butterflies and moths
(order Lepidoptera)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
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. |
Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 4/19/2025 | ||
Taxonomy |
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Class |
Insecta (insects) |
Subclass |
Pterygota (winged and once-winged insects) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Superfamily Acanthopteroctetoidea Superfamily Adeloidea (fairy moths and allies) Superfamily Agathiphagoidea Superfamily Alucitoidea (many-plumed and false plume moths) Superfamily Andesianoidea Superfamily Bombycoidea (hawk, sphinx, silk, emperor, and allied moths) Superfamily Calliduloidea Superfamily Carposinoidea (=Copromorphoidea) (fruitworm moths) Superfamily Choreutoidea (metalmark moths) Superfamily Cossoidea (carpenter, leopard, goat, and allied moths) Superfamily Douglasioidea Superfamily Drepanoidea (hooktip moths and allies) Superfamily Epermenioidea (fringe-tufted moths) Superfamily Eriocranioidea (eriocraniid moths) Superfamily Galacticoidea (galacticid moths) Superfamily Gelechioidea (curved-hord moths) Superfamily Geometroidea (geometrid and swallowtail moths) Superfamily Gracillarioidea (ribbed cocoon-maker and leaf blotch miner moths) Superfamily Hepialoidea (ghost moths and swift moths) Superfamily Heterobathmioidea Superfamily Hyblaeoidea (teak moths) Superfamily Immoidea Superfamily Lasiocampoidea (tent caterpillar and lappet moths) Superfamily Lophocoronoidea Superfamily Micropterigoidea (mandibulate archaic moths) Superfamily Mimallonoidea (sack-bearer moths) Superfamily Neopseustoidea (archaic sun moths) Superfamily Nepticuloidea (pygmy leafminer moths) Superfamily Noctuoidea (owlet moths and allies) Superfamily Palaephatoidea Superfamily Papilionoidea (butterflies) Superfamily Pterophoroidea (plume moths and allies) Superfamily Pyraloidea (pyralid and crambid snout moths) Superfamily Schreckensteinioidea (bristle-legged moths) Superfamily Sesioidea (clearwing moths) Superfamily Simaethistoidea Superfamily Thyridoidea (picture-winged leaf moths) Superfamily Tineoidea (bagworms, clothes moths, and allies) Superfamily Tischerioidea (trumpet leafminer moths) Superfamily Tortricoidea (tortricid leafroller moths and allies) Superfamily Urodoidea (false burnet moths) Superfamily Whalleyanoidea Superfamily Yponomeutoidea (ermine moths and allies) Superfamily Zygaenoidea (flannel, slug caterpillar, leaf skeletonizer and allied moths) |
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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. |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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butterflies and moths |
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Glossary
Palp
Short for pedipalp. A segmented, finger-like process of an arthropod; one is attached to each maxilla and two are attached to the labium. They function as sense organs in spiders and insects, and as weapons in scorpions. Plural: palpi or palps.
Proboscis
The tube-like protruding mouthpart(s) of a sucking insect.
Proleg
A fleshy structure on the abdomen of some insect larvae that functions as a leg, but lacks the five segments of a true insect leg.
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Alfredo Colon |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Other Videos |
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Lepidoptera: The Butterflies and Moths - Order Spotlight |
About
Mar 30, 2023 Hear a quick crash course on one of the most common and beloved orders of insects, the Lepidoptera. Learn what they are, how to identify them, why they're so important, and when they can be a pest. |
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Alfredo Colon |
Location: Albany, NY |
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| Alfredo Colon 5/30/2021 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 6/16/2023 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |