Butterflies & Moths (Order Lepidoptera)
The order Lepidoptera includes an estimated 100,000 species, and is probably the best known of all the insect orders. These articles explore the characteristics and behaviors of the Lepidoptera group. You will also find profiles of butterflies, moths, and skippers.
Characteristics: Order Lepidoptera
This article describes the characteristics of the order Lepidoptera, the butterflies and moths.
This article describes the characteristics of the order Lepidoptera, the butterflies and moths.
The Six Butterfly Families
Identifying butterflies begins with learning the six butterfly families. The first five families – swallowtails, brush-foots, whites and sulphurs, gossamer-wings, and metalmarks – are called the true butterflies. The last group, the skippers, are sometimes considered separate from the butterflies.
Identifying butterflies begins with learning the six butterfly families. The first five families – swallowtails, brush-foots, whites and sulphurs, gossamer-wings, and metalmarks – are called the true butterflies. The last group, the skippers, are sometimes considered separate from the butterflies.
Stinging Caterpillars
Stinging caterpillars use poison-filled bristles to defend themselves from predators. If you touch a stinging caterpillar, you'll know it by the burning, itching, or just plain painful sensation that follows. These pictures will help you learn to recognize stinging caterpillars - before you touch them.
Stinging caterpillars use poison-filled bristles to defend themselves from predators. If you touch a stinging caterpillar, you'll know it by the burning, itching, or just plain painful sensation that follows. These pictures will help you learn to recognize stinging caterpillars - before you touch them.
Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)
Bagworm is not a worm, but a moth whose larvae disguise themselves in bags made from bits of foliage. A native pest of North America, bagworm infests popular landscape evergreens like arborvitae and junipers.
Bagworm is not a worm, but a moth whose larvae disguise themselves in bags made from bits of foliage. A native pest of North America, bagworm infests popular landscape evergreens like arborvitae and junipers.
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
The Black Swallowtail, one of North America’s most common butterflies, frequently visits backyard gardens. This article is a profile of the Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes.
The Black Swallowtail, one of North America’s most common butterflies, frequently visits backyard gardens. This article is a profile of the Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum)
Eastern tent caterpillars are best recognized by their characteristic silken tents in the crotches of cherry and apple trees. These moth larvae may be confused with another spring caterpillar, the gypsy moth, or by another tent builder, the fall webworm. Get to know the eastern tent caterpillars characteristics and habits.
Eastern tent caterpillars are best recognized by their characteristic silken tents in the crotches of cherry and apple trees. These moth larvae may be confused with another spring caterpillar, the gypsy moth, or by another tent builder, the fall webworm. Get to know the eastern tent caterpillars characteristics and habits.
Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea)
Fall webworm, a moth native to North America, produces unsightly silk tents on hardwood trees. The fall webworm larvae live communally in their tents, where they feed and grow.
Fall webworm, a moth native to North America, produces unsightly silk tents on hardwood trees. The fall webworm larvae live communally in their tents, where they feed and grow.
Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)
The World Conservation Union ranks the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, on its list of "100 of the World's Most Invasive Alien Species." Accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the late 1860's, the gypsy moth now consumes a million acres of forest each year, on average.
The World Conservation Union ranks the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, on its list of "100 of the World's Most Invasive Alien Species." Accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the late 1860's, the gypsy moth now consumes a million acres of forest each year, on average.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
The Monarch butterfly, familiar to nearly everyone in North America, depends on milkweed plants for caterpillars to eat. The orange and black butterflies are best known for their seasonal migrations to and from Mexico.
The Monarch butterfly, familiar to nearly everyone in North America, depends on milkweed plants for caterpillars to eat. The orange and black butterflies are best known for their seasonal migrations to and from Mexico.
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
The Painted Lady inhabits backyards and meadows throughout most of the world, and is the most widespread butterfly species. Schoolchildren often recognize this butterfly, as raising these butterflies is a popular science activity in elementary classrooms.
The Painted Lady inhabits backyards and meadows throughout most of the world, and is the most widespread butterfly species. Schoolchildren often recognize this butterfly, as raising these butterflies is a popular science activity in elementary classrooms.
Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
The silver-spotted skipper is a common resident of fields, meadows, parks, and gardens. With it's brown wings and quick flight from flower to flower, it's often overlooked for slower, brighter butterflies.
The silver-spotted skipper is a common resident of fields, meadows, parks, and gardens. With it's brown wings and quick flight from flower to flower, it's often overlooked for slower, brighter butterflies.
12 Perennials That Butterflies Love
Want to bring butterflies to your backyard? Butterflies need good sources of nectar, and these twelve perennials are butterfly favorites. If you plant it, they will come.
Want to bring butterflies to your backyard? Butterflies need good sources of nectar, and these twelve perennials are butterfly favorites. If you plant it, they will come.
Butterflies and Moths of North America
A complete resource for anyone interested in the order Lepidoptera as it occurs in North America. The site includes images, species accounts, and maps with reported occurrences of moths and butterflies.
A complete resource for anyone interested in the order Lepidoptera as it occurs in North America. The site includes images, species accounts, and maps with reported occurrences of moths and butterflies.