Adult Butterfly

Adult Butterfly

The adult, sexually mature, stage of the insect is known as the imago. As Lepidoptera, butterflies have four wings that are covered with tiny scales (see photo), but unlike moths, the fore and hindwings are not hooked together, permitting a more graceful flight. A butterfly has six legs; the larva also has six true legs and a number of prolegs. After it emerges from its pupal stage it cannot fly for some time because its wings have not yet unfolded. A newly emerged butterfly needs to spend some time 'inflating' its wings with blood and letting them dry, during which time it is extremely vulnerable to predators.

Many species of butterfly are sexually dimorphic. Some butterflies, such as the Monarch butterfly, are migratory.

Butterflies are often confused with moths, but there are a few simple differences between them, including colour, habits, and pupating appearance. See the difference between a butterfly and a moth.

Butterflies live primarily on nectar from flowers. Some also derive nourishment from pollen, tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt. Butterflies are also pollinators.

Butterfly adult ( imago ) has three body regions: head, thorax and abdomen. The head bears a pair each of conspicuous compound eyes ( to detect movements, colours and wave lengths in the ultra violet range ) antennae ( to perceive signals especially the chemical signals that help in mate or food location, vibrations and movements and to balance the body during flight), palpi ( to clean the foreleg and to shield the eyes from dirt) and proboscis ( to feed on nectar ).

The antennae are many segmented and thickened at the end. Because of the variation in their shape, size and length, they are often used as clue in identification. The proboscis or sucking tube is composed of two greatly elongated, interlocking halves through which the liquid food is imbibed.

The thorax is made up of 3 segments, each bearing a pair of legs and the first 2 segments bear a pair of wings.

Classification of Butterflies