This article provides a list of terms used in the formal descriptions of butterfly species.
Morphology of a butterfly
1 - Antenna
2 - Head
3 - Compound eye
4 - Proboscis
5 - Front leg
6 - Middle leg
7 - Thorax
8 - Femur
9 - Tibia of a hind leg
10 - Tarsus of a hind leg
11 - Abdominal segment
12 - Abdomen
13 - Hindwing
14 - Spur or tail
15 - Outer margin
16 - Apex
17 - Vein
18 - Forewing
19 - Costal margin
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Terms connected with the wing
Key to venation
Key to wing zones
Apical : the anterior corner of the wing
Base/Basal area of wing : region close to the point of attachment to the thorax
Cell : the central area surrounded by veins
The cells are spaces formed by the crisscrossing of the veins. They can be "open" (extending to the margin of the wing) or "closed" (delimited only by veins). [Terminology]
Costa or Costal area of wing : The leading edge of the wing
Disc or Discal area of wing : The central band passing through the cell
Dorsum : trailing edge of wing
Eyespot or Occelli : spots resembling mammalian eyes. Can also be used to refer to simple eyes.
Terminal and marginal spots
Termen : the edge of the wing most distant from the body
Tornus or Tornal area of wing : the posterior corner of the wing
Vein : hollow structures formed from the coupling of the upper and lower walls of the wing. They provide both rigidity and flexiblility during flight. [More][Terminology]
Image File history File links Butterfly_wing_terms_small. ... Image File history File links Butterfly_wing_terms. ... Image File history File links Butterfly_wing_terms. ... Image File history File links Butterfly_wing_zones. ... Image File history File links Butterfly_wing_zones. ... Insect wings are outgrowths of the insect exoskeleton, that enable insects to fly. ...
Terms connected with the head and body
Antennae
Long feelers situated close to the eyes of butterflies. In Papilionoidea the antennae end in bulging tips called clubs, whereas in Hesperioidea they have hooked tips and the club is found just before the tip. [More]
Cremaster : most butterfly pupae are attached to a surface by a silken pad spun by the caterpillar and a set of hooks (cremaster) at the tip of the pupal abdomen.
Labial palpi or Palpi
Osmeterium : fleshy structure on some larvae, often discharging odorous chemicals
Spiracle : respiratory openings on the thorax and abdomen that allow air to enter the trachea. [More]
Stigma (plural Stigmata) : prominent cells on the forewings of some moths. Their size, shape and colour can be useful in identifying some species.
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