External morphology of Lepidoptera (original) (raw)

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The external morphology of Lepidoptera is the physiological structure of the bodies of insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera, also known as butterflies and moths. Lepidoptera are distinguished from other orders by the presence of scales on the external parts of the body and appendages, especially the wings. Butterflies and moths vary in size from microlepidoptera only a few millimetres long, to a wingspan of many inches such as the Atlas moth. Comprising over 160,000 described species, the Lepidoptera possess variations of the basic body structure which has evolved to gain advantages in adaptation and distribution. Lepidopterans undergo complete metamorphosis, going through a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa or chrysalis, and imago (plural: imagines) / adult. The larvae – caterpillars – have a toughened (sclerotised) head capsule, chewing mouthparts, and a soft body, that may have hair-like or other projections, three pairs of true legs, and up to five pairs of prolegs. Most caterpillars are herbivores, but a few are carnivores (some eat ants, aphids, or other caterpillars) or detritivores. Larvae are the feeding and growing stages and periodically undergo hormone-induced ecdysis, developing further with each instar, until they undergo the final larval–pupal moult. The larvae of many lepidopteran species will either make a spun casing of silk called a cocoon and pupate inside it, or will pupate in a cell under the ground. In many butterflies, the pupa is suspended from a cremaster and is called a chrysalis. The adult body has a hardened exoskeleton, except for the abdomen which is less sclerotised. The head is shaped like a capsule with appendages arising from it. Adult mouthparts include a prominent proboscis formed from maxillary galeae, and are adapted for sucking nectar. Some species do not feed as adults, and may have reduced mouthparts, while others have them modified for piercing and suck blood or fruit juices. Mandibles are absent in all except the Micropterigidae which have chewing mouthparts. Adult Lepidoptera have two immobile, multi-faceted compound eyes, and only two simple eyes or ocelli, which may be reduced. The three segments of the thorax are fused together. Antennae are prominent and besides the faculty of smell, also aid navigation, orientation, and balance during flight. In moths, males frequently have more feathery antennae than females, for detecting the female pheromones at a distance. There are two pairs of membranous wings which arise from the mesothoracic (middle) and metathoracic (third) segments; they are usually completely covered by minute scales. The two wings on each side act as one by virtue of wing-locking mechanisms. In some groups, the females are flightless and have reduced wings. The abdomen has ten segments connected with movable inter-segmental membranes. The last segments of the abdomen form the external genitalia. The genitalia are complex and provide the basis for family identification and species discrimination. The wings, head parts of thorax, and abdomen of Lepidoptera are covered with minute scales, from which feature the order Lepidoptera derives its names, the word lepidos in Ancient Greek meaning "scale". Most scales are lamellar (blade like) and attached with a pedicel, while other forms may be hair like or specialised as secondary sexual characteristics. The lumen, or surface of the lamella, has a complex structure. It gives colour either due to the pigments contained within it or through its three-dimensional structure. Scales provide a number of functions, which include insulation, thermoregulation, and aiding flight, amongst others, the most important of which is the large diversity of vivid or indistinct patterns they provide which help the organism protect itself by camouflage, mimicry, and to seek mates. (en)
L’anatomie des lépidoptères décrit la morphologie des structures externes et internes chez les lépidoptères et les principales propriétés de ces structures. L'anatomie des imagos (ou papillons) présente de nombreux points communs avec les insectes : corps divisé en trois tagmes, tête, thorax et abdomen. Leur tête possède deux gros yeux composés, une trompe qui tient lieu de bouche et des antennes qui ornent leur partie supérieure. Trois paires de pattes ainsi que deux paires d'ailes longent le thorax. L'abdomen est le corps du papillon à proprement parler, siège des organes vitaux. Les nervures des ailes ainsi que leur couleur sont usuellement utilisées afin de déterminer la taxonomie de l'animal. Cependant, certaines espèces nécessitent l'examen des parties génitales ou de tests chimiques. (fr)

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Pinned specimen of male moth having feathery antennae (en)
Pinned specimen of female moth showing filamentous antennae (en)

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Caligula japonica male sjh.jpg (en)
Caligula_japonica_female_sjh.jpg (en)

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The external morphology of Lepidoptera is the physiological structure of the bodies of insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera, also known as butterflies and moths. Lepidoptera are distinguished from other orders by the presence of scales on the external parts of the body and appendages, especially the wings. Butterflies and moths vary in size from microlepidoptera only a few millimetres long, to a wingspan of many inches such as the Atlas moth. Comprising over 160,000 described species, the Lepidoptera possess variations of the basic body structure which has evolved to gain advantages in adaptation and distribution. (en)
L’anatomie des lépidoptères décrit la morphologie des structures externes et internes chez les lépidoptères et les principales propriétés de ces structures. L'anatomie des imagos (ou papillons) présente de nombreux points communs avec les insectes : corps divisé en trois tagmes, tête, thorax et abdomen. Leur tête possède deux gros yeux composés, une trompe qui tient lieu de bouche et des antennes qui ornent leur partie supérieure. Trois paires de pattes ainsi que deux paires d'ailes longent le thorax. L'abdomen est le corps du papillon à proprement parler, siège des organes vitaux. Les nervures des ailes ainsi que leur couleur sont usuellement utilisées afin de déterminer la taxonomie de l'animal. Cependant, certaines espèces nécessitent l'examen des parties génitales ou de tests chimiques (fr)

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