Butterflies
Cairns Birdwing, the largest butterfly in Australia (Melbourne Zoo).
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera (unranked) Rhopalocera
Superfamilies and families
Superfamily Hedyloidea: Hedylidae Superfamily Hesperioidea: Hesperiidae Superfamily Papilionoidea: Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae

A butterfly is an insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera, butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a larval caterpillar stage, an inactive pupal stage, and a spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colourful winged adult form. Most species are day-flying so they regularly attract attention. The diverse patterns formed by their brightly coloured wings and their erratic yet graceful flight have made butterfly watching a popular hobby. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x1067, 425 KB) Cairns Birdwing, the largest butterfly in Australia. ... Binomial name Ornithoptera euphorion (G.R. Gray 1852) Female Cairns Birdwing, females lack the green colouration. ... The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, commonly known as the Melbourne Zoo, contains more than 350 animal species from Australia and around the world. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Subphyla and Classes Subphylum Trilobitomorpha Trilobita - Trilobites (extinct) Subphylum Chelicerata Arachnida - Spiders, Scorpions, etc. ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... The order Lepidoptera is the second most speciose order in the class Insecta and includes the butterflies, moths and skippers. ... Diversity Roughly 40 species Hedyloidea is the superfamily of American butterfly moths. ... Genera See text. ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Families Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Libytheidae The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea. ... Type species Papilio machaon (Old World Swallowtail) Subfamilies and genera There are 26 genera and about 605 species: Subfamily Baroniinae Baronia Subfamily Parnassiinae Allancastria Archon Bhutanitis Hypermnestra Luehdorfia Parnassius Sericinus Subfamily Papilioninae Atrophaneura Battus Byasa Chilasa Cressida Euryades Eurytides Graphium Iphiclides Lamproptera Losaria Meandrusa Mimoides Ornithoptera Pachliopta Papilio Parides Pharmacophagus... Type species Pieris brassicae (Large White) Diversity 76 genera 1,051 species Subfamilies Dismorphiinae Pseudopontiinae Pierinae Coliadinae The Pieridae are a large family of butterflies. ... Diversity 633 genera 5,698 species Type Species Nymphalis polychloros (Large Tortoiseshell) Subfamilies Biblidinae Calinaginae Charaxinae Cyrestinae Danainae Heliconiinae Libytheinae Limenitidinae Morphinae Nymphalinae Satyrinae The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies. ... Subfamilies Curetinae - Sunbeams Liphyrinae Lipteninae Lycaeninae - Coppers Miletinae - Harvesters Polyommatinae - Blues Poritiinae Styginae (disputed) Theclinae - Hairstreaks, Elfins and see text The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. ... Categories: Animal stubs | Butterflies ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... In scientific classification used in biology, the order (Latin: ordo, plural ordines) is a rank between class and family (termed a taxon at that rank). ... The order Lepidoptera is the second most speciose order in the class Insecta and includes the butterflies, moths and skippers. ... A life cycle is a period involving one generation of an organism through means of reproduction, whether through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction. ... A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... This article is about a form of an insect. ... Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) pupa Chrysalis redirects here: for other meanings see Chrysalis (disambiguation). ... A Pieris rapae larva An older Pieris rapae larva A Pieris rapae pupa A Pieris rapae adult Metamorphosis is a process in biology by which an individual physically develops after birth or hatching, and involves significant change in form as well as growth and differentiation. ... Butterfly watching (also called butterflying) is a hobby concerned with the observation and study of butterflies. ...

Butterflies comprise of the true butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea), the skippers (Superfamily Hesperioidea) and the moth-butterflies (Superfamily Hedyloidea). Butterflies exhibit polymorphism, mimicry and aposematism. Some are known to migrate over large distances. Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Economically, butterflies are important by virtue of their being one of the major agents of pollination, in addition to a number of species which are pests on domestic crops and trees. Families Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Libytheidae The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea. ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Diversity Roughly 40 species Hedyloidea is the superfamily of American butterfly moths. ... In general, polymorphism describes multiple possible states for a single property (it is said to be polymorphic). ... Plate from Henry Walter Bates (1862) illustrating Batesian mimicry between Dismorphia species (top row, third row) and various Ithomiini (Nymphalidae) (second row, bottom row). ... The bright colours of this Yellow-winged Darter dragonfly serve as a warning to predators of its noxious taste. ...

Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts.

Origin and distribution

Butterflies are nested within the evolutionary tree of moths. Their origins may date back to the Cretaceous Period, ending 65 million years ago.^[1] Unfortunately, the fossil record is very limited. The oldest known fossil is an unnamed possible skipper butterfly from the Upper Palaeocene (around 57 million year old) of Fur, Denmark ^[2]. One of the most beautifully preserved is a Metalmark butterfly (Voltinia dramba) from 25 million year old Dominican amber^[3]. This article is about biological evolution. ... The Cretaceous period is one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, reaching from the end of the Jurassic period (about 135 mya) to the beginning of the Paleocene epoch of the Tertiary period (65 mya). ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... The Paleocene epoch (65-56 MYA) (early dawn of the recent) is the first geologic epoch of the Palaeogene period in the modern Cenozoic era. ... Genera Subfamily Euselasiinae Euselasia Hades Subfamily Riodininae Abisara Ancyluris Anteros Apodemia Baeotis Calephelis Calephilis Caliocasma Calosphila Calydna Caria Charis Emesis Esthemopsis Eurybia Hypophila Isapis Juditha Lasaia Lemonias Lepricornis Leucochimona Lyropteryx Melanis Mesene Mesosemia Napaea Nymphidium Pachythone Pandemos Perophthalma Rhetus Sarota Symmachia Theope Thisbe The Riodinidae (or Metalmarks) are a family... Dominican Amber differentiates itself from Baltic amber by the fact that it is nearly always transparent and has the highest amount of fossil enclosures. ...

Butterflies are today distributed throughout the world except in the very cold and arid regions. There are an estimated 17,500 species of butterflies (Papilionoidea) out of about 180,000 species of Lepidoptera.^[4]

Classification

Blue Morpho, Family Nymphalidae

Meadow Argus, a common species of Australia

Presently butterflies are classified in three superfamilies, Hedyloidea, consisting of the 'American moth-butterflies', Hesperioidea, consisting of the 'skippers' and Papilionoidea or 'true butterflies'. The last two superfamilies are probably sister taxa, so the butterflies collectively are thought to constitute a natural group or clade. Download high resolution version (807x730, 119 KB)Photograph of a Blue Morpho butterfly (Morpho menelaus) by Gregory Phillips. ... Download high resolution version (807x730, 119 KB)Photograph of a Blue Morpho butterfly (Morpho menelaus) by Gregory Phillips. ... Species M. achilleana M. adonis Sunset Morpho, M. helena M. menelaus M. peleides White Morpho, … A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 described species of the genus Morpho. ... Download high resolution version (1098x885, 166 KB)Meadow Argus Butterfly (full-on shot). ... Download high resolution version (1098x885, 166 KB)Meadow Argus Butterfly (full-on shot). ... Binomial name Junonia villida Godart, 1819 The Meadow Argus Butterfly (Junonia villida) is a butterfly commonly found in Australia. ... Diversity Roughly 40 species Hedyloidea is the superfamily of American butterfly moths. ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Families Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Libytheidae The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea. ... This cladogram shows the relationship among various insect groups. ... A clade is a term belonging to the discipline of cladistics. ...

The scope of the term butterfly depends on how far the concept is extended. Currently, most experts include the superfamilies Hedyloidea (the American moth-butterflies), Hesperioidea (the skippers) and Papilionoidea (the so-called 'true' butterflies). This concept of butterflies including the Hedyloidea is a recently expanded one, but it makes the group a natural clade, the Rhopalocera.^[6] For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Diversity Roughly 40 species Hedyloidea is the superfamily of American butterfly moths. ... Type species Hesperia comma Silver-spotted skipper Diversity 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Families Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Libytheidae The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea. ... A clade is a term belonging to the discipline of cladistics. ...

Butterfly families

The five families of true butterflies usually recognized in the Papilionoidea are:- Families Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Libytheidae The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea. ...

