CHAPTER XIII 



THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA) 



Characteristics. Insects with four wings, which are membranous and cov- 

 ered with overlapping scales ; mouth-parts, suctorial ; metamorphosis, complete. 



If the wing of a butterfly or a moth is rubbed, the color is quickly 

 removed as a sort of powder, leaving the transparent membranous 

 wing. If this powder is examined with a microscope, it will be seen 

 to be composed of small, finely ridged scales, which are arranged 



on the wings in overlapping 

 rows and give it the charac- 

 teristic color pattern. Thus 

 we get the name of the order, 

 from lepis (a scale) and//m?;z (a 

 wing). These scales strengthen 

 the wings and are also found 

 on the body and on other ap- 

 pendages. The mouth-parts of 

 the adults consist of a long, 

 tubelike proboscis, which is 

 coiled under the head when 

 not in use, looking, in some of 

 FIG. 257. Portion of wing of monarch the larger moths, much like a 



butterfly, with some scales removed to , T , i 



., . watch spring. It is composed 



show insertion-pits and their regular ar- 

 rangement. (Greatly magnified) of the two maxillae, the inner 



(After Kellogg) faces of which are grooved and 



locked together so as to form 



a tube, through which the nectar of flowers is sucked. The man- 

 dibles are entirely wanting. The two brushlike organs on either 

 side of the proboscis are the labial palpi, the balance of the labium 

 being poorly developed. 



The larvae of butterflies and moths are known as caterpillars. 

 They are quite variable in shape, but our common forms are readily 

 recognizable as belonging to this order. They are usually cylindrical, 



172 



