The main feature of butterflies or lepidoptera. Butterfly order: reproduction, nutrition, structure and main subspecies

Artemis peacock eye (Actias artemis), Far East

Squad Lepidoptera, or butterflies (Lepidoptera) belongs to three largest detachments class of insects (Insecta). According to modern estimates (as of 1997), it numbers at least 250,000 known to science species. Considering that back in 1974 this number was estimated at more than 150,000 species, we can expect that by 2017 at least 350,000 species of butterflies will be known to science. Representatives of at least 84 families are found in Russia alone. Lepidoptera - insects with complete transformation: development passes through the stages of an egg, an erucoid (worm-shaped) caterpillar larva, which has several instars and molts between them, a sedentary, usually covered pupa and an adult insect, or imago. The caterpillar stage, which has a developed gnawing mouthpart, is primarily responsible for the function of accumulating organic substances. The caterpillar usually has a well-developed head, a 13-segmented body with 3 pairs of thoracic legs and, most often, 5 pairs of abdominal pseudopods. The stage of the imago, or adult butterfly, which usually has a sucking mouthpart (proboscis), is primarily characterized by the functions of dispersal and reproduction. The order is characterized by the development of two pairs of wings in the imago, covered with scales - modified bristles. The scales, due to the pigments they contain or their optical structure, create an exceptional variety of colors and patterns on the wings.

The division of Lepidoptera into suborders has not yet been established, but most often they are divided into two suborders: Toothed (Zeugloptera) and Proboscis (Glossata, or Haustellata). The first includes a small number of species of small moths, which belong to the family of Primary toothed moths (Micropterigidae), which in adulthood are characterized by a gnawing mouthpart with large upper jaws (mandibles). With the help of them, the butterfly grinds plant pollen, that is, food similar in its abundance of carbohydrates to nectar. The second group includes all other butterflies that have a developed or, less commonly, underdeveloped proboscis formed by two groove-shaped lower jaws (maxillae). When subdividing the last suborder into large groups, an asymmetry of divisions is also observed: for example, taxonomists usually distinguish a small group of primitive lepidoptera - butterflies belonging to the family of moths (Hepialidae) and close to them, as well as some families of primitive moths. This group of butterflies (Micropterigidae, Hepialidae, Eriocraniidae) is characterized by almost equal-shaped fore and hind wings with an archaic venation system.

Along with the scientific classification, the practically convenient division of butterflies into Microlepidoptera, or lower butterflies (Microlepidoptera) and Macrolepidoptera, or higher butterflies, is also preserved in everyday life. The first include small and usually more primitive butterflies (numerous families of moths, leaf rollers and moths), the second include all other nocturnal, or different-whiskered (Heterocera) and diurnal, or club-whiskered (Rhopalocera). Identification of species from many families of butterflies is difficult and is accessible only to specialists. However, it is often possible only with special preparation of the genitalia (genital organs) of male and female butterflies.

Blueberry butterflies from the memorial collection of L. K. Albrecht A

The butterfly collection fund of the Research Zoological Museum of Moscow State University is an international class collection. This is the second largest (after the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg) collection in Russia. It contains approximately 300 thousand identified, straightened, signed and arranged in a systematic order on pins, and no less - in bags and on cotton wool.

The so-called types (specimens that are international standards of species and subspecies) are especially valuable for world zoological science. There are several hundred such specimens in the butterfly collection.

The geography of the places where the butterflies were collected and deposited in our museum covers all corners of the planet inhabited by them. From the tundra-covered islands of the Arctic latitudes, the deserts of Africa, the highlands of the Pamirs and the Himalayas to distant Australia, the islands of Oceania, the species-rich tropical countries of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Many travelers who visited there donated their butterfly collections to the museum. We are especially proud of the specimens and entire collections preserved in the museum to this day, which played an outstanding role in the history of zoology.

Butterflies from the collection of G. I. Fischer von Waldheim

This, for example, is a number of early 19th century specimens from the collection of the first director of the museum, the famous G.I. Fischer von Waldheim (1771–1853), individual butterflies collected by the tireless entomologist and traveler E.A. Eversmann (1794–1860). A true treasure is the collection of butterflies of the remarkable traveler to Central Asia A.P. Fedchenko (1784–1873), containing types of species described for the first time for science from this region by the famous Russian entomologist N.G. Ershov (1837–1891).

The museum’s huge collection of butterflies was created through the efforts of many generations of entomologists, biologists of various profiles, and a wide range of nature lovers. Among them there are many collectors and donors. This tradition continues. Over the past 20–25 years, the museum’s funds have been significantly replenished. The number of butterfly specimens in them increased by more than a third.

Of great value in the collection are specimens with identification labels from lepidopterists and other butterfly experts, which were received by different time to the museum (K.M. Naumann from Germany on the family Zygaenidae, A.V. Kreutzberg on Papilionidae, V.P. Solyanikov on Psychidae, M.J. Bastelberger on South American Geometridae, a few cutworms (Noctuidae) identified by I. V. Kozhanchikov, and many others). Exotic materials are separately placed in the museum's collections; club-whiskered and multi-whiskered butterflies of Russia and adjacent territories are divided into species according to the order of the system. Let us note that the museum’s collections also include entire collections of microlepidoptera, but they are limited in volume and the main focus is on replenishing the collection with macrolepidoptera. This collection, the second largest in Russia after the academic one, is of considerable value both for the identification and other types of research on Lepidoptera, and for checking at the modern level the correctness of the definition in numerous faunal publications of the past. Information about museum collections of lepidoptera is also in priority demand in multifaceted activities for the protection of insects and environmental monitoring.

Butterfly squad or Lepidoptera insects description representatives development oral apparatus larva characteristics

Latin name Lepidoptera

Multicolored, often brightly colored and conspicuous butterflies usually attract the most attention from both adults and children. They are distinguished by such characteristic features that often you do not need to be knowledgeable in zoology to establish that you are dealing with a butterfly. The first thing that catches your eye is the structure of the wings, which is very characteristic of butterflies. U butterflies two pairs of very large wings (compared to the size of the insect), painted in a wide variety of colors. Their color depends on the color and location of the scales. Scales are hollow chitinous plates of the most varied shapes, in most cases completely covering the wing, overlapping each other in a tiled manner. They form pollen on the wings of butterflies. Scales are modified hairs. The wings of butterflies are characterized by almost longitudinal venation; cross veins are practically absent.