• Family Papilionidae, the Swallowtails and Birdwings
• Family Pieridae, the cool Whites and Yellows
• Family Lycaenidae, the Blues and Coppers, also called the Gossamer-Winged Butterflies
• Family Riodinidae, the Metalmark butterflies
• Family Nymphalidae, the Brush-footed butterflies

The superfamily Hesperioidea comprises one family only, albeit a large one, the skippers of family Hesperiidae, whereas the superfamily Hedyloidea also consists of a single family Hedylidae but with a monotypic genus Macrosoma comprising 35 species. Author: Latreille, 1802 Type species: Papilio machaon (Common Yellow Swallowtail) Diversity: 26 genera 605 species Genera Subfamily Baroniinae Baronia Subfamily Parnassiinae Archon Hypermnestra Parnassus Luehdorfia Bhutantis Alancastria Serecinus Subfamily Papilioninae Eurytides Graphium Iphiclides Lamproptera Mimoides Protesilaus Protographium Teinopalpus Atrophaneura Battus Byasa Cressida Euryades Losaria Ornithoptera Pachliopta Parides Pharmacophagus Trogonoptera Troides... Author: Latreille, 1802 Type species: Papilio machaon (Common Yellow Swallowtail) Diversity: 26 genera 605 species Genera Subfamily Baroniinae Baronia Subfamily Parnassiinae Archon Hypermnestra Parnassus Luehdorfia Bhutantis Alancastria Serecinus Subfamily Papilioninae Eurytides Graphium Iphiclides Lamproptera Mimoides Protesilaus Protographium Teinopalpus Atrophaneura Battus Byasa Cressida Euryades Losaria Ornithoptera Pachliopta Parides Pharmacophagus Trogonoptera Troides... Species Many; see article Birdwings are large, tropical papilionid butterflies native to mainland and archipelagic Southeast Asia and Australasia (with one Indian species), and are usually regarded as belonging to three genera: Ornithoptera, Trogonoptera and Troides. ... Type species Pieris brassicae (Large White) Diversity 76 genera 1,051 species Subfamilies Dismorphiinae Pseudopontiinae Pierinae Coliadinae The Pieridae are a large family of butterflies. ... Subfamilies Curetinae - Sunbeams Liphyrinae Lipteninae Lycaeninae - Coppers Miletinae - Harvesters Polyommatinae - Blues Poritiinae Styginae (disputed) Theclinae - Hairstreaks, Elfins and see text The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. ... Categories: Animal stubs | Butterflies ... Categories: Animal stubs | Butterflies ... Subfamilies Apaturinae Argynninae Biblidinae Calinaginae Charaxinae Cyrestinae Danainae Heliconiinae Libytheinae Limenitidinae Morphinae Nymphalinae Satyrinae Author: Swainson, 1827 Type species: Nymphalis polychloros (Large Tortoiseshell) Diversity: 633 genera, 5,698 species The Nymphalidae are a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies. ... Diversity 633 genera 5,698 species Type Species Nymphalis polychloros (Large Tortoiseshell) Subfamilies Biblidinae Calinaginae Charaxinae Cyrestinae Danainae Heliconiinae Libytheinae Limenitidinae Morphinae Nymphalinae Satyrinae The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies. ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Author: Latreille, 1809 Type species: Hesperia comma (Silver-spotted skipper) Diversity: 550 genera 3,500 species Subfamilies Coeliadinae Pyrrhopyginae Hesperiinae Heteropterinae Pyrginae Trapezitinae The Skippers are a group of insects in the order Lepidoptera. ... Diversity Roughly 40 species Hedyloidea is the superfamily of American butterfly moths. ... Genera See text. ... Currently Monotype Imaging, Inc, a typesetting and typeface design company responsible for many developments in printing technology — in particular the Monotype machine which was the first fully mechanical typesetter — and the design and production of typefaces in the 19th and 20th centuries. ... Diversity 35 currently recognised species Type species Macrosoma tipulata Hübner, 1818 Genus and synonymy Macrosoma Hübner, 1818 =Epirrita Hübner, 1808 [unavailable name] =Hedyle Guenée, 1857, type species Hedyle heliconiaria Guenée, 1857 =Phellinodes Guenée, 1857, type species Phellinodes satellitiata Guenée, 1857 =Venodes Guenée...

