L for Lepidoptera: Butterflies and Moths

Fun Facts

Don't be scared, this looks like a long post, but it's

mostly just pretty pictures. (:

1) Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera meaning scale wings.

2) Lepidopterans undergo complete metamorphosis: egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupa (chrysalis or cocoon) to adult

3) Sphingids, a type of moth, are some of the fastest flying insects. Some are capable of flying at over 50 km/h (30 miles per hour). In addition, there is a species of Sphingidae which resembles a hummingbird. It has a long proboscis (straw-like mouth part), demonstrates hovering behaviour, and creates an audible humming noise while feeding on flowers.

4) A quick and dirty way to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly is by looking at the way it holds its wings at rest. A butterfly will fold its wings up vertically (unless it's sunning itself) and a moth will keep its wings out like an airplane. Also, moths tend to have comb-like or feathery antennae while butterflies usually have filamentous antennae ending in a club shape. Also, moths typically form a cocoon where as butterflies form a chrysalis.

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5) The North American monarch butterfly is a migratory species. It is the only insect to migrate up to 2,500 miles south to escape the cold season. In their larval stage the monarch feeds on the milkweed making it poisonous to predators (frogs, birds, mice...) even as adults.

Famous Lepidopterans:

The Death's Head Moth and MOTHRA!

The Death's-head Hawkmoth was the insect featured in the movie The Scilence of the Lambs.

I can't leave you today without talkling about The Devine,  Mothra (モスラ, Mosura) One of, if not the most famous moth/butterflies in the world. Below is the Mothra song from Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S.

The Shobijin (priestesses or fairies), sang this to awaken Mothra's egg. " (source: YouTube) "In Mothra they demonstrate telepathic ability, with people and with Mothra. They explain that while they call to Mothra in prayer and song, they and Mothra are also connected on some deeper level beyond their control, and it is this connection that impels Mothra to find them no matter where they are." (source: Wikipedia) I've been humming this song all day long! I can't stop!!!!

Can anyone guess what I'll be posting tomorrow? (;