Characteristics of Lepidoptera

The large wings of butterflies make a few beats per second - up to 10 for large butterflies and a little more for smaller butterflies. The butterfly flutters - its flight is irregular, zigzag. This should be considered as useful feature, because thanks to its bright color, a flying butterfly is noticeable from afar. But it is not easy for a bird to grab a butterfly in flight due to its fluttering flight.

Butterflies, with the exception of a very few lower butterflies (moths), have a typical sucking mouthparts. It is represented by a long proboscis, which is spirally twisted at rest. In some forms, the oral organs are reduced.

On the head of butterflies it is easy to distinguish highly developed compound eyes and a pair of antennae, which have a wide variety of characteristics in different groups of butterflies. different shapes. The eyes and antennae with the olfactory organs located on them are the most important sensory organs of the butterfly.

For building thoracic The body is characterized by a fixed connection of the chest segments with each other with a noticeably predominant development of the mesothorax. The thoracic legs are usually not very strong, sometimes thin and weak, but tenacious, with the help of which butterflies are held on flowers, on the bark of trees, etc. On the lower leg of the first pair of legs there are special brushes, with the help of which they clean the antennae.

Butterflies Reproduction of Lepidoptera, caterpillars

No less characteristic is the larva of butterflies - the caterpillar. It can always be distinguished from the larvae of other insects by the presence of pseudopods on the abdominal segments, usually no more than five pairs. Unlike the thoracic legs, pseudopods are non-segmented appendages, often equipped with a rim of hooks. The caterpillar has a well-differentiated head with a gnawing mouthpart and three pairs of jointed legs on the thoracic segments. With the help of all their legs, the caterpillars are firmly held on the leaves and stems of plants and move quickly.

The caterpillars of many butterflies are characterized by the presence of long hairs, evenly covering the entire body or arranged in tufts. These hairs have a protective value and are often associated with skin glands that secrete a poisonous secretion.

The caterpillars of most butterflies lead an open lifestyle, feeding mainly on plant leaves. They have a wide variety of colors, which in some cases have the meaning of concealing or protective, and in others - bright, warning colors.

During larval life, 5 molts usually occur (the fifth molt during pupation).

For internal organization Butterfly caterpillars are characterized by the presence of spinning silk glands. The substances secreted by these glands harden in the air into strong silky threads used different types in various ways. Some caterpillars on released silks descend from tree branches; others attach pupae with them (whitefishes, etc.); still others entangle shoots and leaves with them or build cases from them in which pupation occurs (moths); finally, the caterpillars of real silkworms and some other butterflies curl cocoons, inside which they pupate.

The pupae of the vast majority of butterflies are closed, and their movement is limited by the movement of the abdomen when irritated.

Butterflies usually lay eggs where their larvae feed: on leaves, on the bark of trees, plant branches, etc. They find the plants that their caterpillars feed on using their sense of smell. Butterfly eggs are often quite large, covered with a durable shell - the chorion, which sometimes has a complex structure. They attach to the substrate.

Meaning

The importance of butterflies in nature and human economy is very great. At the same time, it is not so easy to decide whether the order of butterflies should be considered for the most part useful or harmful. Among butterflies there are a lot of pests of agricultural crops, sometimes very dangerous (winter armyworm, meadow moth, oak silkworm and other silkworms and cocoon moths, cabbage whitefly and many others). However, in the adult stage, many butterflies are undoubtedly useful, being important pollinators of a wide variety of plants. In this regard, the role of butterflies in nature is very great, not to mention the fact that they occupy a prominent place in the nutrition of other animals, in particular birds.

Some butterflies have become particularly important industrially, as they provide raw materials for the silk industry. This silkworm(Bombyx mori) and Chinese oak silkworm (AntheTaea pernyi).

The taxonomy of butterflies is quite complex and not well developed. The Lepidoptera order is large, currently numbering over 110,000 species. Below we will focus on the most important representatives order of Lepidoptera, having the greatest negative or positive value.

The order Lepidoptera is usually divided into two suborders: 1. Lower Lepidoptera, or Homoptera, butterflies; 2. Higher Lepidoptera, or heteroptera, butterflies. The first very small suborder of the most primitive butterflies in our fauna is represented by thin-winged butterflies. The second suborder is characterized by differences in the shape and venation of the wings of the front and rear pairs. It includes almost all lepidoptera known in our fauna. The suborder of higher lepidoptera is divided into a large number of families, which are usually combined into two groups: 1. Small heteroptera butterflies; 2. Large different-winged butterflies.

The first group includes inconspicuous, mostly very small butterflies, folding their wings like a roof on their back and often having a fringe of long hairs on the rear edge of the wings of the second pair. Many of the butterflies of this group are very serious pests with which humans have to fight hard. Small heteroptera butterflies include primarily the families of moths, leaf rollers and moths.

The house or furniture moth (Tineola biselliella) belongs to the moth family. A small moth butterfly lays eggs on woolen fabrics, carpets, upholstery, etc. Its larvae feed on fabric wool or fur, where they pupate in cases made from the secretions of the spinning glands. There are other types of moths that spoil household items. It is characteristic of all moths that the butterfly itself does not feed and its mouthparts are greatly reduced.
Other moths harm plants. Many of them cause great harm tree species, for example apple moth (Hyponomeuta malinellus). It overwinters in the stage of the first instar caterpillar, and in the spring the caterpillars, crawling around the tree, eat young buds and leaves, and the grown caterpillars entangle the branches with cobwebs. Other moths living on other fruit trees behave similarly. Poplar trees are often infested with poplar moths. Its larvae gnaw out the leaf parenchyma, leaving the skin intact. This method of damage is called leaf mining. The caterpillars of many herbivorous moths mine leaves. The cabbage moth (Plutella maculipennis) greatly damages cabbage in vegetable gardens.

Representatives of the leaf roller family are just as harmful. Compared to moths, they are larger (up to 20 mm in wingspan), with wider wings. The caterpillars of many leaf rollers roll up leaves. This family includes the codling moth (Laspeyresia pomonella), which causes great damage to apple orchards. The codling moth most often lays eggs on fruits that are setting. “Wormy” apples, infected by its caterpillars, fall from the tree. The caterpillars leave them, climb the tree and bite into healthy fruits, thereby causing big damage apple harvest.

The third family of Lepidoptera, moths, includes a number of dangerous agricultural pests, including the meadow moth (Loxostege sticticalis). The meadow moth can cause especially great harm in the southern regions of Russia, Ukraine and the North Caucasus. Meadow moth caterpillars eat the foliage of a wide variety of plants, especially beets and corn. The meadow moth produces 2-3 generations per year, and in more southern areas, more generations. In years favorable for its reproduction, it appears in huge numbers and causes especially great harm, spreading beyond its permanent habitat.

