SCALE-WINGED INSECTS 
313 
Butterflies 
Photo by Highley 
TAWNY ADMIRAL 
As already mentioned, 
may be distinguished from 
butterflies 
moths by 
^ North American butterjly 
Photo bji L. H, JouteC^ 
CATERPILLAR 
York 
OF TAWNY ADMIRAL 
Remarkable for the sharply contrasted black and pale markings 
being thickened 
their antennae 
at the extremities. There 
are comparatively few species 
in Europe — only about three 
hundred, of which between 
sixty and seventy are met with 
in the British Islands; but in 
tropical countries they are much 
more numerous and varied. 
It is a mistake to suppose 
that butterflies are always 
bright-coloured insects, and 
moths the reverse ; for though 
many butterflies are brightly 
coloured, others are very dingy. 
On the other hand, although 
it is equally true that many 
moths are dull-coloured, others, 
especially among those with 
slender bodies, or thosewhichfly 
by day, are quite as brilliantly 
coloured as any butterflies. 
The expansion and contraction of the 
muscles pump air into the hollow tubes 
which form the framework of the wings; 
these rapidly expand to their full size, and 
become dry and firm at the same time. 
After this, the insect flies about with its 
companions, pairs, lays its eggs, and then 
dies, after enjoying its life for a period, 
varying according to the species and 
the season, from a few hours to several 
months. 
We have not yet spoken of the 
feelers, or antennae, of butterflies and 
moths. They are two long, jointed 
organs, nearly always knobbed at the 
end in butterflies, or at least the 
terminal joints are thicker than the rest. 
But in moths the antennae are of different 
shapes, and generally end in a point. 
Sometimes they are simple and thread- 
like ; sometimes they are thickest in the 
middle, and thinner at both ends, as in 
the Hawk-moths ; and they are often 
comb-like, especially in the males, as in 
the Silk-moths. 