Taxonomic issues

A study combining morphological and molecular data concluded that Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae and Riodinidae could all be strongly supported as monophyletic groups, but the monophyletic status of Nymphalidae is uncertain. Lycaenidae and Riodinidae were confirmed as sister taxa, and Papilionidae as the outgroup to the rest of the true butterflies, but the location of Pieridae within the pattern of descent was unclear, with different lines of evidence suggesting different conclusions. The data suggested that the Hedyloidea are indeed more closely related to the butterflies than to other moths.^[7] In phylogenetics, a group is monophyletic (Greek: of one stem) if all organisms in that group are known to have developed from a common ancestral form, and all descendants of that form are included in the group. ... Subfamilies Apaturinae Argynninae Biblidinae Calinaginae Charaxinae Cyrestinae Danainae Heliconiinae Libytheinae Limenitidinae Morphinae Nymphalinae Satyrinae Author: Swainson, 1827 Type species: Nymphalis polychloros (Large Tortoiseshell) Diversity: 633 genera, 5,698 species The Nymphalidae are a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies. ...

Some older classifications recognize additional families, for example Danaidae, Heliconiidae, Libytheidae and Satyridae, but modern classifications treat these as subfamilies within the Nymphalidae. American or Common Snout Butterfly Family Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies) / Subfamily Libytheinae (Snouts)/ Species: Libytheana carinenta also known as Libytheana bachmanii Snout butterflies have prominent elongated mouthparts (labial palpi) which, in concert with the antennae, give the appearance of the petiole (stem) of a dead leaf. ...

Butterflies and moths

Main article: Differences between butterflies and moths

The dichotomous classification of lepidopterans into butterflies and moths is one that is popular but not used in taxonomy. The folk groups of butterflies and moths can be distinguished using several features but there are exceptions to most of these rules. A common classification of the Lepidoptera involves their differentiation into butterflies and moths. ...

The four stages in the lifecycle of a butterfly

Mating Common Buckeye Butterflies

Unlike many insects, butterflies do not experience a nymph period, but instead go through a pupal stage which lies between the larva and the adult stage (the imago). Butterflies are termed as holometabolous insects, and go through complete metamorphosis. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2422 × 1615 pixel, file size: 331 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Mating Common Buckeyes, found in the United States. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2422 × 1615 pixel, file size: 331 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Mating Common Buckeyes, found in the United States. ... Praying mantis nymphs, approximately 4mm long, clustered on a leaf In biology, a nymph is the immature form of some insect species, which undergoes incomplete metamorphosis (Hemimetabolism) before reaching its adult stage; unlike a larva, a nymphs overall form already resembles that of an adult. ... The imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from pupation where the metamorphosis is complete. ... Holometabolism, also called complete metamorphism, is a term applied to insect groups to describe the specific kind of insect development which includes four life stages - as an embryo, a larva, a pupa and an imago. ...

• Egg
• Larva, known as a caterpillar
• Pupa (chrysalis)
• Adult butterfly (imago)

It is a popular belief that butterflies have very short life spans. However, butterflies in their adult stage can live from a week to nearly a year depending on the species. Many species have long larval life stages while others can remain dormant in their pupal or egg stages and thereby survive winters.^[8] In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... This article is about a form of an insect. ... Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) pupa Chrysalis redirects here: for other meanings see Chrysalis (disambiguation). ... Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) pupa Chrysalis redirects here: for other meanings see Chrysalis (disambiguation). ... The imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from pupation where the metamorphosis is complete. ... Embryonic diapause, in mammals is a condition where pre-implantation blastocysts are maintained in a state of dormancy, often due to environmental cues, until such time as the environment improves. ...

Butterflies may have one or more broods per year. The number of generations per year varies from temperate to tropical regions with tropical regions showing a trend towards multivoltinism. Voltinism is a term used in biology to indicate the number of broods or generations of an organisms in a year. ...

Egg

Egg of Ariadne merione

Butterfly eggs consist of a hard-ridged outer layer of shell, called the chorion. This is lined with a thin coating of wax which prevents the egg from drying out before the larva has had time to fully develop. Each egg contains a number of tiny funnel-shaped openings at one end, called micropyles; the purpose of these holes is to allow sperm to enter and fertilize the egg. Butterfly and moth eggs vary greatly in size between species, but they are all either spherical or ovate. Image File history File linksMetadata Ariadne_merione_egg_sec. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Ariadne_merione_egg_sec. ... This article needs to be wikified. ...

Butterfly eggs are fixed to a leaf with a special glue which hardens rapidly. As it hardens it contracts, deforming the shape of the egg. This glue is easily seen surrounding the base of every egg forming a meniscus. The nature of the glue is unknown and is a suitable subject for research. The same glue is produced by a pupa to secure the setae of the cremaster. This glue is so hard that the silk pad, to which the setae are glued, cannot be separated.

