Pronunciation: lep-i-DOP-ter-a

Common name(s): butterflies & moths

Mouthparts:

larvae - chewing

adults -

maxillae modified into long proboscis for siphoning liquids; proboscis curled when not in use

some adults lack functioning mouthparts

Wings: 2 pr. covered with overlapping modified hairs (=scales) in camouflage (most moths) or bright (many butterflies) colors; some females are flightless.

Metamorphosis : complete (=holometabolous);

eggs often finely sculptered

larvae are caterpillars with head capsule, 3 pair of jointed legs and up to 5 pair of fleshy prolegs with specially modified hook-like hairs for movement

pupa, many larvae spin a silken cocoon.

Body characteristics:

adult - wings covered with colored scales

larvae - caterpillar with 3 pr. jointed legs & several pairs of prolegs

Where found: caterpillars are herbivores (some are serious pests); adults are attractive and highly mobile in flight - many frequent flowers (to sip nectar) or water sources (to get salts or minerals).

Economic impact: many crops valuable to humans have 1 or more caterpillar pests that often need control; stored products have major small moth pests; dried and processed plant and animal parts and products have significant moth pests; some caterpillars have stinging hairs; butterflies are well known for their beauty and widely celebrated in art and culture

Size of order: 140,000 species (11,000 in N. America) order reasonably well studied taxonomically

• Gordon's Entomological Homepage
• University of Arizona Tree of Life Page (Very Interesting Site!)