Is it true that butterflies only live for one day?

I know some species live much longer than that. You must be thinking of mayflys.

The lifespan of the Monarch butterfly varies between 2 and 7 months:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly

Here's the Wikipedia entry for the mayfly, which is often talked about as an example of a very short-lived animal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayfly

Butterfly Life Span One Day

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No. Monarchs would have a tough time migrating if that were the case. The average lifespan for an adult butterfly is 20 to 40 days. Some species live no longer than three or four days; others may live up to six months. Aloha

The Luna MOTH lives only one day but most butterflies live for weeks or months. Monarchs become adults one year then migrate to Mexico in the fall and then return to the U.S. in the Spring.

No. Most butterflies live for weeks or months.

The Monarch Butterfly even lives long enough to migrate.

No; most butterflies have a life cycle of several weeks.

It is mayflies (order Ephemerida) that live one day as adults.

Hope this helps.