Explanation of Names
Lepidoptera means "scale wing", from Greek: lepis (λεπις / genitive form λεπιδος)- "scale" + ptera (πτερα)- "wing"
Numbers
Insects of Cedar Creek lists 75 families, and cites 11,293 species in North America.
All-Leps lists 82 families and 12,423 species in North America.
Identification
Members of this order have four membranous wings (rarely wingless); hindwings are a little smaller than forewings, both largely or entirely covered with scales. Mouthparts adapted for sucking, the
proboscis is usually in the form of a coiled tube. Some images showing the characteristics of the order lepidoptera:
Common practice is to divide the lepidoptera into two (or three) groups, though this is not, strictly speaking, a taxonomic division. (Butterflies and skippers are
monophyletic groups within the lepidoptera, but "moths" are a
paraphyletic group.)
Moths usually have feathery antennae and most are active at night. They generally rest with their wings open, either flat or "tented" over the body. When they
pupate above ground they generally form a protective
cocoon around the pupa. This is made of silk, often combined with other natural materials such as leaves or their own body hair. The caterpillars of many species dig into the ground to pupate.
Butterflies have thin antennae with "knobs" on the end and are generally active during the day. They rest with their wings closed above their bodies, and make a naked pupa also known as a
chrysalis.
Skippers are a separate group of butterflies, with many distinctive features. They are (mostly) day-flying, have knobbed antennae, and rest with wings folded or spread, depending on the group.
Date/time-of-year and food plant (for caterpillars) are sometimes helpful in determining the species of lepidoptera.
Habitat
Caterpillars are found in the habitat where their food is. Adults tend to be in the general area of their larval food plants, but many migrate over great distances.
Season
Caterpillars are active when their host plants are plentiful, which is often spring and summer. Adults are usually seen when there are flowers to feed on. Because they over-winter, though, there are individuals of some species to be found any time of the year, even in cold climates. Seasonal patterns are usually very specific for each species, and some can be told apart in the field only by when they're active.
Food
Most adult moths and butterflies feed on nectar sucked from flowers with their coiled, sucking mouthparts. In the process they may transfer pollen from one flower to another, and many plants depend on moths or butterflies for pollination.
Most caterpillars eat the leaves of plants (usually very specific kinds for each species), but some carnivorous species have been documented.
Life Cycle
These insects undergo
complete metamorphosis; that is, each individual goes through four stages: egg, larva (the caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis or cocoon), and adult.
The larval stage does most of the eating and growing, with the adults often staying alive just long enough to mate and lay eggs.
Remarks
Contrary to popular belief, butterflies and moths will not die if the scales are rubbed off their wings.
See Also
Trichoptera (caddisflies) tend to have hairs rather than scales on their wings; no coiled
proboscis Print References
Borror and White, page 218
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