Order Lepidoptera structural features. Types of butterflies: appearance, varieties, structure of the insect

25.10.2019

Currently, the class of insects is the most numerous in terms of the number of species. In addition, it is the most prosperous group of animals on Earth in terms of the breadth of spatial distribution and ecological differentiation. Insects have a number of common features in the internal structure, but their appearance, development, lifestyle and other parameters vary greatly.

The division of the class of insects into large systematic categories - subclasses, infraclasses, orders - is based on such important features as the structure of wings, mouthparts, and the type of postembryonic development. Additionally, other diagnostic features are used.

Different authors give different taxonomy to the class, but the number of units, regardless of the source, is quite impressive. The most famous of them are the order Dragonflies (Odonata), Cockroaches (Blattodea), Termites (Isoptera), Orthoptera (Orthoptera), Homoptera, Hemiptera (Hemiptera), Coleoptera (Coleoptera), Hymenoptera (Hymenoptera), Diptera (Diptera) and , of course, Lepidoptera.

General characteristics of Lepidoptera

Butterflies are one of the most beautiful insects; the order Lepidoptera includes more than 140 (according to some sources 150) thousand species. However, among other insects, this is a rather "young" group, the greatest development of which coincides with the flowering of flowering plants in the Cretaceous period. The lifespan of adults lasts from several hours, days, to several months. The difference in size among Lepidoptera is greater than in any other order. Their wingspan varies from 30 cm in the South American cutworm to half a centimeter in the Eriocrania. Butterflies are most widespread in tropical latitudes. And in South America, Far East, Australia is home to the largest, brightly colored and seemingly interesting butterflies.

So the record holders for the brightest color are representatives of the South American genus Morho and the Australian sailboat Ulysses. Large (up to 15 - 18 cm), sparkling blue metal morphos, perhaps, are the dream of any collector. And in terms of flights, the monarch butterfly, which lives in North and Central America and annually flies from Canada and the northern regions of the United States to the south, is best studied.

The structure of an adult insect

An adult insect, or otherwise an imago, has the following structure. The body of a butterfly consists of three main sections: head, thorax and abdomen. Head segments fused into total weight, while the segments of the thorax and abdomen are more or less clearly distinguishable. The head consists of an acron and 4 segments, the thorax of 3, while the abdomen in its entirety contains 11 segments and a telson. The head and thorax bear limbs, the abdomen sometimes retains only their rudiments.

Head. The head is inactive, free, rounded. Here are strongly developed convex compound eyes, occupying a significant part of the surface of the head, usually round or oval, surrounded by hairs. In addition to compound compound eyes, sometimes there are two simple ocelli on the vertex behind the antennae. The study of the ability of butterflies to color vision showed that their sensitivity to the visible parts of the spectrum varies depending on their lifestyle. Most perceive rays in the range of 6500 350 A. Butterflies are especially active in reacting to ultraviolet rays. Butterflies are perhaps the only animals that perceive red. However, due to the absence of pure red flowers in the Central European flora, red is not perceived by hawks. The caterpillars of the pine silkworm, cabbage whitefish, and willow fluff clearly distinguish different parts of the spectrum, reacting to violet rays as if White color, red is perceived as darkness.

Fig.1. Head of Repnitsa, or turnip whitefish (lat. Pieris rapae)

1 - Side view with a wrapped proboscis: B - labial palp, C - antennae; G- folded proboscis; 2 - front view with a wrapped proboscis: A - compound eye, B - labial palp; B - mustache; G - folded proboscis; 3 - side view with extended proboscis: B - labial palp; B - mustache; G - deployed proboscis

In various groups of butterflies, antennae, or antennae, are most various forms: filiform, bristle-shaped, club-shaped, fusiform, pinnate. In males, the antennae are usually more developed than in females. Eyes and antennae with olfactory sensilla located on them are the most important sense organs in a butterfly.

The oral apparatus. The oral apparatus of Lepidoptera arose through the specialization of ordinary arthropod limbs. Eating and grinding food. The mouth organs of butterflies are no less characteristic than the structure of the wings and the scales covering them.

In the vast majority of cases, they are represented by a soft proboscis that can coil like a clock spring. The basis of this oral apparatus is made up of strongly elongated inner lobes of the lower jaws, which form the flaps of the proboscis. The upper jaws are absent or represented by small tubercles; The lower lip also underwent a strong reduction, although its palps are well developed and consist of 3 segments. The proboscis of a butterfly is very elastic and mobile, it is perfectly adapted to feeding on liquid food, which in most cases is the nectar of flowers. The length of the proboscis of a particular species usually corresponds to the depth of the nectar in the flowers visited by the butterflies. In some cases, the leaking sap of trees, the liquid excrement of aphids, and other sugary substances can serve as a source of liquid food for Lepidoptera. In some butterflies that do not feed, the proboscis may be underdeveloped or completely absent (fineworms, some moths).

Breast. The thorax consists of three segments called prothorax, middle and hindchest. The thoracic segments bear three pairs of motor limbs, which are attached between the sternite and the lateral plate on each side. The limbs consist of one row of segments, in which we distinguish from the base to the end of the leg: the coxa, or thigh, a wide main segment; swivel; thigh, thickest leg segment; tibia, usually the longest of the segments; tarsus, consisting of a different number of very small segments. The last of which ends with one or two claws. On the chest there are numerous hairs, or bristles, sometimes a tuft is formed in the middle of the back; the abdomen is never connected to the thorax by a stalk; in females it is generally thicker and equipped with a long ovipositor; males often have a crest at the end of the abdomen instead.

Wings. A characteristic feature of insects as a large systematic group is their ability to fly. Flight is carried out with the help of wings; in most cases there are two pairs of them and they are located on 2 (mesothorax) and 3 (mesothorax) thoracic segments. The wings are, in essence, powerful folds of the body wall. Although the fully formed wing has the appearance of a thin whole plate, it is nevertheless two-layered; the upper and lower layers are separated by the thinnest gap, which is a continuation of the body cavity. The wings are laid in the form of bag-like protrusions of the skin, into which the body cavity and trachea continue. The protrusions flatten dorsoventrally; the hemolymph from them flows into the body, the upper and lower sheets of the plate approach each other, the soft tissues partially degenerate, and the wing takes the form of a thin membrane.

Fig.2. Butterfly Greta (lat. Greta)

The beauty of a butterfly lies in its wings, the variety of their colors. Scales provide the color scheme (hence the name of the order Lepidoptera). Scales are amazing inventions of nature that have faithfully served butterflies for millions of years, and now that people have begun to study the properties of these amazing structures, they can serve us as well. The scales on the wings are modified hairs. They have different shape. For example, along the edge of the wing of the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo), there are very narrow scales that almost do not differ from hairs. Closer to the middle of the wing, the scales expand, but remain sharp at the ends. And, finally, very close to the base of the wing are wide scales, similar to a hollow bag attached to the wing with a tiny leg. Scales are located right rows across the wing: their ends are turned outward and cover the bases of the next rows.

