10-03-2017, 02:59 PM
Butterflies are insects in the clade of Rhopalocera macrolepidoptera of the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large wings, often brightly colored, and flashy, fluttering flight. The group comprises the large superfamily Papilionoidea, which contains at least one former group, the patterns (formerly the "Hesperioidea" superfamily) and the more recent analyzes suggest that it also contains moth butterflies (formerly the "Hedyloidea" superfamily). Fossils of butterflies date back to the Paleocene, which was about 56 million years ago. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Adults with wings lay eggs in the food plant where they feed their larvae, known as caterpillars. Caterpillars grow, sometimes very quickly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When the metamorphosis is complete, the skin of the pupa is divided, the adult insect leaves and, after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies.
Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and some in cold places may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate to long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoa, flies and other invertebrates, or are trapped by other organisms. Some species are pests because in their larval stages they can damage crops or domestic trees; Other species are pollination agents of some plants. The larvae of some butterflies (eg, harvesters) eat harmful insects, and some are ant predators, while others live as mutualists in association with ants. Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts.
Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and some in cold places may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate to long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoa, flies and other invertebrates, or are trapped by other organisms. Some species are pests because in their larval stages they can damage crops or domestic trees; Other species are pollination agents of some plants. The larvae of some butterflies (eg, harvesters) eat harmful insects, and some are ant predators, while others live as mutualists in association with ants. Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts.
