Lepidoptera Apr 2026

They are holometabolous, meaning they go through a complete life cycle : Egg → Larva (Caterpillar) → Pupa (Chrysalis/Cocoon) → Adult (Imago) . 🦋 Butterflies vs. Moths

Lepidoptera is the massive order of insects that includes . The name comes from the Greek lepidos (scale) and ptera (wing), referring to the microscopic, overlapping scales that cover their bodies and wings like shingles. With roughly 180,000 described species , they make up 10% of all known living organisms, making them the second-largest insect order after beetles. 🧬 Biological Characteristics lepidoptera

Most adults have a coiled, straw-like tube used to sip nectar and other liquids. They are holometabolous, meaning they go through a

These scales provide color (via pigments or structural light refraction ), insulation, and help with thermoregulation . They are holometabolous