Experiments have shown that the scaly cover of butterflies has a number of absolutely amazing properties, for example, good thermal insulation properties, which are most pronounced at the base of the wing. The presence of a scaly cover increases the difference between the temperature of the insect and the ambient temperature by 1.5 - 2 times. In addition, wing scales are involved in the creation of lift. After all, if you hold a butterfly in your hands and some of its bright scales remain on your fingers, then the insect will already fly with great difficulty from place to place.

In addition, experiments have shown that scales dampen sound vibrations and reduce body vibration during flapping flight. In addition, during the flight, a charge of static electricity arises on the wing of an insect, and the scales help this charge "drain" into the external environment. A detailed study of the aerodynamic properties of butterfly scales led to the fact that scientists proposed to create a coating for helicopters, designed in the image and likeness of the scaly cover of butterfly wings. Such a coating will improve the maneuverability of rotorcraft. Moreover, such a cover can be useful for parachutes, sails of yachts and even sportsmen's suits.

The remarkable coloration of butterflies also depends on their scaly clothing. The membranes of the wings themselves are colorless and transparent, and in the scales there are pigment grains, which determine the wonderful color. Pigments selectively reflect light at a certain wavelength and absorb the rest. In nature, in general, all colors are formed basically in this way. However, pigments can only reflect 60-70% of the incoming light, and therefore the colors due to the presence of the pigment are never as bright as they could theoretically be. Therefore, species for which a particularly bright color is vital, “look for” the opportunity to enhance it. Many species of butterflies, in addition to the usual pigment scales, have special scales called optical scales. They allow insects to become owners of truly sparkling clothes.

Thin-layer interference occurs in optical flakes, the optical effect of which can be observed on the surface of soap bubbles. The lower part of the optical scales is pigmented; the pigment does not transmit light and thereby gives a greater brightness to the interference color. Rays of light passing through the transparent scales on the wing are reflected both from their outer and inner surfaces. As a result, the two reflections seem to overlap and reinforce each other. Depending on the thickness of the scales and the refractive index, light is reflected from a certain wavelength (all other rays are absorbed by the pigment). Butterflies “line up” thousands of tiny thin-layer mirror-scales on the outer surface of their wings, and each such tiny mirror reflects light of a certain wavelength. The result is an absolutely stunning reflection effect of extraordinary brightness.

Fig.3. Willow Butterfly (Apatura iris)

The record holders for the brightest color are representatives of the South American genus Morho, however, butterflies with wonderful coloring also live in central Russia. The interference coloration is best seen in the lilies (genus Apatura and Limenitis). From a distance, these butterflies seem almost black, but close up they cast a pronounced metallic sheen - from bright blue to purple.

It has recently become known that a similar interference effect can be created using various microstructures with unique optical properties. Moreover, the microstructures on the wings differ not only in representatives of different families with similar coloration, but also in closely related species. The study of the subtleties of these effects, using modern technology, is now coming to grips with optical physicists from the University of Exter. At the same time, physicists make unexpected discoveries that are interesting not only for them, but also for biologists studying evolutionary processes.

Interesting biological significance bright, variegated colors of the upper side of the wings, so often observed in club butterflies, especially in nymphalids. Their main significance is to recognize individuals of their own species at a great distance. Observations show that males and females of such motley-colored forms are attracted to each other from a distance by color, and near there is a final recognition by the smell emitted by androconia.

If the upper side of the wings of nymphalids is always brightly colored, then a different type of coloration is characteristic of their lower side: they are, as a rule, cryptic, i.e. Protective. In this regard, two types of wing folding are of interest, which are widespread in nymphalids, as well as in other families of diurnal butterflies. In the first case, the butterfly, being in a resting position, pushes the front wings forward so that their lower surface, which has a protective color, is open almost throughout. Wings are folded according to this type, for example, the C-white (Polygonia C-album) has a white wing. Her upper side is brown-yellow with dark spots and an outer border; the underside is grey-brown with a white "C" on the hindwings, from which it takes its name. A motionless butterfly is hardly noticeable also due to the irregular angular contour of its wings.

Fig.4. Butterfly Kallima inachus with folded wings

Other species, such as admiral and burdock, hide the front wings between the hind wings so that only their tips are visible. In this case, two types of coloration are expressed on the lower surface of the wings: that part of the forewings, which is hidden at rest, is brightly colored, the rest of the lower surface of the wings is clearly cryptic in nature.

In some cases, diurnal butterflies have brightly colored upper and lower sides of the wings. Such coloring is usually combined with the inedibility of the organism possessing it, therefore it is called warning. Based on this feature, butterflies have the ability to mimicry. Mimicry refers to the similarities in color, shape, and behavior between two or more insect species. In butterflies, mimicry is expressed in the fact that some of the mimic species are inedible, while others are devoid of protective properties and only “imitate” their protected models. White butterflies (Dismorfphia astynome) and perhybris (Perrhybris pyrrha) are such imitators.

Of all insects, butterflies are the most famous. There is hardly a person in the world who would not admire them in the same way that they admire beautiful flowers. No wonder in ancient rome It was believed that butterflies originated from flowers detached from plants. In all corners of the world, there are amateurs who collect butterflies with as much passion as other collectors collect works of art.

The beauty of a butterfly is in its wings, in their various colors. At the same time, the wings are the most important systematic feature of the detachment: they are covered with scales, the structure and location of which determine the bizarre coloration. That's why butterflies are called Lepidoptera. Scales are modified hairs. This is easy to verify if you carefully consider the scaly cover of the butterfly Apollo(Parnassius Apollo). Along the edge of the wing there are very narrow scales, almost hairs, closer to the middle they are expanded, but their ends are sharp, and, finally, even closer to the base of the wing, there are wide scales in the form of a flattened, hollow inside pouch attached to the wing by means of a thin short stalk ( Fig. 318).

The scales are located on the wing in pranile rows across the wing: the ends of the scales face the lateral edge of the wing, and their bases are covered in a tiled manner by the ends of the previous row. The color of the scale depends on the pigment grains in it; its outer surface is ribbed. In addition to these pigment scales, many species, especially tropical ones, whose wings are distinguished by iridescent metallic coloration, have scales of a different type - optical.

There is no pigment in such flakes, and the characteristic metallic coloration arises due to the decomposition of the white sunbeam into separate colored rays of the spectrum when it passes through optical flakes. This decomposition of the rays is achieved by their refraction in the sculpture of the scales, which causes a change in color when the direction in which the rays fall is changed. Of particular interest are odorous scales, or androconia, found predominantly in males of some species of butterflies. These are modified scales or hairs associated with special glands that secrete an odorous secret. Androconia are located on different parts bodies - on the legs, wings, on the abdomen. The smell they spread serves as a bait for the female, thus ensuring the convergence of the sexes; often it is pleasant, reminiscent in some cases of the aroma of vanilla, mignonette, strawberry, etc., but sometimes it can also be unpleasant, for example, like the smell of mold. It should be emphasized that for each species of butterflies, both the shape and the optical and Chemical properties scales on the wings. In rare cases, the scales on the wings are absent, and then the wings appear completely transparent, as is the case with glass cases.

