauch their toxic wing scales like Mothra?

[@sharendonnelly7770]

Great job, enjoyed your enthusiasm.

[@juliav.mcclelland2415]

Us 90s kids learned this from Miss Frizzle. Brings me back...

[@Diamonds_dime]

"pretty flappy things" omg 😂😂😂

[@gergsmail01]

Float like a butterfly... Sting like a... Butterfly 🦋

[@quintenwhyte6660]

African Oakleaf butterfly divebombs.... "WAKANDA FOREVER!!"

[@marcberm]

Did this remind anyone else of that one Spongebob episode with the butterfly inside Sandy's dome? 😂

[@Lutefisk445]

Moths and butterflies are my favorite insects because they're such weird little guys

[@KhaoticButterfly]

Knew butterflies where tough but i had no idea how tough till now. Thanks!

[@EayuProuxm]

4:10 And if they drink alligator tears, what hope do you have? Well I do have hands, so in this specific instance, I feel like I have an advantage over an alligator

[@rigoroque3504]

"Tears have 200 times as much protein as sweat" Me: sweat has protein?

[@starrywizdom]

My next cage match, I'm teaming up with the butterfly -- we're going toe to toe to toe to toe against some mosquitos!

[@pusulabrn]

I can’t tell how amazing this video is. Thank you guys!

[@shawnhale2631]

Wait, eating ceiling cotton candy feels bad when you eat it????? 9:07 (Wish I’da known that in elementary…. That and elephant ear plants…. I was gullible, okay?)

[@iCarus_A]

Heres hoping ya havent tried any forbidden caprisuns

[@swan1098]

Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a bee. - Mr. Ali

[@KingOfGamesss]

"Hey who gave you that bruised eye?"

[@michaeljacobs8458]

I seen a butterfly chasing a bird I was like wtf I wish I could of caught it on camera

[@Cohaay]

I still feel like I could probably take them.

[@mermaid10x]

I’m betting on the butterfly. Lol

[@HayTatsuko]

"Your Bitter Tears... Delicious" VVVVVV and Julia Butterflies

[@ScrapperTBP]

That is a hell of a title. I am excited and terrified in equal measure

[@Graeaeae]

Float like a butterfly and poison your enemies like one too

[@raythegardener]

Then, of course, there's the cage fight with the butterfly that flaps its wings and you get battered by a hurricane...

[@brendakrieger7000]

Amazing creatures🦋🐛

[@justayoutuber1906]

The un-amazing ones dies off long ago

[@brendakrieger7000]

@@justayoutuber1906 lol,yeah😂

[@eval_is_evil]

Whoa, your voice sounds AWESOME

[@sapphirII]

Didn't SciShow talked once about the carnivorous caterpillar? Nice of them to talk about them again.

[@manafestation]

Now it all makes sense why that Julia butterfly was whispering in my ear to remember that Futurama episode with the dog.

[@PaulGAckerman]

What if, and hear me out, I *didn't* want to fight them? Would they still want to be my friend?

[@aanchaallllllll]

0:53: 🦋 Butterflies have various defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators. 2:48: 🦋 The European Swallowtail butterfly uses a startle display to defend itself against predators. 4:49: 🦋 The purple emperor butterfly has a strange diet and feeds on carrion and dog feces to obtain salt and minerals. 7:07: 🦋 Butterflies engage in a behavior called matrivory where they eat their own mothers and can be poisonous to predators. 9:33: 🦋 Nature's creativity in self-defense mechanisms of insects. Recap by Tammy AI

[@briattnybrittany6843]

love the commentary and humor!

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

"...why not give the young a *head* start?" . I caught that! Idk if you meant to make a pun'y funny, but I still caught it!

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

I realized years ago that if you actually look closely at butterflies beyond their wings, they're actually kinda creepy looking. Now I know they're creepy acting too, especially the jump-scare and tear-drinkers. Gaah. *shudder*

[@brokentombot]

Imagine putting a larva into a rear naked choke for the win and a bunch of ants start stinging your eyes and you have to tap out.

[@michaelmicek]

_The Magic School Bus_ did an episode on this. Why the butterfly makes sense as a mascot.

