The insect order Lepidoptera includes the butterflies and moths. Here are a few facts about insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera:
- Butterflies and Moths
- Difference between butterflies and moths is based on shape of antennae, and the connection between front and hind wings.
- Wings with scales, also scales on body and legs.
- Large order with many species especially in the tropics.
- Important order, many phytophagous species pests of agricultural crops, fabrics, stored grain or meal.
- Beautiful insects, well known.
- One species Bombyx mori (silkworm) produces natural silk.
- Mouthparts usualy sucking in adult, proboscis long and coiled, labial palps extending forward.
- Compound eyes well developed, usually 2 ocelli, one on each side near compound eye.
- Auditory organs (tympana) usually on 1st abdominal segment or on metathorax.
- Complete metamorphosis.
- Larvae usually phytophagous, some produce odours, some have stinging hairs, most are harmless when handled.
- Larvae (caterpillars) have cylindrical body, well developed head with biting/chewing mouthparts, 3 thoracic segments with thoracic legs, usually 10 abdominal segments with prolegs on segments 3-6 and 10 (some have fewer prolegs), 6 ocelli, very short antennae.
- Often leaf feeding: big caterpillars feed on edge of leaf, smaller ones windowing or holes in leaves or leaf miners. Few are gall makers, some are borers in fruit, stem or wood.
- Silk glands in caterpillars usually well developed, production of cocoons, to make shelters, leaf rolling, escape from predator.
- Pupation sometimes in cocoon, sometimes naked, often in protected environment, sometimes in soil, often attached to branches
- Appendages in pupae are firmly attached to body, well visible in older pupae.
- Winter or dry season often passed as larva, pupa or egg.
Families
The order Lepidoptera is divided into a number of families. Some families containing important agricultural pests are:
- Gelechiidae = Gelechiid moths
- Gracillaridae = Leaf blotch miners
- Lyonetiidae = Lyonetiid moths
- Plutellidae = Diamond-back moths
- Cossidae = Carpenter moths and Leopard moths
- Tortricidae = Tortricid moths
- Pyralidae = Snout moths, grass moths, and others
- Nymphalidae = Brush-footed butterflies
- Lycaenidae = Coppers, blues, and others
- Pieridae = Whites, yellows, and orange-tips
- Papilionidae = Swallowtails and parnasians
- Geometridae = Measuring worms, geometers, and others
- Sphingidae = Sphinxs or hawk moths, hornworms
- Arctiidae = Tiger moths and others
- Noctuidae = Noctuid moths