Usually, all four wings are developed in Lepidoptera; however, in females of some species, wings may be underdeveloped or absent altogether. The forewings are always larger than the hindwings. In many species, both pairs of wings interlock with each other using a special hook, or "bridle", which is a chitinous bristle or tuft of hairs attached at one end to the upper side. leading edge of the hind wing, and with the other end entering the pocket-like appendage on the underside of the forewing. There may be other forms of scoring mechanisms connecting the front and rear fenders.

No less characteristic feature than the structure of the wings and the scales covering them are the mouth organs of butterflies (Fig. 320). In the vast majority of cases, they are represented by a soft proboscis that can coil and unfold like a clock spring. The basis of this oral apparatus is made up of strongly elongated inner lobes of the lower jaws, which form the flaps of the proboscis. The upper jaws are absent or represented by small tubercles; The lower lip also underwent a strong reduction, although its palps are well developed and consist of 3 segments. The proboscis of a butterfly is very elastic and mobile; it is perfectly adapted to feeding on liquid food, which in most cases is the nectar of flowers. The length of the proboscis of one or another species usually corresponds to the depth of the nectar in those flowers that the butterflies visit. So, in Madagascar, one interesting orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale) grows with a corolla depth of 25-30 cm. It is pollinated long-proboscis hawk hawk(Macrosila morgani), which has a proboscis about 35 cm long. In some cases, the flowing sap of trees, liquid excrement of aphids and other sugary substances can serve as a source of liquid food for Lepidoptera. In some butterflies that do not feed, the proboscis may be underdeveloped or completely absent ( fine worms, some moths and etc.).

Flying from flower to flower, butterflies can carry pollen on themselves and thereby contribute to the cross-pollination of plants. A very peculiar relationship developed among the South American yucca moth(Pronuba juccasella), belonging to the Prodoxidae family, and yucca (Jucca filamentosa). Moth caterpillars feed on the ovaries of yucca flowers that develop after fertilization, which is unable to self-pollinate. The transfer of pollen is carried out by the female moth; with the help of tentacles, she collects wet pollen from the stamens of the yucca and flies to another flower. Here she lays an egg inside the pistil and then places a pollen ball on the stigma of this pistil. Thus, the setting of yucca seeds depends entirely on the female moth; at the same time, some of the developing seeds are destroyed by the caterpillars of this pollinator. Yuccas do not bloom every year; it is curious that butterflies may not fly out annually, since their pupae are capable of a long stay in a dormant state, sometimes lasting for several years.

Nectar is collected by various species of Lepidoptera at different times of the day. Some of them fly during the day, others at dusk or even at night.

The daily lifestyle is characteristic primarily for the so-called diurnal or club butterflies. This is the name of a complex (series) of families of Lepidoptera, differing club-shaped antennae (sailboats, whites, nymphalids, heliconids, morphids, pigeons). They have a strong and long proboscis, with which they suck nectar from flowers. The wings are wide, raised up at rest (with rare exceptions), there is no hook on the hind wings.

The amazing colors of the wings of diurnal butterflies are admired; their upper side is usually colored brightly and variegated, while the colors of the lower side often imitate the color and pattern of bark, leaves, etc. The creator of the first scientific taxonomy of animals, the famous Swede Carl Linnaeus, was especially fond of diurnal butterflies. Giving names to the species he described, he looked for them in the myths of classical antiquity. This has become a tradition among lepidopterologists, that is, scientists who study butterflies. Therefore, so often among the names of diurnal butterflies there are names of ancient Greek gods and favorite heroes: Apollo, Cyprida, Io, Hector, Menelaus, Laertes. They seem to symbolize everything bright, strong and beautiful that pleases and delights a person.

The biological significance of the bright, variegated colors of the upper side of the wings, so often observed in club butterflies, especially in nymphalides. Their main significance is to recognize individuals of their own species at a great distance. Observations show that males and females of such motley-colored forms are attracted to each other from a distance by their coloration, and close by, the final recognition takes place by the smell emitted by androconia. To check, they cut off the wings of live mother-of-pearl and glued the wings of whites in their place. Operated specimens were exhibited on the lawn and whites soon flew to them, for the most part males. It was possible to lure male butterflies to artificial images of females of their species.

If the upper side of the wings of nymphalids is always brightly colored, then a different type of coloration is characteristic of their lower side: they are, as a rule, critical, i.e., protective. In this regard, two types of wing folding are of interest, the widespread unymphalids, as well as in other families of diurnal butterflies. In the first case, the butterfly, being in a resting position, pushes the front wings forward so that their lower surface, which has a protective color, is open almost throughout (Fig. 322, 1). Wings are folded according to this type, for example, corner wings C-white(Polygonia C-album). Her upper side is brown-yellow with dark spots and an outer border; the underside is grey-brown with a white "C" on the hindwings, which is how it got its name. A motionless butterfly is hardly noticeable also due to the irregular angular contour of the wings.

Other types such as admiral and burdock, hide the front wings between the hind wings so that only their tips are visible (Fig. 322, 2). In this case, two types of coloration are expressed on the lower surface of the wings: that part of the forewings, which is hidden at rest, is brightly colored, the rest of the lower surface of the wings is clearly cryptic in nature.

In many nymphalids, especially in tropical forms, an imitative resemblance to leaves is observed, when the characteristic color of dry or living leaves, their contours and specific venation are reproduced. A classic example in this respect is the Indo-Malay leafy butterflies of the genus Callima(Kallima). The upper side of the wings of the callima is colored brightly and variegated, and the lower side of its color and pattern resembles a dry leaf. The resemblance to a leaf in a sitting butterfly is enhanced by the fact that its upper wing is pointed at the top, and the lower wing has a small tail imitating the petiole of a leaf (Table 16, 4).

In all these cases, the variegation of coloration depends on the distribution of pigments in the scales covering the wing. Numerous experiments have shown that the deposition of pigments depends to a large extent on the temperature factor affecting the pupae. When raising pupae low temperatures(from 0 to 10°C) you can get adult forms with a strong development of the dark pigment melanin. Yes, at mourners when exposed to low temperatures, its pupa darkens the general background of the wing, blue spots decrease, and melanin in the form of black dots is deposited along the entire yellow strip along the outer edge of the wings. It is quite characteristic that similar changes are caused by keeping the pupae of the mourning house at a high temperature, about 35-37 ° C. This explains the different coloration in the same species in different climatic conditions. In this regard, the constant seasonal variability in changeable motley(Arasch nialevana), which develops in two generations, differing from each other in color. In the spring generation, the wings are rufous-red, with a complex black pattern and white spots at the top of the forewing; the summer generation has brownish-black wings with white or yellowish-white spots on the forewing and the same band on the hindwing.