Eggs are usually laid on plants. Each species of butterfly has its own hostplant range and while some species of butterfly are restricted to just one species of plant, others use a range of plant species, often including members of a common family.

The egg stage lasts a few weeks in most butterflies but eggs laid close to winter, especially in temperate regions, go through a diapause stage, and the hatching may take place only in spring. Other butterflies may lay their eggs in the spring and have them hatch in the summer. These butterflies are usually northernly species (Mourning cloak, Tortoiseshells)

Caterpillars

Ant tending a lycaenid caterpillar

Larvae, or caterpillars, are multi-legged eating machines. They consume plant leaves and spend practically all of their time in search of food. Although most caterpillars are herbivorous, a few species such as Spalgis epius and Liphyra brassolis are entomophagous (insect eating). Some larvae, especially those of the Lycaenidae form mutual associations with ants. They communicate with the ants using vibrations that are transmitted through the substrate as well as using chemical signals.^[9][10] The ants provide some degree of protection to these larvae and they in turn gather honeydew secretions. Image File history File linksMetadata Lycaenid_ant_sec. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Lycaenid_ant_sec. ... Subfamilies Curetinae - Sunbeams Liphyrinae Lipteninae Lycaeninae - Coppers Miletinae - Harvesters Polyommatinae - Blues Poritiinae Styginae (disputed) Theclinae - Hairstreaks, Elfins and see text The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. ... This article is about a form of an insect. ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Look up foliage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Binomial name Spalgis epius (Westwood, 1851) The Apefly (Spalgis epius) is a small butterfly found in India that belongs to the Lycaenids or Blues family. ... Binomial name Liphyra brassolis Westwood 1864 The Moth Butterfly (Liphyra brassolis) is a butterfly found in Asia and Australia that belongs to the Lycaenids or Blues family. ... Entomophagy is the habit of eating insects as food. ... Subfamilies Curetinae - Sunbeams Liphyrinae Lipteninae Lycaeninae - Coppers Miletinae - Harvesters Polyommatinae - Blues Poritiinae Styginae (disputed) Theclinae - Hairstreaks, Elfins and see text The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. ... In biology, mutualism is an interaction between two or more species, where both species derive benefit. ... Honeydew is a sugar-rich sticky substance secreted by aphids and some scale insects as they feed on plant sap. ...

Caterpillars mature through a series of stages, called instars. Near the end of each instar, the larva undergoes a process called apolysis, in which the cuticle, a mixture of chitin and specialized proteins, is released from the epidermis and the epidermis begins to form a new cuticle beneath. At the end of each instar, the larva moults the old cuticle, and the new cuticle rapidly hardens and pigments. Development of butterfly wing patterns begins by the last larval instar. Eacles imperialis caterpillar undergoing apolysis Apolysis is the separation of the cuticula from the epidermis in arthropods and related groups (Ecdysozoa). ... Eponychium is the anatomical term for the human cuticle In biology, the term cuticle or cuticula is given to to a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or part of an organism, that provide prtoection. ... Structure of the chitin molecule, showing two of the N-Acetylglucosamine units that repeat to form long chains in beta-1,4 linkage. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Look up Epidermis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up Epidermis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Eponychium is the anatomical term for the human cuticle In biology, the term cuticle or cuticula is given to to a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or part of an organism, that provide prtoection. ... Ecdysis is the molting of the cuticula in arthropods and related groups (Ecdysozoa). ... Eponychium is the anatomical term for the human cuticle In biology, the term cuticle or cuticula is given to to a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or part of an organism, that provide prtoection. ... Eponychium is the anatomical term for the human cuticle In biology, the term cuticle or cuticula is given to to a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or part of an organism, that provide prtoection. ...

Butterfly caterpillars have three pairs of true legs from the thoracic segments and up to 6 pairs of prolegs arising from the abdominal segments. These prolegs have rings of tiny hooks called crochets that help them grip the substrate. This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Some caterpillars have the ability to inflate parts of their head to appear snake-like. Many have false eye-spots to enhance this effect. Some caterpillars have special structures called osmeteria which are everted to produce smelly chemicals. These are used in defense.

