Lepidoptera

From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change

The order Lepidoptera is the second biggest order in the class Insecta. It includes the butterflies, moths and skippers. Members of the order are referred to as lepidopterans. A person who collects or studies this order is referred to as a Lepidopterist. This order has more than 180,000 species^[1] in 128 families and 47 superfamilies. Only the order Coleoptera (the beetles) has more species. The name is derived from Ancient Greek λεπίδος (scale) and πτερόν (wing).

Contents 1 Characteristics of Lepidoptera 2 Images 3 Other websites 4 References

[change] Characteristics of Lepidoptera

Lepidopterans undergo complete metamorphosis. They have a four-stage life cycle of egg - larva / caterpillar - pupa -imago/adult. The larvae have a toughened (sclerotized) head capsule, chewing mouthparts, and a soft body, that may have hair-like or other projections, 3 pairs of true legs, and additional prolegs (up to 5 pairs). They can be confused with the larvae of sawflies. Lepidopteran larvae can be differentiated by the presence of crochets on the prolegs which are absent in the Symphyta (sawflies). Most caterpillars are herbivores, but a few are carnivores (some eat ants or other caterpillars) and detritivores.^[2]

Adults have two pairs of membranous wings covered, usually completely, by minute scales. In some species, wings are reduced or absent (often in the female but not the male). Antennae are prominent. In moths, males frequently have more feathery antennae than females, for detecting the female pheromones at a distance. Adult mouth parts, called a proboscis, are adapted for sucking nectar. Some species have reduced mouthparts (some species do not feed as adults), and others have them modified to pierce and suck blood or fruit juices (some Noctuids).^[3] See also: Differences between butterflies and moths

[change] Images

A butterfly

A moth

A Skipper (Small skipper)

[change] Other websites

• Forum Lepidoptera
• European Butterflies and Moths
• Lepidopterology.com
• Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
• British Butterflies and Moths
• Photography of European Butterflies and Moths
• Butterflies and Moths in the Netherlands
• Lepidoptera of North America
• Lepidoptera in online insect museum
• Butterflies of Asturias - Spain
• Lepidoptera of French Antilles
• Butterflies of Asian Russia
• Butterflies from Indo_China
• Moths of Jamaica
• Historic Moth illustrations
• Lepidoptera (TSN 117232). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.

[change] References

1. ↑ The Lepidoptera Taxome Project Draft Proposals and Information. Centre for Ecology and Evolution, University College London. Retrieved on 5 March 2007.
2. ↑ Dugdale, JS, 1996. Natural history and identification of litter-feeding Lepidoptera larvae (Insecta) in beech forests, Orongorongo Valley, New Zealand, with especial reference to the diet of mice (Mus musculus). Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 26, Number 2, pp 251-274
3. ↑ Scoble, MJ 1995. The Lepidoptera: form, function and diversity. Oxford, UK: The Oxford University Press; 404 p.