Among tropical species especially beautiful and unique morphides(Morphidae), represented by only one genus (Morpho). it large butterflies, reaching a wingspan of 15-18 cm. The upper side of their wings is painted in blue or blue, strongly iridescent metallic colors. This coloration depends on the fact that the wing is covered with optic scales, and the lower part of the optic plates is pigmented; the pigment does not transmit light and thereby gives a greater brightness to the interference color of the ribs. In males, for example, in 45 Morpho cypris shown on the color table, the luster of the wing is extremely strong and gives the impression of polished metal. In combination with the large size of morphids, this leads to the fact that in bright sunlight each wing stroke is visible for a third of a kilometer. Morphids are among the most visible insects that inhabit the rainforests of the Amazon. Especially a lot of them on clearings and sunlit roads. They fly at high altitude; some of them do not descend to the ground closer than 6 m at all.

In some cases, diurnal butterflies have brightly colored upper and lower sides of the wings. Such a color is usually combined with the inedibility of the organism possessing it, which is why it was called warning. Warning coloration is characteristic, for example, of heliconids. Heliconides(Heliconidae) is a peculiar family of endemic mace butterflies, which includes about 150 species distributed in South America. Their wings are very variegated, mostly orange with a contrasting pattern of black and yellow stripes and spots (Table 17). Many of the heliconids have a nasty smell and unpleasant taste, and therefore they are not touched by birds. Butterflies abound under the shade of the lush Amazon rainforest. By their behavior and habits, they seem to demonstrate their invulnerability. Their flight is slow, heavy; they always keep in swarms, and not only in the air during flight, but also at rest, when the swarm descends into the crown of a tree. The strong smell emanating from the accumulation of resting butterflies largely protects them from enemies.

The famous English scientist Bethe, studying the behavior of heliconids, discovered a curious phenomenon called mimicry. Mimicry refers to the similarities in color, shape, and behavior between two or more insect species. Characteristically, mimicking species always have a bright warning (demonstration) coloration.

In butterflies, mimicry is expressed in the fact that some of the mimic species are inedible, while others are devoid of protective properties and only “imitate” their protected models. Such imitators, for which heliconids serve as models, are white butterflies - dysmorphia(Dismorphia astynome) and perhybris(Reghybris pyrrha). They stay in flocks of flying and resting heliconids, imitating them in the shape and color of their wings, as well as in flight.

Later it turned out that mimicry is quite widespread among Lepidoptera, and the forms of its manifestation are different. So, in one of the African species sailboats(Papilio dardanus) sexual dimorphism is well expressed: males have tails on the hind wings, the general color of the wings is yellow with dark stripes; in females, the hindwings are rounded, without tails. At the same time, females are represented by several forms that are very different from each other (Fig. 323); each form reproduces a certain type of coloration inherent in certain kind inedible butterflies danaid(Danaidae). The form hippocoon has blue spots on both wings, like its model (Atauris niavius); the sepea form has blue spots only on the forewings, while the bases of the hindwings are yellow, as in another model (Amauris echeria).

Peculiar manifestation of mimicry in butterflies glassware(Aegeriidae), which in their appearance rather resemble Hymenoptera or large flies than Lepidoptera. This imitative similarity is achieved due to the characteristic structure of the wings and the general contours of the body. The wings of the glass-cases are almost devoid of a cover of scales and therefore transparent, vitreous; the hindwings are shorter than the forewings, and the scales on them are concentrated only on the veins. The body is rather slender, with a long belly protruding far behind the wings; antennae filiform or slightly thickened in middle.

Unlike butterflies that fly during the day, species that feed on nectar at dusk or at night have a different type of coloration. The upper side of their forewings is always colored to match the substrate they sit on during the day. At rest, the front wings are folded along the back in a roof-like manner or like a flat triangle, covering the lower wings and abdomen. A motionless butterfly becomes invisible.

The color of the hind wings is most often monophonic, soft. However, in some cases, for example, in scoops, tapeworms, bears and hawks, it can be bright, warning. Yes, at red ribbon(Catocala nupta, pl. 16, 11) hindwings are brick-red with black bands; yellow(C. fulminea, tab. 16, 10) - ocher-yellow with a black median band and the same outer edge, in blue(S. fraxini, pl. 16, 9) - blue with a black border and a median band. At common dipper(Arctia caja, pl. 16, 12) hind wings are red with large dark blue, almost black spots; abdomen with black spots.

In a calm state during the day, butterflies sit on tree trunks with their wings folded and therefore invisible; when threatened with an attack, they spread their front wings and display a deterrent signal in the form of brightly colored lower wings, and sometimes the abdomen.

A distinctive protective coloration silver hole(Phalerabucephala). Its front wings are silvery white with a large yellow spot in the outer corner; hind wings grey. During the day, the butterfly sits on a tree with folded roof-like wings. At this time, it can be mistaken for a piece of a branch. At the same time, yellow spots on the slightly concave ends of the forewings reproduce the appearance of bare wood (Tables 16, 14).

Lepidoptera are insects with complete metamorphosis. Their eggs are very diverse in shape, usually colored, the shell often has a complex structure. Butterfly larvae are called caterpillars (Table 46, 1-16).

In most cases they are worm-shaped; the body consists of a head, 3 thoracic and 10 abdominal rings. Unlike adult Lepidoptera, their caterpillars always have gnawing mouthparts. In addition to three pairs of thoracic legs, the caterpillars also have the so-called "false" or "abdominal" legs, which can be up to 5 pairs; they are usually placed on the third-sixth and ninth abdominal segments. The ventral legs are not dissected, and their soles are covered with chitinous hooks. specific physiological feature caterpillars is the presence of a pair of tubular spinning, or silk-secreting, glands that open with a common channel on the lower lip. They are altered salivary glands in which the main function of salivation has been replaced by silk production. The secretions of these glands quickly harden in the air, forming a silk thread, with the help of which some caterpillars fasten leaves folded into a tube, others hang in the air, descending from a branch, others surround themselves and the branches on which they sit with cobwebs. Finally, in caterpillars, silk thread is used to build a cocoon, inside which pupation takes place.

According to the way of life of caterpillars can be divided into two groups:

1) free-living caterpillars that live more or less openly on plants;

2) caterpillars leading a hidden lifestyle. Free-living caterpillars inhabit both grassy and woody plants feeding on leaves, flowers and fruits.

The transition to a hidden lifestyle is living in portable cases, which the caterpillars weave from silky threads. Moving through the plant, the caterpillars carry their cover on themselves, hiding in it in case of danger. This is what caterpillars do, for example. butterflies. The same intermediate position between these two biological groups occupy sheeters. This is the name of caterpillars that build shelters from leaves, rolling them up and fastening the rolled parts with a silky thread. When building such a shelter, one or more leaves are used. Many caterpillars are characterized by rolling the leaf into a cigar-shaped tube.

Caterpillars living in "societies" usually arrange special, sometimes complex nests, braiding branches, leaves and other parts of plants with cobwebs. Large web nests form caterpillars apple ermine moth(Hyponomeuta malinellus), which are dangerous pests of gardens and forests. Large groups caterpillars live in web nests marching silkworms(family Eupterotidae), which are distinguished by their peculiar behavior: in search of food, they go “hiking” in orderly rows, following each other in single file. So behave, for example, caterpillars oak marching silkworm(Thaumetopoea processionea, pl. 46, 2), occasionally found in the forests of southwestern Ukraine.

