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Comparison Of Butterflies And Moths
A common classification of the Lepidoptera involves their differentiation into butterflies and moths. Butterflies are a natural monophyletic group, often given the suborder Rhopalocera, which includes Papilionoidea (true butterflies), Hesperiidae (skippers), and Hedylidae (butterfly moths). In this taxonomic scheme, moths belong to the suborder Heterocera. Other taxonomic schemes have been proposed, the most common putting the butterflies into the suborder Ditrysia and then the "superfamily" Papilionoidea and ignoring a classification for moths. Taxonomy While the butterflies form a monophyletic group, the moths, which comprise the rest of the Lepidoptera, do not. Many attempts have been made to group the superfamilies of the Lepidoptera into natural groups, most of which fail because one of the two groups is not monophyletic: Microlepidoptera and Macrolepidoptera, Heterocera and Rhopalocera, Jugatae and Frenatae, Monotrysia and Ditrysia.Scoble, MJ 1995. The Lepidoptera: form, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic rank, superfamilies, 10 percent of the total described species of living organisms. It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world. The Lepidoptera show many variations of the basic body structure that have evolved to gain advantages in lifestyle and distribution. Recent estimates suggest the order may have more species than earlier thought, and is among the four most wikt:speciose, speciose orders, along with the Hymenoptera, fly, Diptera, and beetle, Coleoptera. Lepidopteran species are characterized by more than three derived features. The most apparent is the presence of scale (anatomy), scales that cover the torso, bodies, wings, and a proboscis. The scales are modified, flattened "hairs", and give ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Danainae
Danainae is a subfamily of the family Nymphalidae, the brush-footed butterflies. It includes the Daniadae, or milkweed butterflies, who lay their eggs on various milkweeds on which their larvae (caterpillars) feed, as well as the clearwing butterflies (Ithomiini), and the tellervini. Some 300 species of Danainae exist worldwide. Most of the Danaini are found in tropical Asia and Africa, while the Ithomiini are diverse in the Neotropics. Tellervini are restricted to Australia and the Oriental region. Four species are found in North America: the monarch butterfly (''Danaus plexippus''), the queen (''Danaus gilippus''), the tropical milkweed butterfly (''Lycorea cleobaea''), and the soldier butterfly (or "tropic queen", ''Danaus eresimus''). Of these, the monarch is by far the most famous, being one of the most recognizable butterflies in the Americas. Taxonomy Milkweed butterflies are now classified as the subfamily Danainae within the family Nymphalidae; however, the previous ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heliconiinae
The Heliconiinae, commonly called heliconians or longwings, are a subfamily of the brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae). They can be divided into 45–50 genera and were sometimes treated as a separate family Heliconiidae within the Papilionoidea. The colouration is predominantly reddish and black, and though of varying wing shape, the forewings are always elongated tipwards, hence the common name. Most longwings are found in the Tropics, particularly in South America; only the Argynnini are quite diverse in the Holarctic. Especially tropical species feed on poisonous plants, characteristically Passifloraceae vines, as larvae, becoming poisonous themselves. The adult butterflies announce their acquired toxicity with strong aposematic colours, warning off would-be predators. There are several famous cases of Batesian and Müllerian mimicry both within this group and with other butterflies. Other commonly seen food plants are Fabaceae (which also contain several toxic spe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adelpha
''Adelpha'' is a genus of brush-footed butterflies found from the southern United States and Mexico to South America. They are commonly known as sisters, due to the white markings on their wings, which resemble a nun's habit. This genus is sometimes included with the admiral butterflies (''Limenitis''). Species Listed alphabetically within species group:Jeffrey Glassberg (2007). ''A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico and Central America''. Sunstreak Books Inc. . pp.97-101. The ''alala'' species group: *'' Adelpha alala'' (Hewitson, 1847) – Alala sister *''Adelpha aricia'' (Hewitson, 1847) *'' Adelpha corcyra'' (Hewitson, 1847) *'' Adelpha donysa'' (Hewitson, 1847) – montane sister *'' Adelpha pithys'' (Bates, 1864) – pithys sister *'' Adelpha tracta'' (Butler, 1872) – tracta sister The ''capucinus'' species group: *'' Adelpha barnesia'' Schaus, 1902 – Barnes' sister *'' Adelpha capucinus'' (Walch, 1775) – capycinus sister *'' Adelpha epizygis'' Fruhstorfer, 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Limenitidinae
The Limenitidinae are a subfamily of butterflies that includes the admirals and relatives. The common names of many species and genera reference military ranks or – namely the Adoliadini – titles of nobility (e.g., count, duke, earl, and marquis), in reference to these butterflies' large size, bold patterns, and dashing flight. In particular, the light stripe running lengthwise across the wings of many Limenitidini has reminded earlier authors of Officer (armed forces), officers' (e.g. admiral, commander, Commodore (rank), commodore) shoulder marks and epaulets. In flight, many of these butterflies have the habit of flapping their wings, so the (usually) bright upperside and the crypsis, cryptic underside alternate for the observer, then gliding for prolonged distances, with the motionless wings held outstretched. The common names of some Limenitidinae – "aeroplanes", "clippers", or "Flying and gliding animals, gliders" – refer to this flight pattern. Systematics Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nymphalinae
