Butterfly is the common name of all diurnal lepidopterous insects, corresponding to the original Linnaean genusPapilio. The family of the butterflies or diurnalLepidoptera (so called to distinguish them from nocturnal or crepuscular Lepidoptera, such as moths) is a very extensive one, and naturalists differ much as to the manner of subdividing it.
One of the most remarkable and interesting circumstances connected with these beautiful insects is their series of transformations before reaching a perfect state. The female butterfly lays a great quantity of eggs, which produce larvae, commonly called caterpillars. After a short life these assume a new form, and become chrysalids or pupa. These chrysalids are attached to other bodies in various ways, and are of various forms; they often have brilliant golden or argentine spots. Within its covering the insect develops, to emerge as the active and brilliant butterfly. These insects in their perfect form suck the nectar of plants, but take little food, and are all believed to be short-lived, their work in the perfect state being almost confined to the propagation of the species. Butterflies vary greatly in size and colouring, but most of them are very beautiful.
The largest butterflies are found in tropical countries, where some measure nearly 30 cm across the wings. They may generally be distinguished from moths by having their wings erect when sitting, the moths having theirs horizontal. Some of them have great powers of flight. Among the most remarkable butterflies are those that present an extraordinary likeness to other objects such as leaves, green or withered, flowers, bark, etc, a feature that serves greatly to protect them from enemies. Research Butterfly
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Butterfly