Host plants often have toxic substances in them and caterpillars are able to sequester these substances and retain them into the adult stage. This helps making them unpalatable to birds and other predators. Such unpalatibility is advertised using bright red, orange, black or white warning colours. The toxic chemicals in plants are often evolved specifically to prevent them from being eaten by insects. Insects in turn develop countermeasures or make use of these toxins for their own survival. This "arms race" has led to the coevolution of insects and their host plants.^[11] Sequestration, the act of removing, separating or seizing anything from the possession of its owner, particularly in law, of the taking possession of property under process of law for the benefit of creditors or the state. ...

Wing development

Close Up Detail of a Butterfly wing

Last instar wing disk, Junonia coenia

Wings or wing pads are not visible on the outside of the larva, but when larvae are dissected, tiny developing wing disks can be found on the second and third thoracic segments, in place of the spiracles that are apparent on abdominal segments. Wing disks develop in association with a trachea that runs along the base of the wing, and are surrounded by a thin peripodial membrane, which is linked to the outer epidermis of the larva by a tiny duct. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x1067, 618 KB) Close up detail of a Ulysses Butterfly wing. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x1067, 618 KB) Close up detail of a Ulysses Butterfly wing. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1475x1426, 3411 KB) On the last day of the last (fifth) larval instar, the wing disks of Junonia coenia grow at a tremendous rate and accumulate the soluble brown substance visible in this photo. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1475x1426, 3411 KB) On the last day of the last (fifth) larval instar, the wing disks of Junonia coenia grow at a tremendous rate and accumulate the soluble brown substance visible in this photo. ...

Wing disks are very small until the last larval instar, when they increase dramatically in size, are invaded by branching tracheae from the wing base that precede the formation of the wing veins, and begin to develop patterns associated with several landmarks of the wing. Many terrestrial arthropods have evolved a closed respiratory system composed of spiracles, tracheae, and tracheoles to transport metabolic gasses to and from tissue. ...

Near pupation, the wings are forced outside the epidermis under pressure from the hemolymph, and although they are initially quite flexible and fragile, by the time the pupa breaks free of the larval cuticle they have adhered tightly to the outer cuticle of the pupa (in obtect pupae). Within hours, the wings form a cuticle so hard and well-joined to the body that pupae can be picked up and handled without damage to the wings. Hemolymph (or haemolymph) is the blood analogue used by all arthropods and most mollusks that have an open circulatory system. ...

Pupa

Pupation of Inachis io

Chrysalis of Gulf Fritillary

When the larva is fully grown, hormones such as prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) are produced. At this point the larva stops feeding and begins "wandering" in the quest of a suitable pupation site, often the underside of a leaf. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (960x720, 179 KB) Inachis io caterpillar, pupating; Steps: 60 seconds German Description: Verpuppung einer Raupe von Inachis io (Tagpfauenauge) in 60-Sekunden-Schritten Photo by: Mnolf Date: 10. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (960x720, 179 KB) Inachis io caterpillar, pupating; Steps: 60 seconds German Description: Verpuppung einer Raupe von Inachis io (Tagpfauenauge) in 60-Sekunden-Schritten Photo by: Mnolf Date: 10. ... Binomial name Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) The European peacock, or simply Peacock (Inachis io) is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe and Asia. ... Chrysalis of Gulf Fritillary Image copyleft: Image taken by me, released under GFDL Pollinator 03:36, Nov 9, 2004 (UTC) ( ) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Chrysalis of Gulf Fritillary Image copyleft: Image taken by me, released under GFDL Pollinator 03:36, Nov 9, 2004 (UTC) ( ) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Binomial name Agraulis vanillae (Linnaeus, 1758) The Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, a striking, bright orange butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. ... Norepinephrine A hormone (from Greek όρμή - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. ...

The larva transforms into a pupa (or chrysalis) by anchoring itself to a substrate and moulting for the last time. The chrysalis is usually incapable of movement, although some species can rapidly move the abdominal segments or produce sounds to scare potential predators. Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) pupa Chrysalis redirects here: for other meanings see Chrysalis (disambiguation). ...