It is impossible not to mention a small group of butterflies from the family of glassworts, or wasps. These butterflies have transparent wings, almost without scales, similar in shape to the wings of Hymenoptera (wasps, bees). Only by looking closely do we discern a different venation, typical of butterflies, and a characteristic fringe of hairs on the hind wings. The bee-eater (Aegeria apiformis) is commonly called the "bee-eater" because it resembles a hornet. The body of this butterfly in shape and color (dark abdomen with orange stripes) makes the resemblance to a hornet striking.

Glassworm caterpillars cause harm by damaging the wood of various trees (poplar, aspen, etc.), in which they gnaw passages.

The group of large heteropterous butterflies includes species that reach a wingspan of more than 30 mm and do not have a fringe on the hind wings. This group includes the most brightly colored superfamily of diurnal butterflies. They are characterized by the fact that in a calm state, a sitting butterfly folds its wings, lifting them up and placing their upper sides one against the other, and not in a roof-like manner, as all other butterflies do. A similar method of folding wings arose secondarily in butterflies, while folding the wings with a roof was primary, as is observed in caddisflies. Due to the fact that diurnal butterflies fly during the day, the upper surface of both pairs of wings (the most rametal) is usually brightly colored, which is important for recognizing individuals of their species and their sex. The butterfly is most at risk of being eaten by birds when it lands on plants, and therefore the underside of the wings of many diurnal butterflies has a protective coloring. For example, the upper side of the cabbage white wings is white and clearly visible during flight, and the lower side is greenish, making the butterfly sitting on the plant unnoticeable.

Of the most common daytime butterflies in our country, which can be found everywhere, even in big cities, it is necessary first of all to note the various representatives of the white butterfly family. This is the cabbage whiteweed, or cabbage weed (Pieris brassicae), whose caterpillars cause very serious damage to cabbage; cabbage-like pests of garden plants are reptiles (P. rapae) and rutabaga (P. napi). It is remarkable that cabbage caterpillars are quite variegated in color and are clearly visible on cabbage leaves, especially since they live in groups; Reptile caterpillars have an inconspicuous color and are found singly. Observations have shown that cabbage caterpillars are inedible and thus their conspicuous variegated coloration is warning, while the green coloration of the caterpillars of many other butterflies is protective.

If you rub the wings of a male cabbage grass with your fingers and then smell them, you will smell a faint scent of geranium; Male rutabaga emit the smell of lemon, and male reptiles smell of mignonette. These odors depend on special odorous scales on the wings of males - androconium.

The hawthorn (Aporia crataegi) also belongs to the whitethorn family. This is a large butterfly with translucent white wings. Its caterpillars cause severe damage to fruit trees.

In early spring, when the snow has not yet melted, the so-called spring butterflies surprise us with their early appearance. At the same time, attention is drawn to the unprepossessing, often rather shabby appearance of these relatively large butterflies. This is explained by the fact that they overwintered in the imaginal stage, climbing into various secluded places (under leaves, under bark, etc.), and awakened with the first rays of the spring sun. These butterflies have a second generation - the summer generation, developing from eggs laid in the spring. Among the early spring butterflies, the lemongrass (Gonepteryx rhamni), which is curious for its sexual dimorphism: the male is lemon-yellow, the female is greenish-yellow, is also very common.

To the early spring butterflies also include representatives of the large genus Vanessa and other genera of the nymphalidae family. These are the common urticae (Vanessa urticae), mourning butterfly (V. antiopa), peacock eye (V. io), etc. Some species of these butterflies (for example, urticaria, etc.) form varieties in more northern or southern regions that differ in pattern and wing color. Thus, in the north of the European part of Russia and Siberia there is a type of urticaria known as polaris. It is distinguished by a greater development of black pattern and a browner color.

Numerous experiments carried out by various scientists with urticaria and other related species have shown that by keeping pupae in the cold or at elevated temperatures, butterflies with altered coloring can be obtained. Moreover, the resulting forms are very similar to the natural northern and southern varieties. With stronger exposure of pupae to cold (below 0°C) or heat (41 - 46°C), greatly altered forms are obtained.

The tropical fauna of diurnal butterflies is rich in many large and brightly colored species.

The silkworm superfamily includes several families of butterflies whose caterpillars pupate in silky cocoons, hence their common name, silkworms. The antennae of these butterflies are feathery, especially the males. The different degrees of development of the antennae in males and females gave rise to the name - different antennae. The proboscis is usually underdeveloped; many butterflies do not feed.

True silkworms (family Bombycidae) are a few forms, distributed mainly in the tropics. The only fully domesticated species of butterfly, the silkworm (Bombyx mori), belongs to this family, so called because its caterpillars feed on “ silkworms" - leaves serve mulberry tree, or mulberries.

The silkworm does not exist in nature in the wild. It is not known exactly when, but probably at least 2500-3000 years ago, the silkworm was acclimatized by the Chinese. The silkworm was brought to Europe by the Arabs in the 8th century. Sericulture is currently widespread in many countries. It flourishes mainly in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and is also developing successfully in Ukraine. Currently, there are various breeds of silkworm bred by humans, which are distinguished by a large amount of silk in the cocoon. 1 kg of raw cocoons yields over 90 g of raw silk. Different breeds differ in productivity, quality of silk and color of cocoons (yellow, white, green).

Silkworm butterflies are heavy, with a thick abdomen. Despite having wings, butterflies have lost the ability to fly as a result of domestication. They also don't eat. Males differ from females in having a thinner abdomen and feathery antennae. Coming out of the cocoon, they mate with females, the females lay eggs, or eggs, and soon die. Grena is obtained from butterflies at special grenading stations, where it is under control (to avoid contamination with pebrina), and then sent to silkworm farms. Grena is stored during the winter at low temperatures. In the spring, when the mulberry blossoms, the grena “comes to life” at elevated temperatures (27°C).

Silkworm caterpillars have very developed silk glands that secrete threads of silk over 1000 m in length. Silkworm caterpillars are worm-shaped, fleshy, whitish in color, crawling relatively slowly, with a horn-like appendage at the end of the abdomen. It is remarkable that caterpillars fed in “worm hatches” on open shelves do not crawl off them. This feature of silkworm caterpillars, beneficial for silkworm breeders, developed, like the loss of the ability of butterflies to fly, under the influence of domestication. The development of caterpillars lasts 40-80 days. When the caterpillars reach their final instar, brooms made of twigs are placed on the shelves to curl cocoons on them. The resulting cocoons are soaked in hot steam and subjected to further processing - drying and unwinding.

Another interesting family of butterflies that curl cocoons like true silkworms is the family of peacock-eyes, so named for the presence of large eye-shaped spots on the wings. This family includes the largest butterflies in the world: Attacus atlas, reaching 30 cm in wingspan, and in our fauna - Saturnia pyri, whose wingspan reaches 18 cm, its caterpillar has a length of 10-13 cm. This family includes the Chinese oak silkworm (Antherea pernyi). The silk from the cocoons of the Chinese oak moth is of high quality and has long been used to make durable chesuchi silk fabric. It is used to make parachute silk and for technical purposes. Breeding Chinese oak silkworms is widely practiced in central Russia, and it is also possible in more northern regions. Caterpillars can be fed with oak and birch leaves.

Other moths, also commonly called "silkworms", are important because many species in these families are serious pests of tree species.

The cocoon moth family includes rather large butterflies that, unlike representatives of the previous family, do not have eyes on their wings. Among the particularly harmful cocoon moths, the pine cocoon moth (Dendrolimus pini) should be mentioned. Large caterpillars of this butterfly (up to 10 cm in length) often appear in large quantities. They eat pine needles, which often leads to the death of trees. In Siberia, a closely related species, the Siberian cocoon moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus), causes especially great damage to pine trees. Among other cocoon moths, the ringed silkworm (Malacosoma neustria) greatly damages orchards. It is called ringed because it lays eggs in the form of a ring of several rows of eggs encircling the branches of fruit trees.

The hawk moth family stands apart (some scientists classify it as an independent superfamily). Usually at dusk, near flowers, you can see large butterflies, attracting attention with their unusual fast flight for butterflies and the ability to seem to hang in place, quickly working their wings. Hawkmoths are massive butterflies with a thick abdomen, pointed at the rear end. The antennae are fusiform. The front wings are triangular and long, the hind wings are much smaller. The proboscis is long, in many hawk moths it exceeds the length of the body.

Hawkmoth caterpillars are also large, not covered with hairs, and are often green in color. At the end of the abdomen on the dorsal side there is usually a horny outgrowth. Pupation occurs in the ground, in burrows lined with cobwebs. In the middle zone, the pine hawk moth (Sphinx pinastri) is common, whose caterpillars eat pine needles.

The family of moths is very large group Lepidoptera (12,000 species) are relatively small butterflies, the caterpillars of which are common on the most different plants. They often cause significant damage to fruit trees, for example the winter moth, birch moth, etc., and to pine forests - the pine moth. Moth butterflies have rather large wings, somewhat reminiscent of the wings of daytime butterflies.

Moth caterpillars differ from the caterpillars of other butterflies in having a smaller number of abdominal legs and a smaller method of movement. Usually they have only two pairs of abdominal false legs, located on the posterior segments of the abdomen. These legs are very tenacious and equipped with strong muscles. The caterpillar moves like this: clinging to its thoracic legs, it bends its back and pulls the rear end of its body towards the front, so that its body forms a loop, then the caterpillar clings to its rear (abdominal) legs and, releasing the front ones, brings the front end of the body forward, etc. This the method of moving with a span was the reason for the name - moths or land surveyors. Moth caterpillars, in color and behavior, represent an excellent example of protective devices in insects. In a calm state, the caterpillars cling to the branches of plants with their abdominal legs, then fold back their head end and in this position remain completely motionless for a long time. At the same time, the shape, posture and color of the caterpillars make them very similar to plant knots.

The large superfamily Lepidoptera includes several very important families. This includes the family of moths themselves, or noctuids. This is very big family(over 20,000 species) of small and inconspicuous, dark-colored (gray, brown) butterflies. Their caterpillars are very often very dangerous pests agricultural crops. They sometimes appear in huge quantities. An example is the winter armyworm (Agrotis segetum), whose caterpillars in the first generation (in spring) gnaw the bases of the stems of late spring crops, corn, millet, and sunflower, and in the second generation (in autumn) they destroy winter crops. The cabbage cutworm (Barathra brassicae) is also very harmful, damaging cabbage, turnips and other plants.

No less important are butterflies from the family Volyanok. The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), which belongs to this family, causes great damage to deciduous forests, appearing in huge numbers in favorable years. An even more terrible pest of deciduous trees, and sometimes coniferous forests is the nun silkworm (L. monacha), more common in Western Europe, but in our country it is found in the central and western regions. From this same group of butterflies, the willow moth (Stilpnotia salicis) is very common even in our cities and often appears in large numbers.

Gallery

Currently, the insect class is the most numerous in terms of the number of species. In addition, this is the most prosperous group of animals on Earth in terms of the breadth of spatial distribution and ecological differentiation. Insects have a range of common features in internal structure, however, their appearance, development, lifestyle and other parameters vary greatly.

The division of the class of insects into large systematic categories - subclasses, infraclasses, orders - is based on such important features as the structure of the wings, mouthparts, type postembryonic development. Additionally, other diagnostic signs are used.

Different authors give different taxonomies to the class, but the number of orders, regardless of the source, is quite impressive. The most famous of them are the order of Dragonflies (Odonata), Cockroaches (Blattodea), Termites (Isoptera), Orthoptera (Orthoptera), Homoptera (Homoptera), Hemiptera (Hemiptera), Coleoptera (Coleoptera), Hymenoptera (Hymenoptera), Diptera (Diptera) and , of course, Lepidoptera.

General characteristics of Lepidoptera

Butterflies are one of the most beautiful insects, order Lepidoptera includes more than 140 (according to some sources 150) thousand species. However, among other insects this is a rather “young” group, the greatest development of which coincides with the flowering of flowering plants in Cretaceous period. The lifespan of an imago lasts from several hours, days, to several months. The difference in size in Lepidoptera is greater than in any other order. Their wingspan varies from 30 cm in the South American cutworm to half a centimeter in Eriocrania. Most widespread butterflies were obtained in tropical latitudes. And in South America, Far East, Australia is home to the largest, brightly colored and seemingly interesting butterflies.

Thus, the record holders for the brightest color are representatives of the South American genus Morho and the Australian swallowtail Ulysses. Large (up to 15 - 18 cm), sparkling blue metal morphos are perhaps the dream of any collector. And in terms of migration, the best studied is the monarch butterfly, living in the Northern and Central America and annually flies from Canada and northern regions USA to the south.

The structure of an adult insect

An adult insect, or otherwise an imago, has the following structure. The body of a butterfly consists of three main sections: head, chest and abdomen. The segments of the head are fused into a common mass, while the segments of the thorax and abdomen are more or less clearly distinguishable. The head consists of an acron and 4 segments, a thorax of 3, and the abdomen in its entirety contains 11 segments and a telson. The head and chest bear limbs, the abdomen sometimes retains only their rudiments.

Head. The head is inactive, free, round in shape. Here there are highly developed convex compound eyes, occupying a significant part of the surface of the head, usually round or oval, surrounded by hairs. In addition to the compound eyes, there are sometimes two simple ocelli on the crown behind the antennae. A study of the ability of butterflies to see colors showed that their sensitivity to the visible parts of the spectrum varies depending on their lifestyle. Most perceive rays in the range of 6500-350 A. Butterflies react especially actively to ultraviolet rays. Butterflies are perhaps the only animals that perceive the color red. However, due to the absence of purely red flowers in the Central European flora, red is not perceived by hawk moths. Caterpillars of the pine silkworm, cabbage whiteweed and willow moth clearly distinguish different parts of the spectrum, reacting to violet rays as White color, red is perceived as darkness.

Fig.1. Head of the turnip, or white turnip (lat. Pieris rapae)

1 - Side view with a wrapped proboscis: B - labial palp, C - antenna; G - curled proboscis; 2 — front view with a folded proboscis: A — compound eye, B — labial palp; B - antennae; G - curled proboscis; 3 — side view with the proboscis deployed: B — labial palp; B - antennae; G - expanded proboscis

In different groups of butterflies, the antennae, or antennae, come in a wide variety of shapes: filiform, bristle-shaped, club-shaped, fusiform, feathery. Males usually have more developed antennae than females. The eyes and antennae with the olfactory sensilla located on them are the most important sensory organs of the butterfly.

Oral apparatus. The oral apparatus of Lepidoptera arose through the specialization of ordinary arthropod limbs. Absorption and grinding of food. The mouthparts of butterflies are no less characteristic feature than the structure of the wings and the scales covering them.

In the vast majority of cases, they are represented by a soft proboscis that can curl up like a clock spring. The basis of this oral apparatus is made up of highly elongated internal lobes of the lower jaws, which form the valves of the proboscis. The upper jaws are absent or represented by small tubercles; The lower lip has also undergone a strong reduction, although its palps are well developed and consist of 3 segments. The butterfly's proboscis is very elastic and mobile; it is perfectly adapted to feeding on liquid food, which in most cases is flower nectar. The length of the proboscis of a particular species usually corresponds to the depth of nectar in the flowers that butterflies visit. In some cases, the source of liquid food for lepidopterans can be the flowing sap of trees, liquid excrement of aphids and other sugary substances. In some butterflies that do not feed, the proboscis may be underdeveloped or completely absent (thin moths, some moths).

Breast. The thorax consists of three segments called prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax. The thorax segments bear three pairs of motor limbs, inserted between the sternite and the lateral plate of each side. The limbs consist of one row of segments, in which we distinguish from the base to the end of the leg: the coxa, or thigh, a wide main segment; trochanter; thigh, the thickest segment of the leg; tibia, usually the longest of the segments; a foot consisting of a varying number of very small segments. The last of which ends in one or two claws. There are numerous hairs or bristles on the chest, sometimes a tuft forms in the middle of the back; the abdomen is never connected to the chest by a stalk; in females it is generally thicker and equipped with a long ovipositor; males often have a crest at the end of the abdomen instead.

Wings. A characteristic feature of insects is how large systematic group is their ability to fly. Flight is accomplished with the help of wings; in most cases there are two pairs of them and they are located on the 2nd (mesothorax) and 3rd (methothorax) thoracic segments. The wings are essentially powerful folds of the body wall. Although the fully formed wing has the appearance of a thin solid plate, it is nevertheless two-layered; the upper and lower layers are separated by a thin gap, which is a continuation of the body cavity. The wings are formed in the form of bag-like protrusions of skin, into which the body cavity and trachea continue. The protrusions are flattened dorsoventrally; the hemolymph from them flows into the body, the upper and lower leaves of the plate come closer together, the soft tissues partially degenerate, and the wing takes on the appearance of a thin membrane.

Fig.2. Butterfly Greta (lat. Greta)

The beauty of a butterfly lies in its wings and the variety of their colors. The color scheme is provided by scales (hence the name of the order Lepidoptera). Scales are amazing inventions of nature that have faithfully served butterflies for millions of years, and now that people have begun to study the properties of these amazing structures, they can also serve us. The scales on the wings are modified hairs. They have different shapes. For example, along the edge of the wing of the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) there are very narrow scales, almost indistinguishable from hairs. Closer to the middle of the wing, the scales widen, but remain sharp at the ends. And finally, very close to the base of the wing there are wide scales, similar to a hollow sac, attached to the wing by a tiny leg. The scales are arranged in regular rows across the wing: their ends are turned outward and cover the bases of the next rows.

Experiments have shown that the scaly cover of butterflies has a number of absolutely amazing properties, for example, good thermal insulation properties, which are most pronounced at the base of the wing. The presence of scales increases the difference between the temperature of the insect and the temperature environment 1.5 - 2 times. In addition, wing scales are involved in creating lift. After all, if you hold a butterfly in your hands and some of its bright scales remain on your fingers, then the insect will have great difficulty flitting from place to place.

In addition, as experiments have shown, the scales dampen sound vibrations and reduce body vibration during flapping flight. In addition, during flight, a charge of static electricity appears on the wing of an insect, and the scales help this charge “drain” into external environment. A detailed study of the aerodynamic properties of butterfly scales led scientists to propose creating a coating for helicopters, designed in the image and likeness of the scaly cover of butterfly wings. Such a coating will improve the maneuverability of rotorcraft. Moreover, such a cover can be useful for parachutes, sails of yachts and even sports suits.

The remarkable coloring of butterflies also depends on their scaly clothing. The wing membranes themselves are colorless and transparent, and the scales contain pigment grains, which determine the wonderful coloring. Pigments selectively reflect light of a certain wavelength and absorb the rest. In nature, in general, all colors are formed mainly in this way. However, pigments can only reflect 60-70% of incoming light, and therefore the colors produced by the pigment are never as bright as they could theoretically be. Therefore, species for which particularly bright coloring is vitally important “look” for an opportunity to enhance it. Many species of butterflies, in addition to the usual pigment scales, have special scales called optical scales. They allow insects to become the owners of truly sparkling clothes.

Thin-layer interference occurs in optical flakes, the optical effect of which can be observed on the surface of soap bubbles. The lower part of the optical scales is pigmented; the pigment does not transmit light and thereby gives greater brightness to the interference color. Rays of light, passing through the transparent scales on the wing, are reflected from both their external and internal surfaces. As a result, the two reflections seem to overlap and reinforce each other. Depending on the thickness of the scales and the refractive index, light of a certain wavelength is reflected (all other rays are absorbed by the pigment). Butterflies “build” thousands of tiny thin-layer mirror-scales on the outer surface of their wings, and each such tiny mirror reflects light of a certain wavelength. The result is an absolutely stunning reflection effect of extraordinary brightness.

Fig.3. Willow Butterfly (Apatura iris)

The record holders for the brightest color are representatives of the South American genus Morho, however, butterflies with wonderful colors also live in central Russia. Interference coloring is best seen in moths (genus Apatura and Limenitis). From a distance, these butterflies appear almost black, but up close they have a pronounced metallic sheen - from bright blue to purple.

It has recently become known that a similar interference effect can be created using various microstructures with unique optical properties. Moreover, the microstructures on the wings differ not only among representatives of different families with similar colors, but also among closely related species. Optical physicists from Exter University are now closely studying the intricacies of these effects using modern technology. At the same time, physicists make unexpected discoveries that turn out to be interesting not only for them, but also for biologists studying evolutionary processes.

The biological significance of the bright, variegated colors of the upper side of the wings, so often observed in club-whiskered butterflies, especially in nymphalids, is interesting. Their main significance is to recognize individuals of their own species at a great distance. Observations show that males and females of such variegated forms are attracted to each other from a distance by their color, and at close range final recognition occurs by the smell emitted by androconia.

If the upper side of the wings of nymphalids is always brightly colored, then a different type of coloring is characteristic of their lower side: they are usually cryptic, i.e. Protective. In this regard, two types of wing folding are interesting, widespread in nymphalids, as well as in other families of diurnal butterflies. In the first case, the butterfly, being in a resting position, pushes the front wings forward so that their lower surface, which has a protective coloring, is open almost throughout. The wings fold according to this type, for example, in the C-white wingwing (Polygonia C-album). Its upper side is brownish-yellow with dark spots and an outer border; the underside is gray-brown with a white “C” on the hind wings, which is how it gets its name. A motionless butterfly is also inconspicuous due to the irregular angular contour of its wings.

Fig.4. Kallima inachus butterfly with folded wings

Other species, such as the admiral and thistle, hide their fore wings between their hind wings so that only their tips are visible. In this case, two types of colors are expressed on the lower surface of the wings: that part of the front wings, which is hidden at rest, is brightly colored, the rest of the lower surface of the wings is clearly cryptic in nature.

In some cases, daytime butterflies have brightly colored upper and lower sides of their wings. This coloration is usually combined with the inedibility of the organism possessing it, which is why it is called warning coloring. Based on this feature, butterflies have the ability to mimicry. Mimicry refers to the similarity in color, shape and behavior between two or more species of insects. In butterflies, mimicry is expressed in the fact that some of the mimicking species turn out to be inedible, while others lack protective properties and only “imitate” their protected models. Such imitators are white butterflies (Dismorphia astynome) and perhybris butterflies (Perrhybris pyrrha).

Life cycle of lepidoptera, migratory behavior, role in biocenoses
Structure of mammals, behavioral features, central nervous system
animal kingdom
Features of keeping birds
Features of lizards

Lepidoptera (or butterflies) are a fairly numerous order of insects. It includes about 150 thousand species. Representatives of Lepidoptera are various butterflies, moths and moths. Their main habitats are forests, meadows, as well as fields and gardens.

Butterflies are characterized by two pairs of large wings, usually brightly colored. The wings are covered with small chitinous multi-colored or colorless scales, arranged like tiles. Hence the name of the order - Lepidoptera. Scales are modified hairs; they are also found on the body.

Typically, butterflies that lead a diurnal lifestyle (limongrass, cabbage grass, etc.) have wings folded together above the body in a calm state. In nocturnal Lepidoptera they are arranged in a roof-like manner (for example, in moths).

The bright color of the wings serves butterflies to recognize representatives of their species, and also often has a protective function against predators. Thus, in some lepidopterans, the folded wings look like a leaf, i.e., the insect camouflages itself with its environment.

Life cycle of butterflies (metamorphoses): butterfly development

Other Lepidoptera have spots on their wings that, from a distance, resemble the eyes of birds. Such butterflies have a warning coloration. Usually moths have a protective coloring, and they find each other by smell.

Lepidoptera are insects with complete metamorphosis. The eggs hatch into caterpillar larvae, which subsequently pupate, after which a butterfly emerges from the pupa (the adult is the sexually mature stage). Caterpillars usually live longer than adults. There are species in which the larva lives for several years, while the butterfly itself lives for about a month.

Caterpillars feed mainly on leaves and have a gnawing type mouthparts. Butterflies have a sucking-type oral apparatus, represented by a proboscis coiled into a spiral tube, which is formed from the lower jaws and lower lip. Adult Lepidoptera most often feed on the nectar of flowers and at the same time pollinate plants. Their long proboscis unwinds, and they can use it to penetrate deep into the flower.

Lepidopteran caterpillars, in addition to three pairs of jointed legs, have pseudopods, which are outgrowths of the body with suckers or hooks. With their help, the larva is held on leaves and branches, and also crawls. The real legs are most often used to hold food.

Caterpillars have silk-secreting glands in their mouths that secrete a secretion that, when exposed to air, turns into a thin thread from which the larvae weave cocoons during pupation. In some representatives (for example, the silkworm), the thread has value. People get their silk. Therefore, the silkworm is bred as a pet. Also, silk thread, but coarser, is obtained from the oak silkworm.

There are many lepidopteran pests of forests, agricultural fields and gardens. So, with strong reproduction of the oak budworm and Siberian silkworm Hectares of forests could be destroyed. Cabbage white caterpillars feed on cabbage leaves and other cruciferous plants.

Butterfly structure

Butterflies are arthropods - the most highly developed animals among invertebrates. They got their name from the presence of articulated tubular limbs.

Types of butterflies: appearance, varieties, insect structure

Another characteristic feature is the exoskeleton, formed by plates of a durable polysaccharide - quinine. In arthropods, due to the development of a durable outer shell and articulated limbs, a complex system of muscles appeared, attached from the inside to the integument. All movements of their body parts and internal organs are associated with muscles.

1- abdomen
2- breast
3- head with antennae
4- proboscis
5, 8, 9 - front, middle and hind legs
6, 7 - first and second pair of wings

Body of butterflies consists of three sections: head, chest and abdomen. With a webbed, short and soft neck, the head is attached to the chest, which consists of three segments motionlessly connected to each other. The connection points are not noticeable. Each of the segments bears a pair of jointed legs. Butterflies have three pairs of legs on their chest. The forelegs of male nymphalids and satyr pigeons are underdeveloped; in females they are more developed, but when walking they are also not used and are always pressed to the chest. In swallowtails and fatheads, all legs are normally developed, and the tibiae of their front legs are equipped with lobe-like structures, which are believed to be used for cleaning the eyes and antennae. In butterflies, legs serve mainly for securing in a certain place and only then for movement. Some butterflies have taste buds on their legs: before such a butterfly touches the sweet solution with its limb, it does not open its proboscis and does not start eating.

The head contains mouthparts, antennae and eyes. The oral apparatus of the sucking type is a non-segmented, spirally curled, long tubular proboscis at rest. The lower jaw and lower lip take part in its formation. Butterflies have no upper jaws. While eating, the butterfly straightens its long proboscis, plunging it deep into the flower, and sucks out the nectar. Adult lepidoptera use nectar as the main source of food, and therefore are among the main pollinators of flowering plants. All insects, including butterflies, have a special organ called the Jones organ, designed to analyze shaking and sound vibrations. With the help of this organ, insects not only assess the state of the physical environment, but also communicate with each other.

Internal structure

Butterflies have perfect nervous system and sensory organs, thanks to which they are well oriented in their surroundings and quickly respond to danger signals. The nervous system, like that of all arthropods, consists of a peripharyngeal ring and a ventral nerve cord. In the head, as a result of the fusion of clusters of nerve cells, the brain is formed. This system controls all movements of the butterfly, except for such involuntary functions as blood circulation, digestion, and breathing. Researchers believe that these functions are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.

1- excretory organs
2- middle intestine
3- goiter
4- heart
5- anterior intestine
6- large intestine
7- genitals
8th nerve ganglion
9- brain

Circulatory system, like all arthropods, not closed. Blood directly washes internal organs and tissues while in the body cavity, transmitting to them nutrients and carrying harmful waste products to the excretory organs. It does not participate in the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide, that is, in respiration. Its movement is ensured by the work of the heart - a longitudinal muscular tube located in the dorsal part above the intestines. The heart, pulsating rhythmically, drives blood to the head end of the body. The backflow of blood is prevented by the heart valves. When the heart expands, blood enters it from the back of the body through its side openings, which are equipped with valves that prevent blood from flowing back. In the body cavity, unlike the heart, blood flows from the front end to the back, and then, entering the heart as a result of its pulsation, it is again directed to the head.

Respiratory system is a dense network of branched internal tubes - tracheas, through which air, entering through the external spiracles, is delivered directly to all internal organs and fabrics.

Excretory system- this is a bundle of thin tubes, the so-called Malpighian vessels, located in the body cavity. They are closed at the tops, and open at the bases into the intestines. Metabolic products are filtered out by the entire surface of the Malpighian vessels, and then inside the vessels they turn into crystals. Then they enter the intestinal cavity and, together with undigested food debris, are excreted from the body. Some harmful substances, especially poisons, accumulate and are isolated in the fat body.

Reproductive system females consist of two ovaries in which the formation of eggs occurs. The ovaries, passing into tubular oviducts, merge at their bases into a single unpaired oviduct, through which mature eggs are released. In the female reproductive system there is a spermatheca - a reservoir into which male sperm enter. Mature eggs can be fertilized by these sperm. The reproductive organs of the male are two testes that pass into the vas deferens, which unite into an unpaired ejaculatory duct, which serves to excrete sperm.

The butterfly belongs to the class insects, phylum arthropods, order Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera).

The Russian name “butterfly” comes from the Old Slavonic word “babъka”, which denoted the concept of “old woman” or “grandmother”. In the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, it was believed that these were the souls of the dead, so people treated them with respect.

Butterfly: description and photo. The structure and appearance of butterflies

The structure of the butterfly has two main sections: the body, protected by a hard chitinous shell, and the wings.

A butterfly is an insect whose body consists of:

• Head, inactively connected to the chest. The butterfly's head has a round shape with a slightly flattened occipital part. Round or oval convex eyes of a butterfly in the form of hemispheres, occupying most lateral surface of the head, have a complex facet structure. Butterflies have color vision and perceive moving objects better than stationary ones. In many species, additional simple parietal eyes are located behind the antennae. The structure of the oral apparatus depends on the species and can be of the sucking or gnawing type.

• Breasts with a three-segment structure. The front part is significantly smaller than the middle and back part, where three pairs of legs are located, which have a structure characteristic of insects. On the shins of the butterfly's front legs there are spurs designed to maintain the hygiene of the antennae.
• The abdomen has the shape of an elongated cylinder, consisting of ten ring-shaped segments with spiracles located on them.

Butterfly structure

The antennae of the butterfly are located on the border of the parietal and frontal parts of the head. They help butterflies navigate their surroundings by sensing air vibrations and various odors.

The length and structure of the antennae depend on the species.

Two pairs of butterfly wings, covered with flat scales of different shapes, have a membranous structure and are penetrated by transverse and longitudinal veins. The size of the hind wings can be the same as the front wings or significantly smaller than them. The pattern of butterfly wings varies from species to species and captivates with its beauty.

In macro photography, the scales on the wings of butterflies are very clearly visible - they can have completely different shapes and colors.

Butterfly wings – macro photography

The appearance and color of the butterfly’s wings serve not only for intraspecific sexual recognition, but also act as protective camouflage, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. Therefore, colors can be either monochrome or variegated with a complex pattern.

The size of a butterfly, or better said, the wingspan of a butterfly, can range from 2 mm to 31 cm.

