9 
INTRODUCTION 
ORDEl^ LEPIDOPTERA 
The Order Lopidoptera is divided into two sections: tlie tirst is called the Rhopalocera or elub- 
horned, and is that section with which this book is concerned: the second is called the Ileterocera 
or insects-with-otl»er-shaped-antennae; this is a soinewliat imperfect definition of the moths, for there 
is in Australia one small family of true moths, the CnstnidcWj with broadly-clubbed antennae. 
When at rest the wings of the butterflj^ are usually held erect above the back with the upper 
surfaces pressed closely together: exceptional forms such as Netrocoryne^ Chaetoemme, Exometoeca 
and Euscliemon rest with the wings expanded in one plane. The wings of the resting moth are folded 
fiat on the back, or raised in a tent shape above it, or are pressed closely against the resting surface. 
Before pupating the moth larva usually constructs some kind of silken cocoon as a shelter, and this 
is very rarely done by the butterfly larva. The great majority of the moths fly in the evening after 
siinset, while the great majority of the butterflies {2lelanitis, Lipliyra and Phoenicops fly at dusk) 
are on the wing during daylight only and are groat lovers of sunshine. IMost moths are furnished 
with a frenulum (bristle hairs clasping the hindwing to the forewing) : with the exception of the 
Australian Etischemon ralJlesia and one African sj)ccies, this cliaracter is absent in all the butterflies, 
its place being taken by a chitinous clasp. 
Suborder TtHOPALOCEEA 
In common with most insects, butterflies undergo a series of transformations. Their life is divided 
into four stages: the ovum or egg in which the insect is developed from the embryo: the larva or 
caterpillar in^which it feeds and grows: the pupa or chrysalis in which it matures: and the imago or 
perfect insect which alone is capable of flight and roprodnefion. 
The OYA are of many shapes and colours: they are spherical and flattened at the base, or 
spherical and flattened at the apex, or conical, or dome shaped, or cylindrical, or (in some of the 
Pieridae) like a soda water bottle with a long neck. The surface is rarely smooth, is often longitu¬ 
dinally as well as vertically ribbed, is sometimes minutely or strongly pitted, and occasionally 
roughly granular. 'ITiey are often deposited singly, but sometimes in small groups, and usually upon 
the nnder-snrfacc of a leaf of the foodplant. 
The LARVAE are of many shapes though usually roughly cylindrical: some of them are furnished 
with curious fleshy or hairy appendages the uses of which are not apparent. Our plate of the eariy 
life stages illustrates some of the many forms: LI and L19 represent the smooth larvae of the 