[@Carcerian]

"Nobody suspects the butterfly..." - Bart Simpson

[@Jessejames7321]

I like the idea of this as a subseries: 7 (blank) that could beat you in a fight

[@i.am.not.herbert]

This nerd needs to play the Monarch in the live-action Venture Brothers movie.

[@Aloha_XERO]

No look again… our Sci Show host Reid Reimers (clearly an alias) for this episode is none other than the infamous Dr. Thaddeus S. Venture A.K.A “Rusty”, look him that stylish bald head, the sophisticated eloquent beard but where’s your glasses Rusty. You can’t fool me 🤔 . Reid, err I mean Dr. Venture presented here is the swarm arch nemesis self proclaimed by Malcom Fitzcarraldo A.K.A butterfly 🦋 “The Monarch” an EMA level [ 9 ] villain and member of the mysterious and ruthless organization called “The Guild” You see Dr. Venture here is telling us about is know enemy that he’s afraid to challenge… I hope you’re all taking survival notes 🥸

[@i.am.not.herbert]

@@Aloha_XERO he's got too much of a hard-on from butterflies. Total the monarch.

[@jonnyphenomenon]

No mention of the brown tailed moth. Those caterpillars are savage.

[@dio8636]

I have always been terrified of butterflies. I mean, have you ever seen one's face up close?? Monsters I tell ya

[@terryarmbruster9719]

Lol huge long butterfly tongue flicks out... Instant death. That or a wicked deep French kiss

[@williamlux]

the electric fly swatter in question:

[@evangratteau438]

Huh, so the darts used by The Monarch and his minions were actually legit poison.

[@davethebeard2706]

I've seen several diffrent species mobbing otter poop by a river I would frequently hike near. One of note was a n Eastern Tiger Swallowtail...

[@bluesupergiant]

2:13 I love how bro got a meme in there

[@spindash64]

Sounds like a Pikmin boss

[@Aloha_XERO]

All this talk about Butterflies makes me think that our host, Reid Reimers is heavily resembling a strong likeness of “Rusty” a.k.a Dr. Thaddeus S. Venture 😅

[@UJ-JP]

What’s better than one GT? Two GT, not giggling…lmao!

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

My friend just told me she had a phobia of butterflies. Now I can see why.

[@boopbiffsnose]

Eating carrion is actually quite common in butterflies.

[@ShroomDawg420]

5:30 that butterfly is in North Carolina , mainly harnett county.

[@echognomecal6742]

So far, I'm undefeated. I just wish they'd stop starting trouble.

[@Beutimus]

I'm half expecting a video on how deadly Capybaras are now. O.O

[@bestaround3323]

I feel like the butterfly is going to have a really hard time overcoming that size disadvantage.

[@brunorojas3992]

Long story short i member some lady in the ER waiting room with a butterfly in a bag because it bit her and she was allergic to them.

[@youkofoxy]

I would just rewrite this video from "could beat you in a fight" to "make you runaway"

[@ryandoesstuffapparently1540]

Thanks for revealing all their tactics. They don’t stand a chance against me now! 😈

[@janetf23]

So, butterflies are just beautiful thugs, huh?!

[@mollyjohnson9439]

"Jamie get that video of a grizzly bear beating up the group of butterflies..." - Joe Rogan, probably.

[@PaulsPubAndBrew]

Fly like a butterfly, sting like a butterfly

[@Mechjeb661]

Please tell this man that butterflies are tiny.

[@Yupppi]

I'm pretty confident I'm ready to take on these butterflies, I heard nothing that intimidated me. Bring it on.

[@LauraEilers]

I've seen monarchs on dog poop in Illinois

[@faenethlorhalien]

Hold my nectar...

[@gracielags6826]

Don’t let the butterflies see this 💀

[@whatevereyewant]

I’ll use stun spore with my butterfree and it will all be over REALLL QUICK.

[@Catastropheshe]

I might have missed something but if they didn't told the butterfly is size of a human or human a size of a butterfly then no they have no chance still 😂😂😂

[@darkwing3713]

A lepidopterophobic's worst nightmare.