Butterflies And Moths (Lepidoptera)

This group gathers Insects subcategory members belonging to the order Lepidoptera, the butterflies and moths, defined by wings covered in tiny overlapping scales that produce their characteristic color and pattern, and by a coiled, straw-like proboscis most adult members use to drink nectar. It spans the day-flying butterflies, among them the monarch, famous for its multi-generational migration across North America, the swallowtails, and the brightly patterned admirals and checkerspots, and the far more numerous moths, mostly nocturnal and often camouflaged at rest, ranging from the enormous silk moths such as the luna and atlas moths to agricultural pests such as the gypsy moth and codling moth. Nearly every member undergoes complete metamorphosis, passing through a caterpillar larval stage and a pupal or chrysalis stage before emerging as a winged adult.