lepidoptera
Moths and butterflies
Lepidoptera is the order of insects comprising butterflies and moths, characterized by two pairs of wings covered in tiny scales.
The term appears in scientific and naturalist contexts: The lepidoptera of the Amazon basin remain incompletely cataloged.
Most non-specialists simply say butterflies and moths. (Capitalized Lepidoptera is the standard scientific form.)
Moth or butterfly young
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- larvaImmature feeding stage
instar · molting · pupation · imago · emergence · diapause · silk · spinning
Sensory appendages on insects
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
- compound eyeMulti-lensed arthropod organ
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- thoraxCentral body cavity
abdomen · spiracles · ocelli · forewing · hindwing · eyespot · frenulum · tympanum
Showing shifting spectral colors
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- eyespotCircular marking resembling an iris
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- venationArrangement of veins
hindwing · forewing · wingspan · coloration · mimicry · camouflage · pigmentation · cryptic
Floral sugar water
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
- flowerPlant's reproductive organ
- night-bloomingFlowering after sunset
- hawk mothFast-flying nocturnal pollinator
orchid · coevolution · mutualism · feeding · nectary · moonflower · lantana
Hereditary supreme ruler
- swallowtailButterfly with forked hindwings
- painted ladyWidespread migratory butterfly
- red admiralBlack butterfly, orange stripes
- viceroyRoyal colonial governor
fritillary · admiral · skipper · hairstreak · sulphur · peacock · birdwing · cloudless
caterpillar
Moth or butterfly young
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- pupaInsect's resting stage
larva · instar · molting · pupation · imago · emergence · diapause · silk · spinning · life cycle
antennae
Sensory appendages on insects
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
- compound eyeMulti-lensed arthropod organ
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
thorax · abdomen · spiracles · ocelli · forewing · hindwing · eyespot · frenulum · tympanum · tarsi
iridescent
Showing shifting spectral colors
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- eyespotCircular marking resembling an iris
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
venation · hindwing · forewing · wingspan · coloration · mimicry · camouflage · pigmentation · cryptic · disruptive
nectar
Floral sugar water
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
- flowerPlant's reproductive organ
- night-bloomingFlowering after sunset
hawk moth · orchid · coevolution · mutualism · feeding · nectary · moonflower · lantana
monarch
Hereditary supreme ruler
- swallowtailButterfly with forked hindwings
- painted ladyWidespread migratory butterfly
- red admiralBlack butterfly, orange stripes
viceroy · fritillary · admiral · skipper · hairstreak · sulphur · peacock · birdwing · cloudless · buckeye
flutter
Rapid light movement
wingbeat · basking · thermoregulation · roosting · puddling · dispersal · territorial · erratic · hovering
luna
Pale green saturnid
- sphinxMysterious, unreadable person
- hawkmothLarge hovering lepidopteran
- silkwormMoth larva yielding fiber
atlas · emperor · tiger moth · clearwing · peppered · gypsy · clothes moth · codling
- Lepidopterabutterflies, moths, monarch, cocoons, chrysalis
lepidopteracoleoptera
Order containing beetles
diptera · beetles · flies · hymenoptera · orthoptera
lepidopteracockroaches
Hardy household insect pests
flies · maggots · beetles · mosquitoes · locusts