butterflies and moths

Lepidoptera is the order of insects commonly called butterflies and moths. As of 2007, there were about 174,250 described Lepidopteran species in 126 families in 46 superfamilies worldwide. A more recent estimate suggests that there are probably about 300,000 described and undescribed species. Most species by far occur in the tropics. There are more than 12,766 species in 89 families in North America north of Mexico. At least 220 of those are introduced, non-native species. There are at least 1,206 species in 27 superfamilies in Minnesota.

Lepidoptera is a very widespread and widely recognized order. Lepidopterans occur on every continent except Antarctica.

Lepidopterans feed only on plants. Most larvae feed on plant foliage. Many species are important agricultural pests. Most adults feed on flower nectar. In the process, they brush against flower stamens and pick up pollen, which they transfer to the stigma of the next flower they visit. Some adults do not feed.

The mouthparts are optimized for sucking. They take the form of an elongated, coiled, tube (proboscis) with one to five segments. There is also a pair of conspicuous, well developed, finger-like, sense organs (labial palps). The labial palps are densely covered with hair-like scales and appear furry. The maxillary palps on almost all species, and the jaws (mandibles) on most species, are absent, or if present, are not functional (vestigial). The antennae are long and slender. On moths, they are sometimes feather-like (plumose). On butterflies, they are always knobbed at the tip.

Parts of the thorax and abdomen are covered with hair-like scales.

Almost all species have four membranous wings. The forewings are a little larger than the hindwings. The wings are entirely or mostly covered with minute, flattened, blade-like scales.

The larvae (caterpillars) are cylindrical. The thorax has three segments, the abdomen has ten segments. There are three pairs of short true legs on the thorax, and up to five pairs of leg-like structures (prolegs) on the abdomen. The head is well developed and has mandibles for chewing.

Sources

4, 30.

The order Lepidoptera was historically divided into four suborders: Zeuglopteram, Aglossata, Heterobathmiina, and Glossata. That classification was problematic, with lineages that consisted of one common ancestor but not all of its descendants – they were paraphyletic. Recently, lepidopterists have abandoned suborders and all other taxonomic ranks between orders and superfamilies.

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota