Butterflies & Moths - We Study The World

About Butterflies & Moths

Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera, a name referring to the tiny scales that cover their wings. Their life cycle includes egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult stages.

Visual learning: These pages use real Wikimedia Commons insect photographs.

**Monarch Butterfly**Butterflies are insects with scaled wings and complete metamorphosis.

**Honey Bee**Honey bees are social insects and important pollinators.

**Dragonfly**Dragonflies are fast aerial predators whose young live in water.

**Lady Beetle**Lady beetles are beetles, and many species prey on aphids.

Wing Scales

Butterfly and moth wings are covered in microscopic scales.

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Caterpillars

Caterpillars are specialized feeding stages.

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Pupa

The pupa is a transformation stage.

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Butterflies

Butterflies are generally day-active and often rest with wings held upright.

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Moths

Moths are more diverse than butterflies and include many nocturnal species.

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Migration

Monarch butterflies are famous for long-distance migration.

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Camouflage

Wing patterns can imitate bark, leaves, eyes, or warning colors.

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Pollination

Many butterflies and moths visit flowers for nectar.

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Wing Scales

Scales create color through pigments and microscopic structures that reflect light.

Caterpillars

They grow rapidly, molt several times, and often eat particular host plants.

Pupa

Inside, tissues are reorganized as the insect develops adult wings, legs, eyes, and reproductive organs.

Butterflies

These are trends rather than perfect rules.

Moths

Some are important pollinators, while others have caterpillars that feed on crops or stored food.

Migration

Different generations complete different portions of the annual journey across North America.

Camouflage

Camouflage and mimicry help insects avoid predators.

Pollination

As they move, pollen can be transferred between flowers.