The pupal transformation into a butterfly through metamorphosis has held great appeal to mankind. To transform from the miniature wings visible on the outside of the pupa into large structures usable for flight, the pupal wings undergo rapid mitosis and absorb a great deal of nutrients. If one wing is surgically removed early on, the other three will grow to a larger size. In the pupa, the wing forms a structure that becomes compressed from top to bottom and pleated from proximal to distal ends as it grows, so that it can rapidly be unfolded to its full adult size. Several boundaries seen in the adult color pattern are marked by changes in the expression of particular transcription factors in the early pupa. A Pieris rapae larva An older Pieris rapae larva A Pieris rapae pupa A Pieris rapae adult Metamorphosis is a process in biology by which an individual physically develops after birth or hatching, and involves significant change in form as well as growth and differentiation. ...

Adult or Imago

The adult, sexually mature, stage of the insect is known as the imago. As Lepidoptera, butterflies have four wings that are covered with tiny scales (see photo). The fore and hindwings are not hooked together, permitting a more graceful flight. An adult butterfly has six legs, but in the nymphalids, the first pair is reduced. After it emerges from its pupal stage, a butterfly cannot fly until the wings are unfolded. A newly-emerged butterfly needs to spend some time inflating its wings with blood and letting them dry, during which time it is extremely vulnerable to predators. Some butterflies wings may take up to 3 hours to dry while others take about 1 hour. Most butterflies and moths will excrete excess dye after hatching. This fluid may be white, red, orange, or in rare cases, blue. The imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from pupation where the metamorphosis is complete. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ...

External morphology

Main article: Glossary of Lepidopteran terms

Morphology of a butterfly

This article provides a list of terms used in the formal descriptions of butterfly species. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Insects display a wide variety of antennal shapes. ... “Human Head” redirects here. ... Compound eye of a dragonfly Compound eye of Antarctic krill as imaged by an electron microscope A compound eye is a visual organ found in certain arthropods such as insects and crustaceans. ... In general, a proboscis (from Greek pro before and boskein to feed) is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal. ... Diagram of a tsetse fly, showing the head, thorax and abdomen The thorax is a division of an animals body that lies between the head and the abdomen. ... The femur or thigh bone is the longest, most voluminous, and strongest bone of the mammalian bodies. ... This article is about the vertebrate bone. ... An insect leg The arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... For the human abdomen, see human abdomen. ... Hindwings are the second (caudal) pair of insect wings. ... A spur is a metal instrument composed of a shank, neck, and prick, rowel (sharp-toothed wheel), or blunted end fastened to the heel of a horseman. ... A scorpion tail The tail is the section at the rear end of an animals body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. ... Look up apex in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In the circulatory system, a vein is a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart. ... The more forward of the two pairs of wings of an insect. ... The costal margin is the medial margin formed by the false ribs -- specifically, from the seventh rib to the tenth rib. ...

Scales

Scales on the wing give the colours

Butterflies are characterized by their scale covered wings. The coloration of butterfly wings is created by minute scales. These scales are pigmented with melanins that give them blacks and browns, but blues, greens, reds and iridescence are usually created not by pigments but the microstructure of the scales. This structural coloration is the result of coherent scattering of light by the photonic crystal nature of the scales.^[12][13][14] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1043x1019, 168 KB) Description: Butterfly wing, yellow part, scales Author, date of creation: selfmade by Shaddack, 22 October 2005 Source: self-made Copyright: GFDL Comments: Microphotography from a homemade rig File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1043x1019, 168 KB) Description: Butterfly wing, yellow part, scales Author, date of creation: selfmade by Shaddack, 22 October 2005 Source: self-made Copyright: GFDL Comments: Microphotography from a homemade rig File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to... The opal in this bracelet contains a natural periodic microstructure responsible for its iridescent color. ...

Polymorphism

Many adult butterflies exhibit polymorphism, showing differences in appearance. These variations include geographic variants and seasonal forms. In addition many species have females in multiple forms, often with mimetic forms. Sexual dimorphism in coloration and appearance is widespread in butterflies. In addition many species show sexual dimorphism in the patterns of ultraviolet reflectivity, while otherwise appearing identical to the unaided human eye. Most of the butterflies have a sex-determination system that is represented as ZW with females being the heterogametic sex (ZW) and males homogametic (ZZ).^[15] Female (left) and male Common Pheasant, illustrating the dramatic difference in both color and size, between the sexes Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species. ... A sex-determination system is a biological system that determines the development of sexual characteristics in an organism. ... The ZW sex-determination system is a system that birds, some fishes, and some insects (including butterflies and moths) use to determine the sex of their offspring. ...

