Lepidopterans, members of the order Lepidoptera, are the second largest order of insects. They have developed heads with chewing mouthparts, have multiple legs, relatively large wings for their body size, and scales upon their wings. Nearly all lepidopteran larvae are called caterpillars.

Their distinctive, large wings, which are covered with overlapping scales, often have distinctive and bright color patterns that they use for courtship and intimidation, with characteristics such as eyespots. Many lepidopterans have tubular proboscis that lie coiled beneath their heads. This proboscis acts as a siphon tube for sipping liquid nutrients, such as nectar, from things such as flowers.

From a taxonomic standpoint, the distinction between moths and butterflies is largely artificial; some moths are more similar to butterflies than to other moths. As a rule, butterflies are diurnal and tend to be very colorful, whereas moths are mostly nocturnal and often come with more drab color schemes.

Species

• butterfly
• blue_morpho
• hairstreak_(butterfly)
• monarch_butterfly
• pale_clouded_yellow
• small_cabbage_white
• swallowtail_butterfly
• black_swallowtail
• emerald_swallowtail
• tiger_swallowtail
• moth
• flannel_moth
• hawk_moth
• death's-head_hawkmoth
• pellucid_hawk_moth
• luna_moth
• rosy_maple_moth
• tiger_moth
• giant_leopard_moth
• venezuelan_poodle_moth

General anatomy

• abdomen
• antennae
• compound_eyes
• eyespots
• mandibles
• proboscis
• wings
• butterfly_wings

See also

• ambient_insect
• ambient_butterfly
• ambient_moth
• arthropod
• insect
• lepidopteran