Butterflies are winged insects from the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea, characterised by large, often brightly coloured wings that often fold together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight.

Dec 29, 2025 · A butterfly is any of numerous species of insects belonging to multiple families in the order Lepidoptera and are nearly worldwide in distribution.

There are about 17,500 species of butterflies in the world, and around 750 species in the United States. Distinctive characteristics. Butterflies (and moths) are the only group of insects that have scales …

Dec 12, 2025 · Butterflies have a bilaterally symmetrical body divided into three broad segments: head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is equipped with a pair of segmented antennae, a pair of compound …

Jul 17, 2025 · Discover 27 different types of butterflies with unique features and behaviors in this guide for butterfly enthusiasts. From the iconic Monarch to the elusive Purple Emperor, learn the unique …

Explore more than 7,000 species profiles to discover the variety of butterflies and moths found in North America.

Butterfly Identification get closer to the wonders of the natural world. There are over 20,000 butterfly species divided into 6 families They are closely related to moths Butterflies are found all over the …

A butterfly’s wings are used for flight, but also have many other functions. Patterns on the wings can help camouflage the butterfly, warn predators that a butterfly is poisonous, surprise or distract …

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.

When a butterfly is not flying, its wings are usually folded over its back. The wings are patterned and are often brightly coloured. There are many different kinds of butterflies. The males and females of each …