A butterfly of this species flies in August and September and lays eggs on oak bark in a bunch of several straight rows, 100-200 pieces in a bunch. The eggs overwinter, protected by a dense transparent film formed from the secretions of the female. Caterpillars hatched from eggs in May stay in groups in a web nest. When the leaves on the tree are already heavily eaten, they descend from it and crawl along the ground in search of food, always in a certain order: one caterpillar crawls in front, another follows, touching it with its hairs. In the middle of the column, the number of caterpillars in a row increases, first by 2, then by 3-4 caterpillars crawl side by side. Towards the end, the column narrows again. In July - early August, pupation occurs right there in the nest, and each caterpillar weaves an oval cocoon for itself. Butterflies fly out after two or three weeks.

All the caterpillars that live inside lead a hidden lifestyle. various bodies plants. These include miners, codling moths, borers and gall formers.

Miners are called caterpillars that live inside leaves and their petioles and lay internal passages inside chlorophyll-bearing tissues - mines. Some miners do not eat out the entire contents of the leaf, but are limited to either individual sections of the parenchyma, or the epidermis.

The shape of the mines is very different. In some cases, a mine is laid in the form of a rounded spot (spotted mine); sometimes such a spot gives lateral processes, resembling a star (star-shaped mines). In other cases, the mine has the form of a gallery, very narrow at the base, but then greatly expanding at the top (tube-shaped mine). There are also narrow long mines, but strongly winding (serpentine mines) or spirally twisted (spiral mines).

When mining caterpillars live in groups inside a leaf, so-called swollen mines can occur. Yes, caterpillars lilac moth(Caloptilia syringella), which belongs to a special moth family(Gracillariidae), at first live several pieces together in one common mine, which has the shape of a wide spot, which can occupy most of the leaf. These mines are strongly swollen from the gases accumulating in them. The epidermis covering the mine quickly turns yellow. Later, the caterpillars emerge from their mines and, skeletonizing the leaves, twist them into tubes. Before pupation, they go into the ground. There are two generations during the summer; the chrysalis hibernates at the lilac moth.

Caterpillars - codling moth live inside the fruits of various plants. Some of them damage the pulp of fruits, others feed exclusively on seeds. Caterpillars - drillers live in the stems of herbaceous plants or inside the branches and trunks of shrubs and trees. Among the drillers are especially characteristic glassware(family Aegeriidae) and woodworms(Cossidae).

Most types of glassware develop in the trunks of woody plants, causing them serious damage. Among the widespread forest pests in Europe, it is necessary to include large poplar glass(Aegeria apiformis).

Females of this species lay their eggs on the lower part of tree trunks, mainly poplars. Caterpillars (Tables 46, 14) develop over the course of two years, feeding on wood in which they make passages. In the third year in spring, they pupate in a cradle under the bark in a special dense cocoon of sawdust and excrement. Before the butterfly emerges, the chrysalis 2/3 protrudes from the flight hole; even after the departure of the butterfly, the pupal skin continues to maintain this position.

Some types of wood borers are also dangerous for forestry, for example odoriferous woodworm(Cossus cossus) and corrosive woodweed(Zeuzera pyrina). The female of the fragrant wood borer lays her eggs in groups of 20-70 pieces in bark cracks on the trunks of willows, poplars, alders, elms and oaks. Development takes place over two years. Young caterpillars bite under the bark, where they make a general course of irregular shape, in which they hibernate. On the next year the caterpillars diverge and each of them, delving into the wood, gnaws out a wide, mostly longitudinal course in it. Caterpillars are 16-legged, with a dark brown head and a pinkish body, the shade of which changes during life; by the end of development they reach a length of 10-12 cm (Table 46, 15). The woodworm is called odorous because the caterpillar emits a sharp, unpleasant smell of wood alcohol; the wood damaged by it spreads the same smell. Although the odoriferous borer most often colonizes old and diseased trees, it can also be dangerous for healthy trees when it forms small but stable perennial foci.

Caterpillars of the corrosive woodworm (tab. 46, 16) are polyphagous: they damage more than 70 tree species, including ash, elm, apple, pear, etc. Females of this species lay eggs one at a time on the tops of young shoots, in the axils of leaves and on leaf buds. After leaving the egg, the caterpillars bite into the young shoots and petioles of the leaves, causing the damaged leaves to dry out and fall off prematurely. By autumn, the caterpillars move to young branches, in the wood of which they gnaw out passages. Here they winter. The next year, after overwintering, the caterpillars resume their harmful activities and, as they grow, descend lower and lower along the tree. They spend the second wintering in the passages laid in the middle and lower parts of the tree. Pupation occurs in May-June, the caterpillar pupates without a cocoon in the upper part of the passage where it hibernated.

There are very few true gall formers among caterpillars. Most of them are known from leaf roller families(Tortricidae). The damage they cause most often consists in ugly swellings of those organs of the plant, inside which the development of caterpillars occurs. Laspeyresia servillana causes blisters in willow stems, and Epiblema lacteana develops in thickened stems of sagebrush.

The life of Lepidoptera is very peculiar, the caterpillars of which develop in the aquatic environment. In the middle of summer, along the banks of reservoirs, the surface of which is covered with leaves of white lilies and yellow water lilies, you can often find a small butterfly with beautiful yellowish wings, the complex pattern of which consists of strongly curved brown lines and irregular whitish spots located between them (Fig. 324). it water lily, or swamp, moth(Hydrocampa nymphaeata). She lays her eggs on the leaves of various aquatic plants, from their lower side. The greenish larvae hatching from the eggs first mine plant tissues. At this time, their spiracles are greatly reduced, so breathing occurs through the surface of the skin. After molting, the caterpillar leaves a mine and builds a special cover from cut pieces of pondweed and water lilies, while breathing remains the same. The caterpillar hibernates in this cap, and in the spring leaves it and builds a new cap. To do this, she gnaws two oval or round pieces from the sheet with her jaws, which she fastens on the sides with a cobweb. Such a case is always filled with air; at this stage, the caterpillar has fully developed stigmas and tracheae, and it now breathes atmospheric air. Crawling over aquatic plants, the caterpillar carries the sheath with it in the same way as caddisflies do. It feeds by scraping the skin and pulp from the leaves of aquatic plants with its jaws. Pupation takes place in the cap.

A gray caterpillar also lives in covers under water. duckweed moth(Cataclysta lemnata), but the building material in this case is duckweed, the individual plates of which are fastened with cobwebs. Before pupation, the caterpillar usually leaves its case and crawls into some kind of reed or reed tube.

The greenish caterpillar is even more adapted to aquatic life. body-cut moth(Ragaropukh stratiotata), found on the leaves of telorez, pondweed, hornwort and other plants. She lives exclusively under water in the wrong cases or without cases at all. It breathes with tracheal gills, which, in the form of long soft branched outgrowths, are located in 5 pairs almost on each segment.