Classification and types of butterflies

The large order of Lepidoptera includes more than 158 thousand representatives. There are several classification systems for butterflies, quite complex and confusing, with constant changes occurring in them. The most successful scheme is considered to be one that divides this detachment into four suborders:

1) Primary toothed moths. These are small butterflies, the wingspan of which ranges from 4 to 15 mm, with a gnawing type mouthparts and antennae that reach a length of up to 75% of the size of the front wings. The family consists of 160 species of butterflies.

Typical representatives are:

• golden smallwing ( Micropteryx calthella);
• marigold smallwing ( Micropteryx calthella).

2) Proboscis butterflies. The wingspan of these insects, covered with dark small scales with cream or black spots, does not exceed 25 mm. Until 1967, they were classified as primary toothed moths, with which this family has much in common.

The most famous butterflies from this suborder:

• flour moth ( Asopia farinalis L.),
• spruce cone moth ( Dioryctrica abieteila).

3) Heterobathmyas, represented by one family Heterobathmiidae.

4) Proboscis butterflies, which make up the largest suborder, consisting of several dozen families, which include more than 150 thousand species of butterflies. The appearance and size of representatives of this suborder are very diverse. Below are several families demonstrating the diversity of proboscis butterflies.

• Family Sailboats, represented by medium and large butterflies with a wingspan from 50 to 280 mm. The pattern on the wings of butterflies consists of black, red or blue spots various shapes, clearly visible on a white or yellow background. The most famous of them are:
  1. Swallowtail butterfly;
  2. Sailboat "Glory of Bhutan";
  3. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing and others.

Swallowtail butterfly

• Family Nymphalidae, characteristic feature which is the absence of thickened veins on wide angular wings with variegated colors and various patterns. The wingspan of butterflies varies from 50 to 130 mm. Representatives of this family are:
  1. Butterfly Admiral;
  2. Day peacock butterfly;
  3. Butterfly hives;
  4. Mourning butterfly, etc.

Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)

Day peacock butterfly

Urticaria butterfly (Aglais urticae)

Mourning butterfly

• , represented by moths with narrow wings, the span of which does not exceed 13 cm and has a characteristic pattern. The abdomen of these insects is thickened and fusiform. The most famous butterflies of this family:
  1. Hawkmoth "death's head";
  2. Hawkmoth oleander;
  3. Poplar hawk moth.

• Scoop Family, which includes more than 35,000 species of moths. The span of the furry wings, gray with a metallic tint, averages 35 mm. However, in South America there is a species of butterfly called tisania agrippina with a wingspan of 31 cm or the atlas peacock eye, the size of which resembles a medium-sized bird.

Where do butterflies live in nature?

The distribution area of ​​butterflies around the planet is very wide. It does not include only the icy expanses of Antarctica. Butterflies live everywhere from North America and Greenland to the coast of Australia and the island of Tasmania. The largest number of species were found in Peru and India. These fluttering insects make their flights not only in flowering valleys, but also high in the mountains.

What do butterflies eat?

The diet of many butterflies consists of pollen and nectar from flowering plants. Many species of butterflies feed on tree sap, overripe and rotting fruit. And the death's head hawk moth is a real gourmet, because it often flies into hives and feasts on the honey they collect.

Some nymphalid butterflies need various microelements and additional moisture. Their sources are excrement, urine and sweat of large animals, wet clay, and human sweat.

.

Such butterflies include the Madagascar comet, whose wingspan is 14-16 cm. The lifespan of this butterfly is 2-3 days.

There are also “vampires” among butterflies. For example, males of some cutworm species maintain their strength thanks to the blood and tear fluid of animals.

This is the vampire butterfly (lat. Calyptra).

The most ethereal creatures on Earth - butterflies - amaze the imagination with their beauty and diversity. They especially fascinate people with their coloring. Many, with their color palette, resemble a peacock’s tail or a motley fan. This Living being never disgusts me. The graceful and light flight of a butterfly cannot be compared with anything! Spring, beauty and eternity are associated with her. A butterfly is a symbol of happiness, fidelity, love, immortality. In another way they are also called lepidoptera. Biologists distinguish the following closely related orders of insects: butterflies, Homoptera, Diptera, fleas. You will be interested to learn about the features of these wonderful insects.

Order of butterflies, or Lepidoptera

Lepidoptera are the largest group of insects from the phylum. A characteristic feature of all representatives of the order of butterflies is a scaly multi-colored cover of the body and wings. These scales are nothing more than modified hairs. They have different colors and can create complex and bizarre patterns. These patterns serve as camouflage, hiding the insect or signaling inedibility. For most species, patterns on the wings are of an identifying nature so that individuals of the same species can recognize each other.

Another identifying feature of the order of butterflies is the sucking mouthparts in the form of a long tubular proboscis. To eat, the butterfly extends its long proboscis, plunges it deep into the flower and sucks up the nectar.

The main source of food for the order of butterflies is the nectar of flowers, so they are considered the main pollinators of flowering plants. There is an opinion that with the advent of flowers on Earth, butterflies appeared.

Butterfly breeding

Everyone knows that butterflies are nocturnal and diurnal. go through the process of development. First, they lay eggs, from which larvae hatch, completely different from adults. These are caterpillars. With the help of the salivary glands, the caterpillars secrete saliva and it is from them that the caterpillars weave a cocoon for the pupa. The caterpillar will turn into it after several molts. After some time, an adult butterfly (imago) flies out of the pupa. The longest life expectancy of an imago is several months.

Nutritional Features

The annual development cycle of a butterfly varies depending on the species. Most often, butterflies produce one generation per year. There are species that produce two or three generations per year.

Individuality of the structure

Lepidoptera can have sizes from 2 mm to 15 cm. The smallest butterfly is considered to be the baby moth, which lives in the Canary Islands. The largest species is the Maak's swallowtail, which is common in Europe.

Like other insects, butterflies have an abdomen, head and thorax. It is a durable chitinous cover. Butterflies have two pairs of wings with modified scale hairs. It is with the help of these scales that the wings acquire their pattern and color. Butterflies can fly long distances. These insects come in two sexes.

Insect orders: butterflies, Homoptera, Diptera, fleas

Today there are about 150,000 species of squamates that live on all continents except Antarctica. Tropical areas are especially rich in brightly colored butterflies. In addition to butterflies, there are several other similar orders of insects: Homoptera, Diptera, fleas. We invite you to get acquainted with the main representatives of each squad:

In nature and human life, Lepidoptera have great importance. After all, butterflies are excellent pollinators of plants. Many large butterflies, such as swallowtail and Apollo, simply fascinate with their beauty. They become exhibits of many entomological collections.