Lepidoptera

(Butterflies & Moths)

Lepidoptera is an order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera have been described, representing 10% of the total described species of living organisms, making it the second largest insect order (behind Coleoptera) with 126 families and 46 superfamilies, and one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world.

Lepidopteran species are characterized by more than three derived features. The most apparent is the presence of scales that cover the bodies, large triangular wings, and a proboscis for siphoning nectars. The scales are modified, flattened “hairs”, and give butterflies and moths their wide variety of colors and patterns.

Superfamilies:

Alucitoidea

Include Families:

• Alucitidae (Many-plumed Moths)

Bombycoidea

Includes Families:

• Bombycidae (Silkworm Moths)

• Brahmaeidae (Brahmin Moths)

• Endromidae (Glory Moths)

• Eupterotidae (Monkey Moths)

• Saturniidae (Emperor / Royal Moths)

• Sphingidae (Sphinx / Hawk Moths)

Carposinoidea (Fruitworm Moths)

Cossoidea

Includes Families:

• Cossidae (Carpenter Moths)

Drepanoidea

Include Families:

• Drepanidae (Hook-tip Moths)

Gelechioidea (Curved-horn Moths)

Includes Families:

• Depressariidae (Flat-bodied Moths)

• Elachistidae (Grass Miner Moths)

Geometroidea

Includes Families:

• Geometridae (Geometer Moths)
• Uraniidae (Swallowtail Moths)

Lasiocampoidea

Include Families:

• Alucitidae (Many-plumed Moths)

Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths)

Includes Families:

• Erebidae (Underwing, Tiger, Tussock & Allied Moths)

• Euteliidae (Euteliid Moths)

• Noctuidae (Cutworm Moths and Allies)

• Nolidae (Tufted Moths)

• Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)

Papilionoidea (Butterflies)

Includes Families:

• Hesperiidae
• Lycaenidae
• Nymphalidae
• Papilionidae
• Pieridae
• Riodinidae

Pyraloidea

Includes Families:

• Pyralidae (Pyralid Snout Moths)

• Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)

Thyridoidea (Picture-winged Leaf Moths)

Include Families:

• Thyrididae (Window-winged Moths)

Tortricoidea

Includes Families:

• Tortricidae (Tortricid Leafroller Moths)

Yponomeutoidea

Includes Families:

• Attevidae (Tropical Ermine Moths)

Zygaenoidea

Includes Families:

• Lacturidae (Tropical Burnet Moths)

• Limacodidae (Slug Caterpillar Moths)

More Insects