At underwater moth(Acentropus niveus) females are found in two forms - winged and almost wingless, in which only small rudiments of wings are preserved. Wingless females lay their eggs underwater. The olive-green caterpillar, living on the surface of the leaves of pondweed and other plants, makes itself a small tire from a bit that has been bitten off. Pupation occurs in a cocoon attached to the stems or the lower surface of the leaf (Fig. 326).

In close connection with the way of life of caterpillars are the shape and color of their body. Caterpillars that lead an open lifestyle often have a cryptic coloration that harmonizes well with the surrounding background. The effectiveness of protective coloring can be increased due to the features of the pattern. So, in hawk caterpillars, oblique stripes pass along a common green or gray background, which divide the body into segments, making it even less conspicuous. Protective coloration, combined with a characteristic form, often leads to a protective resemblance to the parts of the plants on which the caterpillar lives. At moths, for example, caterpillars are similar to dry knots.

Along with the cryptic coloration, caterpillars that lead an open lifestyle also have a bright demonstration coloration, indicating their inedibility. The effect of this coloration depends not only on the color of the outer integument, but also on the color of the hairline. An example is a caterpillar antique wave(Orgyia antiqua), which has a very bizarre appearance; she is gray or yellowish with black and red spots and with tufts of black hair of various lengths; on the dorsal side, the yellow hairs are collected in four dense brushes (Pl. 46, 9). Some caterpillars at the moment of danger take a threatening posture. These include the caterpillar of a large harpy (Cerura vinula), which has a very peculiar shape: it has a large flat head, a body wide in the front part, strongly tapering towards the posterior end, at the top of which there is a “fork”, consisting of two strongly odorous threads. It is worth disturbing the caterpillar, as it immediately assumes a threatening posture, lifting up the front part of the body and the tip of the abdomen with a “fork” (Table 46, 1).

Caterpillars that lead a hidden lifestyle are of a different type: they do not have bright color combinations. Most often, they are characterized by monotonous pale colors: whitish, light yellowish or pinkish.

The pupa in Lepidoptera has an ovoid, elongated shape, with a pointed posterior end (Fig. 327). Its dense outer covers form a hard shell; all appendages and limbs are soldered to the body, as a result of which the surface of the pupa becomes continuous, the legs and wings cannot be separated from the body without violating the integrity of the integuments. Such a chrysalis is called an open chrysalis. She cannot move, but she retains some mobility of the last segments of the abdomen. The pupae of diurnal butterflies are very bizarre: usually angular, often with a metallic sheen, without a cocoon. They are attached to various subjects, moreover, they either hang head down (hanging chrysalis), or are girded with a thread, and then their head is turned upwards (belted chrysalis).

In many Lepidoptera, caterpillars weave a silky cocoon before pupation, in which the pupa develops. In some species, the amount of silk in the cocoon is so great that it is of great practical interest. Since ancient times, sericulture has been a very important industry.

The main producer of natural silk in the USSR is silkworm(Bombyx mori), referring to family of true silkworms(Bombycidae). Currently, this species does not exist in nature in the wild. Its homeland, apparently, is the Himalayas, from where it was brought to China, where sericulture began to develop in 2500 BC. e. In Europe, this branch of production arises around the 8th century; more than three hundred years ago, it penetrated into Russia.

In appearance, the silkworm is a nondescript butterfly with a thick, strongly hairy body and white wings, reaching 4-6 cm in span (Table 47, 2). Males differ from females in having a thinner abdomen and feathery antennae. Despite the presence of wings, butterflies have lost the ability to fly as a result of domestication.

Although the silkworm normally reproduces by mating males and females, in some cases it exhibits parthenogenesis. In 1886, the Russian zoologist A. A. Tikhomirov proved the possibility of artificially obtaining parthenogenesis in the silkworm as a result of stimulating unfertilized eggs with various mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli. This was the first case of obtaining artificial parthenogenesis. At the present time, artificial parthenogenesis has been obtained in many invertebrates (insects, echinoderms) and P03V.9H0CH animals (amphibians).

The silkworm caterpillar is known as the silkworm. It is large, up to 8 cm long, fleshy, whitish in color, with a horn-like appendage at the end of the abdomen. Crawls relatively slowly. When pupating, the caterpillar secretes one whole thread, up to 1000 m long, which it wraps around itself in the form of a silky cocoon.

Our main sericulture centers are located in Central Asia and the Transcaucasus.

Their position is determined by the distribution of the host plant, which is Mulberry tree(mulberry). The advancement of sericulture further north is hampered by the absence of cold-resistant mulberry varieties.

In production, grena (eggs) of the silkworm is kept at a low temperature, and in the spring it is revived in special apparatus, where a temperature of about 25 ° C is maintained. silkworms they are bred in special rooms - worm-waters, where "stern whatnots" are placed. Mulberry leaves are laid out on them to feed the caterpillars; as needed, the leaves are replaced with fresh ones. The development of the caterpillar takes 40-80 days, during which time four molts pass. By the time of pupation, bundles of rods are placed on the whatnots, onto which the caterpillars crawl. Ready cocoons are collected, brewed with hot steam, and then unwound on special machines. One kilogram of raw cocoons can produce over 90 g of raw silk. As a result of selection, many breeds of silkworms have been created, differing in productivity, quality of silk thread and color of cocoons. The color of the cocoon can be white, pink, greenish and bluish.

Application latest methods radiation selection made it possible to artificially increase the yield of silk. It has been found that caterpillar cocoons from which males develop always contain more silk. B. L. Astaurov showed that at a certain dose of X-ray irradiation of silkworm eggs, it is possible to kill the egg nucleus without violating the viability of the plasma. Such eggs are normally fertilized by sperm, and the caterpillars that develop from them later turn into males. This makes it possible to increase the yield of silk by 30%.

In addition to the silkworm, other types of butterflies are also used in sericulture, for example Chinese oak peacock(Antheraea pernyi), which has been bred in China for over 250 years. The silk obtained from its cocoons is used to make chesuchi. In the Soviet Union, work on the acclimatization of this butterfly has been carried out since 1924. We have favorable conditions for its cultivation in the Polissya regions of the Ukrainian and Byelorussian SSRs, where in the floodplains of the rivers there are natural massifs of undersized oak shoots.

Chinese oak peacock-eye (Table 47, 1) - a large butterfly (wingspan 12-15 cm); females are larger, reddish-fawn in color, males are grayish-fawn with a slight olive tint. A light stripe runs along the outer edge of the wings; on each wing there is a large eye with a transparent window. The oak peacock eye usually has two generations per year. Pupae of the second generation hibernate. After mating, which takes place at night, females lay eggs (gren); the average number of eggs laid is 160-170, in the summer generation it reaches 250. After 15 days, small black caterpillars appear from the eggs, which after the first molt change their color to green with a yellowish or bluish tinge. Caterpillars develop on oak leaves; they can also feed on the leaves of willows, birch, hornbeam and hazel. Within 35-40 days they go through four molts and, reaching a length of 9 cm, begin to curl cocoons. Cocoon curling lasts from three to five days; after that, the caterpillar becomes immobile, and then molts and turns into a pupa, the development of which lasts 25-29 days. The pupae of the first generation are formed in mid-June; wintering pupae of the second generation - in mid-September.

Very large economic importance Lepidoptera as pests of agriculture and forestry. Over 1,000 species of Lepidoptera have been recorded on the territory of the Soviet Union, the caterpillars of which damage field, garden or forest crops. In the vast majority of cases, the pest complex is formed by representatives of the local fauna, moving to cultivated fields from wild plants. In this regard, the history of the settlement of the sunflower is very curious. sunflower moth(Homoeosoma nebulella). This plant is native to North America; it came to Russia only in XVIII century and has long been considered decorative. Only since the 60s of the last century, sunflower has become an industrial oilseed crop in our country. For many years, its crops suffered from sunflower moth, which passed to it from wild plants, mainly from thistles. Butterflies of this pest lay their eggs on the inner walls of the anthers; caterpillars emerging from the eggs bite into the achenes and eat out the embryos in them. Modern armored varieties of sunflower, bred by Soviet breeders, are almost not damaged by moth due to the presence of a special shell layer in the achene peel, which the caterpillar cannot gnaw through.

The facts of importation of harmful Lepidoptera from other countries are known. More recently, in Europe, it has gained wide popularity american white butterfly(Hyphantria cunea), native to North America. On the European continent, it was first discovered in 1940 in Hungary, after a few years it quickly spread to Austria, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia. The butterfly has snow-white wings (span-2.5-3.5 cm), some individuals have small black dots on the abdomen and on the wings. The antennae of the female are filiform, those of the male are feathery, black with a white coating.

Caterpillars are polyphagous, can feed on more than 200 plant species. It is characteristic that in Europe they prefer mulberry, which is hardly touched in America. Caterpillars are velvety brown above with black warts bearing long hairs; lemon-yellow stripes with orange warts on the sides; length 3.5 cm. Pupae hibernate, which are under the bark of trees, in the forks of branches and nodes with fallen LEAVES. The butterfly lays its eggs on the underside of leaves, placing 300 to 800 eggs in a clutch. Caterpillars develop within 35-45 days. Young caterpillars live in nests woven from silk.

In the distribution of these butterflies, winds play an important role, contributing to their flights. New foci of this pest are found along railway lines and highways. The American white butterfly is an important quarantine object of national importance.

Among other insects, Lepidoptera represent a relatively "young" group: fossil butterflies are known only from Tertiary deposits. At the same time, this is the second order of insects in terms of the number of species, which includes about 140,000 species and is inferior in diversity of forms only to the order of beetles. Lepidoptera are distributed throughout the world; there are especially many of them in the tropics, where the most beautiful and largest forms are found, reaching in some cases a wingspan of almost 30 cm, as is the case with one of the largest butterflies in the world - agrippa scoops(Thysania agrippina), common in the forests of Brazil (Fig. 328). See what the "Order Lepidoptera or Butterflies (Lepidoptera)" is in other dictionaries: - a group of families of the order Butterflies, or Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera), the second largest number of species in the class of insects. Most, as the name suggests, lead a twilight or night image life. In addition, nocturnal butterflies are different from daytime and ... ... Collier Encyclopedia

- (Lepidoptera, see Table Butterflies I IV) form a large order of insects, comprising up to 22,000 species, including up to 3,500 species in the Russian Empire (in European and Asian Russia). These are insects with sucking mouth organs, ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary F. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera, from Greek lepis scales and pteron wing), an extensive (more than 140 thousand species) squad of insects with complete transformation. Two pairs of wings, covered with scales. The oral apparatus is sucking, in the form of a proboscis (See Proboscis) (at rest ... ... Big soviet encyclopedia

- (lepidoptera), a detachment of insects. Wings (2 pairs) covered with differently colored scales. In large individuals, the wingspan is up to 30 cm, in small ones about 3 mm. Adults (imagoes) live from several hours to several weeks (wintering several ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

This term has other meanings, see Detachment (meanings). Contents 1 History of the concept 1.1 Botany ... Wikipedia

Contents 1 History of the concept 1.1 Botany 1.2 Zoology 2 Names ... Wikipedia

Whites ... Wikipedia

The most airy creatures on Earth - butterflies - amaze the imagination with their beauty and diversity. Especially they fascinate people with their coloring. Many with their color palette resemble a peacock's tail or a motley fan. This living being is never disgusted. Nothing compares to the graceful and easy flight of a butterfly! Spring, beauty and eternity are associated with it. Butterfly is a symbol of happiness, fidelity, love, immortality. In another way, they are also called Lepidoptera. Biologists distinguish the following close orders of insects: butterflies, homoptera, dipterans, fleas. You will be interested to learn about the features of these wonderful insects.

Butterfly detachment, or Lepidoptera

Lepidoptera are the largest group of insects from the type Feature all representatives of the order of butterflies - a scaly multi-colored cover of the body and wings. These scales are nothing more than modified hairs. They have a different color, can make complex and bizarre patterns. These patterns serve as a disguise to hide the insect or signal inedibility. For most species, the patterns on the wings are of an identifying nature, so that individuals of the same species can recognize each other.

Another identifying feature of the butterfly detachment is the sucking mouth apparatus in the form of a long tubular proboscis. For eating, the butterfly puts forward a long proboscis, immerses it deep into the flower and sucks in the nectar.

The main source of food for the order of butterflies is the nectar of flowers, so they are considered the main pollinators of flowering plants. There is an opinion that with the appearance of flowers on Earth, butterflies arose.

Butterfly breeding

Everyone knows that butterflies are nocturnal and daytime. pass in the process of development First, they lay eggs, from which larvae hatch, completely unlike adults. These are caterpillars. By using salivary glands caterpillars secrete saliva and it is from them that caterpillars weave a cocoon for their chrysalis. The caterpillar will turn into it after passing several links. After some time, an adult butterfly (imago) flies out of the pupa. The most long duration the life of an imago is several months.

Nutrition Features

The annual development cycle of a butterfly is different, depending on the species. Most often, butterflies give one generation per year. There are species that give two or three generations per year.

Individuality of the building

Lepidoptera can range in size from 2 mm to 15 cm. The smallest butterfly is considered to be a baby moth that lives in the Canary Islands. The largest species is the Maak sailboat, which is common in Europe.

Like other insects, butterflies have an abdomen, head, and thorax. is a strong chitinous cover. Butterflies have two pairs of wings with modified scale hairs. It is with the help of these scales that the wings acquire pattern and color. Butterflies can fly long distances. These insects are of two sexes.

Orders of insects: butterflies, homoptera, diptera, fleas

Today, there are about 150,000 scaly species that live on all continents except Antarctica. Tropical areas are rich in brightly colored butterflies. In addition to butterflies, there are several more similar orders of insects: homoptera, diptera, fleas. Let's get acquainted with the main representatives of each squad:

In nature and human life, Lepidoptera are of great importance. After all, butterflies perfectly pollinate plants. Many large butterflies, such as the swallowtail, Apollo, simply fascinate with their beauty. They become exhibits of many entomological collections.

