Lepidoptera

Papilionoidea: Butterflies of North America

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Subclass: Pterygota Infraclass: Neoptera Order: Lepidoptera Super Family: Pailionoidea

Lepidoptera is the order that contains moths and butterflies, insects with four scaled wings that undergo complete metamorphosis (French, 1890). Papilionoidea is the super family that includes familiar swallowtail butterflies such as the monarch. While resting, the wings are kept upright.

Courtship and Mating:  Butterflies use pheromones secreted by the male’s androconia, specialized wing scales, in order to attract the attention of female mating partners. The female’s wing pattern also plays a role in the mating process, attracting the attention of males. In monarchs the pheromone system has evolved special organs that distribute the scent pheromones more effectively. Monarch’s scent organs are called hair pencils. The hair pencil can be brushed against a scent pouch on the hind wing of the butterfly. If the attraction is well received the butterflies engage in an aerial courtship, interlocking their abdomens and taking flight, looking for a secluded spot to mate (McClung, 1966). .

Wings: Upon emergence from the chrysalis, the newly adult butterfly’s wings are too wet and shriveled for flight. The butterfly increases its blood pressure, forcing fluid into the membrane of the wings, and air into hollow wing veins, expanding the wings and allowing them to dry for flight (French, 1890). The colorations and patterns of butterfly wings are cause by scales that either produce colored pigments or reflect light rays to create an iridescent effect. The wings are locked together by hamuli to achieve flight. In most butterflies the hind wings project under the rear edge of the front wing (McClung, 1966). Butterflies flap slowly, bobbing and gliding through the air.

=References=

//Blog Spot.// (2013, November 12). Retrieved from Notes on Natural History: http://silverfishattack.blogspot.com/2009/12/hair-pencils-what.html

Burris, J., & Richards, W. (2006). //The Life Cycles of Butterflies.// North Adams: Storey Publishing.

French, G. H. (1890). //The Butterflies of the Eastern United States.// Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.

McClung, R. M. (1966). //Moths and Butterflies and How They Live.// New York: William Morrow and Company.

Pullin. (1995). //Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies.// London: Chapman & Hall.