Butterflies and moths are insects
with two pairs of large wings that are covered in soft powder-like scales. They
are all metamorphosizing insects that go through two very different life stages.
Almost everyone is familiar with caterpillars, which bear no resemblance in
size, shape or color to the adults. After forming a cocoon in which
metamorphosis takes place, the adult lepidopteran emerges. Some butterflies have
magnificent coloring in the wings, and some of the most spectacular species are
the tropical bird wing (Asia & New Guinea) and morpho (South America)
species. The largest butterfly is the Queen Alexandra's birdwing, found only
near Popondetta in Papua New Guinea. The wingspan of a butterfly may range from
a few millimeters to nearly 30 cm/ 11.5".
There is also considerable
variation in the biology of adult lepidopterans. Many butterflies feed on nectar
and may live for several months, while some tiny moths are notorious for their
taste (literally) for our clothing. Yet other species emerge without mouthparts,
living just long enough to look for and, perhaps, mate with another adult.
Because of their splendid colors
and ease in mounting, butterflies have been extensively collected and studied in
even very remote portions of the world. There is a considerable market in
high-priced collector specimens, and these are often farmed and harvested
commercially.
At right, a
delicately-colored black and powder blue butterfly photographed at Kiunga,
Papua New Guinea.