Morphologically Lepidoptera (butterflies) make up a fairly compact group of winged insects. The whole body and 4 wings are densely covered with scales and partly with hairs. Head with large compound eyes, well-developed labial palps and a long spirally twisted sucking proboscis located between them. The wings are usually wide, triangular, rarely narrow or even lanceolate. The front and rear fenders are fastened together with a special hitch. The most common frenate type of wing adhesion. In this case, the clutch is carried out with the help of frenulum (bridle) and retinanulum (hook). The bridle is represented by one or several strong setae at the base of the hind wing, while the hook is either a row of setae or a curved outgrowth at the base of the fore wing. Lepidoptera wing venation is characterized by a significant (reduction of transverse veins and slight branching of the main longitudinal trunks. The scales on the wings are differently colored and often form a rather complex pattern. Structural coloration (spots with a metallic sheen) is often observed. several rows of scales and hairs.In the thoracic region, the mesothorax is most developed.The prothorax on the sides of the tergite bears lobe-like appendages - patagia.In the mesothorax, similar formations are located above the base of the forewings and are called tegulae.The horns are running, often with spurs on the shins.In some Lepidoptera, the forelegs strongly (reduced, hidden in the hairline, and butterflies move on four legs. The abdomen consists of 9 segments. The last segment is sharply modified, especially in males, in which it forms the copulatory apparatus. In females, the last segments of the abdomen (usually from the seventh to the ninth) preo formed into a telescopic soft ovipositor. In most cases, the reproductive system of female butterflies opens outwards with two genital openings. One of them, terminal, serves only for laying eggs, the second, located either at the end of the seventh segment or on the eighth segment, is the copulatory opening.

Ermine moth family (hyponomeutidae) - butterflies, usually with a branched radius of the forewings to form a radial cell. Moths, their caterpillars eat the leaves of an apple or bird cherry tree, respectively, braiding them with cobwebs. Cabbage and other cruciferous plants are severely damaged by the cabbage moth (Plutella maculipennis).

Leaf roller family (Tortricidae)- differs from moth-like ones in wider elongated triangular forewings, often with a transversely truncated apex; hind wings are elongated-oval, without a long fringe.

Nymphalidae family (Nymphalidae) Representatives of this family are distinguished by underdeveloped front legs of butterflies, the pupa hangs head down.

Whitefly family (pieridae)- butterflies usually have white or yellow wings, pupae are attached to the rear end of the body and are girdled with silk thread. These include cabbage (pieris brassicae) and turnip (pieris rapae) pests.

Coconut family (lasiocampidae) butterflies of medium size or large, with a thick, densely hairy body. Antennae are feathery in males, comb-shaped in females. The proboscis is absent. The wings are wide, usually without hooks. These include the ringed whole moth (malacosoma Neustria).

Owl family (Noctuidae)- the proboscis is developed, the front wings are usually with a characteristic scoop pattern, consisting of 5 thin wavy transverse stripes and 3 median spots. These include the winter scoop (agrotis segetum), which severely damages the seedlings of winter crops in autumn.

Bear family (arctiidae) characterized by a developed proboscis, the caterpillars are very hairy, hence the name of the family.

Volnyanka family (lymantriidae) are distinguished by an underdeveloped proboscis, feathery antennae of the male, caterpillars with tufts of hairs, the pupa is usually hairy, in a rare silky cocoon, on plants or among plant debris. This includes gypsy moth(lymantria dispar).

Most people associate butterflies with summer and flowers. There is no such person in the world who has never seen this miracle of nature. And many are interested in the question: “What types of butterflies are there and how many families do these beautiful creatures have?”.

This article will answer all questions.

All about butterflies

Butterfly- This is an insect of the arthropod type, the order of Lepidoptera.

The ancient Slavs believed that the souls of the dead inhabit butterflies, so they treated these insects with special respect.

Appearance and structure

Butterfly consists of two sections:

Body covered with chitinous layer.
Two pairs of wings, which are covered with scales and pierced with veins in the transverse and longitudinal direction. The pattern on the wings depends on the species. The wingspan, depending on the species, can be from 3 mm to 310 mm.

Body structure:

The appearance of a butterfly can serve to protection insect from enemies. Indeed, due to the coloring, some butterflies merge with environment and become invisible.

Types of butterflies with a brief description

Butterflies have more than 200 families, only a small part of the most popular are listed below:

Whites:

Cocoonworm family

Butterflies belonging to this family are large or medium in size. The body is powerful, covered with villi. This family is more like moths than butterflies. The front fenders are different. big size compared to the rear. The antennae are like brushes. They live in groups on woody plants. Some species are very harmful to forestry.

pigeon family

It has more than 5 thousand species, some of which are listed in Red Book. All species of this family are small in size with bright colors. Males are brighter in color than females. The color of the coat depends on the species and can be bright blue or brown. For example, the Icarus pigeon has a bright blue color.

A distinctive feature of all pigeons are the spots located on the lower wings. Dovetails do not harm, and sometimes even benefit by scaring away insect pests.

parsley family

This family contains over 1200 species. Most species can be found in tropical countries, but a small part lives in Russia. Pestryanka have interesting coloring. On a shiny black or dark blue background, there are spots of bright red or bright yellow color. But there are also species with a single color.

The appearance of the insect warns that it poisonously and, when threatened, emits a poisonous liquid with a pungent odor. In size, the butterfly can reach up to 50 mm in length. They are mostly diurnal, but are occasionally seen at night. It feeds on the leaves of legumes.

Volnyanki

These butterflies are very harmful to forestry. It has over 2700 species. The butterfly is of medium size. One of the most known species is gypsy moth. This insect got its name because of the significant differences in the size of the male and female.

For example, males have a wingspan of 45 mm, the female has 7.5 cm. And also males are much darker than females. In males, the wings are painted dark brown with black transverse waves. The female is gray-white with dark waves.

Butterflies have a velvety texture and black color with a span of 50–60 mm. In the corners of the front wings there are white spots, which are separated by a strip of red. The same stripe is located on the edge of the lower wings.

A beautiful European diurnal insect. The wingspan is 150 mm. The whole color is red-brown in color with a bizarre pattern similar to a peacock eye. On the upper wings in the corners there is one spot.

And on the lower each wing there is one black spot, in the middle of which there is another blue spot. Those spots that look like eyes scare away enemies butterflies.

Velvet

The color of this diurnal butterfly is quite modest. It has a brown or red color with a pattern of white and black rings. It feeds on grasses of wild plants and loves shade.

Machaon belongs to the family sailboats and listed in the Red Book. Coloring comes in different colors, but the most beautiful is the swallowtail, which has a yellow color. On the wings is visible wide black line with moon-shaped spots on the edges. The hind wings have an elongated blue tail with yellow-blue spots. There is a red spot in the bottom corner.

There are many more species that you can talk about endlessly and write several volumes of books. This article contains only the smallest part of them.