1. Order Lepidoptera Butterflies & Moths

3. Order Lepidoptera More than 11,000 species in the U.S. and Canada Adults of many species are very attractive, some very drab Wings, bodies and legs are covered with fine dust-like scales

4. Wings and Antennae Lepidoptera are capable fliers They possess two pair of wings – both flight wings The antennae vary between moths and butterflies Butterfly antennae are often knobbed at the tip Moth antenna are often feather-like or straight

5. Wings

6. Lepidoptera Antennae

7. Butterfly Collection

8. Butterflies & Moths Many species are important economical pests Many species attack cultivated plants Some species feed on stored grains and meals A few species feed on various fabrics

9. Corn Earworm Damage

10. Moth Damage

11. Silk Natural silk is a product of one species

12. Lepidoptera Mouthparts Most adults have a long, tubular proboscis designed for sucking up nectar from flowers Some adults only have vestigial mouthparts Larvae have chewing mouthparts Definition: Vestigial – small, poorly developed, non-functioning

13. Lepidoptera Mouthparts

14. Life Cycles Lepidoptera undergo a complete metamorphosis Most larvae undergo as many as five molts Yellow Admiral Butterfly Life Cycle

15. Lepidoptera Larvae Larvae typically referred to as caterpillars – occasionally cutworms The appearances can be almost frightening – probably an evolved defense mechanism to discourage predators Lepidoptera often mimic something to discourage predators

16. Lepidoptera Larvae Tomato Horned Worm Larvae Hickory Horned Devil Larvae

17. Lepidoptera Larvae Swallowtail Larvae

18. Lepidoptera Larvae Monarch Larvae

19. Lepidoptera Larvae Snake Mimic

20. Lepidoptera Larvae Mimicking Bird Droppings

21. True Legs Lepidoptera have 3 pair of legs arising from the thorax at the anterior end

22. Prolegs And up to 5 pairs of prolegs along the abdomen

23. True Legs & Prolegs

24. Prolegs

25. Mouthparts Lepidoptera larvae all have chewing mouthparts

26. Feeding Habits The larvae of most species are phytophagous Many species attack cultivated plants Larger larvae feed on the edges of leaves often leaving only the larger veins Smaller larvae tend to eat small holes in the leaves often skeletonizing leaf blades

27. Feeding Habits Some larvae are leaf miners Some larvae attack fruit, flowers, stems and twigs, wood, and other plant parts Some are serious turf pests Some are gall forming A few are predaceous against other insects

28. Feeding Habits Corn Earworms Leaf Miners

29. Silk Lepidoptera larvae possess well-developed silk glands Many larvae use the silk for making cocoons Some larvae use the silk to fold or roll leaves binding them to create hiding and feeding places Some form large silk “tents” covering large areas of plants and in large numbers feed on the plant

30. Silk

31. Pupation Many larvae form elaborate cocoons transforming into a pupa inside Some species make very simple cocoons and some none at all Larvae typically pupate in protected locations

32. Moth Pupae Moth pupae are usually smooth and brownish Some moth larvae pupate underground or in leaf litter Sphinx Moth Larvae

33. Butterfly Pupae Butterflies usually pupate in a “chrysalis” Chrysalids can have various color patterns and may even be sculpted in various forms

34. Butterfly Pupae Larvae attach the chrysalis by the posterior end and hang head-down suspended by the cremaster

35. Butterfly Pupae Or head-up resting on the cremaster and supported by a silk thread

36. Butterfly Pupae Monarch Chrysalids Crow Butterfly Chrysalis

37. Generations Most lepidoptera have one generation per year and usually overwinter as larvae or pupae A few species have 2 or more generations per year And a few require 2 to 3 years to complete a generation Many species overwinter in the egg stage Relatively few species overwinter as adults

38. Webbing Cloths Moth Tineola bisselliella Family Tineidae About 135 species in North America The larvae cause considerable damage to various animal product fabrics, including: woolens, silk, mohair, fur, hair, feathers, felt, etc.

39. Webbing Cloths Moth The adults are straw colored The larvae are white with brown heads Females lay between 100 and 300 eggs on fabrics, etc. The eggs hatch out within 5 days

40. Webbing Cloths Moth Tineola bisselliella

41. Case-Making Clothes Moth Tineola pelloinella Forms cases of silk and fragments of materials it has been feeding on The larvae lives feeds and pupates with the confines of the case

42. Case-Making Clothes Moth Tineola pellionella

43. Sod Webworms Adult Moth Larvae

44. Lawn Moths Cutworms

45. Prolegs

46. Tomato Horn Worms