206 BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS 



of organs homologous to those of the grasshopper, but very differ- 

 ently adapted. 



Thorax. The legs of the lepidoptera are small and weak, having 

 the same general structure as in all insects. Obviously the but- 

 terfly neither walks nor jumps. It uses its legs only for clinging to 

 its resting places and spends most of its time in the air. The 

 wings are large and covered with colored scales from which the 

 order gets its name. These scales help the few veins in giving 



FIG. 65. Butterfly. 



Fig. 1. Side view of head. Note the club shaped antennae with sense hairs 

 at tip. . 



The enormous eyes curve out so far that vision is possible in all directions. 



The small organs below the eyes are palpi from the labium, which are also 

 sense organs. 



The partly uncoiled "tongue" is composed of the two maxillae, and has a 

 roughened tip for opening the nectar glands of flowers. It is called the pro- 

 boscis. 



Fig. 2. Front view of head. Same parts shown as mentioned above except 

 that the proboscis has been cut through to show the two maxillae, joined edge 

 to edge with the tube between them for sucking nectar. 



strength to the wing, and in some cases in color protection as well. 

 The thorax and its muscles which move the wings are not very 

 powerful, and the butterfly, though easily supported by its large 

 whig spread, is not a swift flyer. 



Abdomen. The abdomen resembles that of the grasshopper, 

 but has fewer segments, and as in all insects is the least specialized 

 body region. 



Life History. The eggs of most lepidoptera are deposited on 

 or near the plant which will be the food of the young. Some pass 