The Nymphalinae are a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae). Sometimes, the subfamilies Limenitidinae, and Biblidinae are included here as subordinate tribe(s), while the tribe Melitaeini is occasionally regarded as a distinct subfamily. Systematics The traditionally recognized tribes of Nymphalinae are here listed in the presumed phylogenetic sequence:See references in Savela (2010) * Coeini (six or seven genera) * Nymphalini – anglewings, tortoiseshells and relatives (about 15 genera, two are fossil) * Kallimini (about five genera) * Victorinini (four genera, formerly in Kallimini) * Junoniini (about five genera) * Melitaeini – fritillaries (about 25 genera) Genera ''incertae sedis'' are: * '' Rhinopalpa'' – the wizard * ''Kallimoides'' Shirôzu & Nakanishi, 1984 – African leaf butterfly * ''Vanessula'' Dewitz, 1887 In addition to these, '' Crenidomimas'' is sometimes placed here, but may belong in the Limenitidinae, genus ''Euryphura'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apaturinae
The Apaturinae are a subfamily of butterflies that includes many species commonly called emperors. Description Strikingly-coloured, with cryptic underwing. A distinguishing character of the subfamily is the green proboscis. Agathina emperor (Doxocopa agathina agathina).jpg, ''Doxocopa agathina'' with green proboscis Genera Apaturinae consists of 20 genera and shows separate distributions and uncommon host–plant associations. Most genera of this subfamily are found throughout South-East Asia and Africa, whereas the genera ''Doxocopa'' and ''Asterocampa'' are spread mainly in South America and North America.Ohshima, I., Tanikawa-Dodo, Y., Saigusa, T., Nishiyama, T., Kitani, M., Hasebe, M., & Mohri, H. (2010). Phylogeny, biogeography, and host–plant association in the subfamily Apaturinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) inferred from eight nuclear and seven mitochondrial genes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 57(3), 1026-1036. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.09.018 *''A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Biblidinae
Biblidinae is a subfamily of nymphalid butterflies that includes the tropical brushfoots. This subfamily was sometimes merged within the Limenitidinae, but they are now recognized as quite distinct lineages. In older literature, this subfamily is sometimes called Eurytelinae. As of 2008, some 340 valid species are in this subfamily, placed in 38 genera. Most species of Biblidinae are Neotropical, but there are some Old World species and genera in the tribes Biblidini and Epicaliini. Systematics The Biblidinae are a taxonomically stable monophyletic group, at least since the "wastebin genus" '' Catagramma'' was dismantled around 1950. The tribes, in the presumed phylogenetic sequence and with notable genera also listed here, are: Biblidini Boisduval, 1833 * ''Biblis'' Fabricius, 1807 (= ''Zonaga'') * ''Ariadne'' Horsfield, 1829 (= ''Ergolis'') * '' Laringa'' Moore, 1901 * ''Eurytela'' Boisduval, 1833 * '' Neptidopsis'' Aurivillius, 1898 * ''Mesoxantha'' Aurivillius, 189 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prepona
''Prepona'' is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are strong fliers in tropical forests where they feed on fermenting fruits and animal dung. The underside of the wings is pale greyish or brownish, while the upperside is dark with distinct iridescent blue markings. A few species also have orange markings on the upperside of the wings. They are popular among butterfly collectors. '' Prepona deiphile'' is considered a threatened species in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Description "They are very robust insects, measuring four inches across the wings, which are broad and dentated, with the tip of the fore-wings much produced, but not falcate, the hind-margin being oblique and then nearly straight below; near the inner-margin of the hind-wings of the males stands a yellow tuft of stiff hair ( androconial tuft), as in ''Agrias''. The wings are black, and are generally crossed by a broad blue or greenish-blue band, often interrupted below the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charaxinae
__NOTOC__ The Charaxinae, the leafwings, are a nymphalid subfamily of butterflies that includes about 400 species, inhabiting mainly the tropics, although some species extend into temperate regions in North America, Europe, China, and southern Australia. Significant variations exist between the species. For example, some are medium sized and bright orange above, but mottled gray or brown below. This underwing coloration helps them resemble a dead leaf when they are at rest, as they keep their wings closed. With relatively few exceptions, the hindwings of the members of this subfamily have jagged edges. Adults are very robust and fast flyers, and many are strongly attracted to drink liquids from carrion, dung, and rotten fruits, rather than nectar from flowers. Males establish territories and perch on tree trunks, branches, and even the ground. The eggs are smooth and round and generally with a somewhat concave apex. Some genera in this subfamily (notably ''Charaxes'', ''Agrias' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Satyrinae
The Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the browns, are a subfamily of the Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies). They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known diversity of brush-footed butterflies. The true number of the Satyrinae species is estimated to exceed 2,400. Overview They are generally weak fliers and often shun bright sunlight, preferring moist and semishaded habitats. The caterpillars feed chiefly on monocotyledonous plants such as palms, grasses, and bamboos. The Morphinae are sometimes united with this group. The taxonomy and systematics of the subfamily are under heavy revision. Much of the early pioneering work of L. D. Miller has helped significantly by creating some sort of order. '' Dyndirus'' (Capronnier, 1874) is a satyrid ''incertae sedis''. Other than this genus, according to the latest studies on the classification of Nymphalidae, all satyrines have been assigned to one of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Morphinae
The Morphinae are a subfamily of Nymphalidae butterflies that includes the morphos, the owl butterflies (''Caligo''), and related lineages. It is either considered a sister group of the Satyrinae, or disassembled and included therein. Systematics This group sometimes includes the monotypic (sub)tribe Biina, otherwise placed in the Brassolini. This group is the subject of intense study and the following classification is subject to modification. Listed alphabetically by tribe. funet.fr Tribe Amathusiini (sometimes considered a distinct subfamily Amathusiinae): * 15 genera, see tribe article Tribe |
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