Genetic abnormalities such as gynandromorphy also occur from time to time. In addition many butterflies are infected by Wolbachia and infection by the bacteria can lead to the conversion of males into females^[16] or the selective killing of males in the egg stage.^[17] A gynandromorph is an organism that contains both male and female characteristics. ... Wolbachia is a genus of inherited bacterium that infects arthropod species, including a high proportion of all insects. ...

Mimicry

The Heliconius butterflies from the tropics of the Western Hemisphere are the classical model for Müllerian mimicry.^[18]

Batesian and Mullerian mimicry in butterflies is common. Batesian mimics imitate other species to enjoy the protection of an attribute they do not share, aposematism in this case. The Common Mormon of India has female morphs which imitate the unpalatable red-bodied swallowtails, the Common Rose and the Crimson Rose. Mullerian mimicry occurs when aposematic species evolve to resemble each other, presumably to reduce predator sampling rates, the Heliconius butterflies of the Americas being a good example. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 598 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2100 × 2107 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 598 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2100 × 2107 pixel, file size: 3. ... Species Many, including Heliconius charitonius Heliconius cydno Heliconius erato Heliconius hecale Heliconius ismenius Heliconius melpomene Heliconius nattereri Heliconius sara Heliconius comprise a colorful and widespread butterfly genus distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. ... For other uses, see Mimic (disambiguation). ... A mimic is any species that has evolved to appear similar to another successful species in order to dupe predators into avoiding the mimic, or dupe prey into approaching the mimic. ... The bright colours of this Yellow-winged Darter dragonfly serve as a warning to predators of its noxious taste. ... Binomial name Papilio polytes (Linneaus, 1758) The Common Mormon Papilio polytes is a common species of swallowtail butterfly found in India , Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Phillipines and the Moluccas. ... Binomial name Atrophaneura (Pachliopta) aristolochiae (Fabricius, 1775) The Common Rose (Atrophaneura (Pachliopta) aristolochiae) is a swallowtail butterfly belonging to the Pachliopta subgenus, the Roses, of the genus Atrophaneura or Red-bodied Swallowtails. ... Binomial name Pachliopta hector (Linneaus, 1758) Synonyms Atrophaneura hector Crimson Rose Pachliopta hector is a large swallowtail butterfly belonging to the Pachliopta genus, that is, the Roses or the Red-bodied Swallowtails, of Family Papilionidae. ... Species Many, including Heliconius charitonius Heliconius cydno Heliconius erato Heliconius hecale Heliconius ismenius Heliconius melpomene Heliconius nattereri Heliconius sara Heliconius comprise a colorful and widespread butterfly genus distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. ...

Wing markings called eyespots are present in some species; these may have an automimicry role for some species. In others, the function may be intraspecies communication, such as mate attraction. In several cases, however, the function of butterfly eyespots is not clear, and may be an evolutionary anomaly related to the relative elasticity of the genes that encode the spots.^[19][20] Eyespots on a peafowl. ... A mimic is any species that has evolved to appear similar to another successful species in order to dupe predators into avoiding the mimic, or dupe prey into approaching the mimic. ...

Seasonal polyphenism

Many of the tropical butterflies have distinctive seasonal forms. This phenomenon is termed seasonal polyphenism and the seasonal forms of the butterflies are called the dry-season and wet-season forms. How the season affects the genetic expression of patterns is still a subject of research.^[21] Experimental modification by ecdysone hormone treatment has demonstrated that it is possible to control the continuum of expression of variation between the wet and dry-season forms.^[22] The dry-season forms are usually more cryptic and it has been suggested that the protection offered may be an adaptation. Some also show greater dark colours in the wet-season form which may have thermoregulatory advantages by increasing ability to absorb solar radiation.^[23]

Habits

The Monarch butterfly

Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers. Some also derive nourishment from pollen, tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt. Butterflies play an important ecological role as pollinators. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixelsFull resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 592 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph of a Monarch Butterfly. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixelsFull resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 592 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph of a Monarch Butterfly. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a well-known North American butterfly. ... In Greek mythology, nectar and ambrosia are the food of the gods. ... SEM image of pollen grains from a variety of common plants: sunflower (Helianthus annuus), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), prairie hollyhock (Sidalcea malviflora), oriental lily (Lilium auratum), evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa), and castor bean (Ricinus communis). ... A pollinator is the agent that moves pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of a flower to accomplish fertil