Butterfly adults are characterised by their four scale -covered wings, which give the Lepidoptera their name (Ancient Greek λεπίς lepís, scale + πτερόν pterón, wing).

Butterfly migration is best exemplified by the Monarch, which is widely known to migrate in the fall to overwintering sites in California and Mexico. But in the United States, several other butterfly species …

5 days ago · A butterfly is any of numerous species of insects belonging to multiple families in the order Lepidoptera and are nearly worldwide in distribution.

Sep 30, 2025 · The English word “butterfly”, on the other hand, simply evolved from the old English word buttorfleoge, which simply means butter and fly. 9 Our ancestors may have given the flying insects …

When a butterfly is not flying, its wings are usually folded over its back. The wings are patterned and are often brightly coloured. There are many different kinds of butterflies. The males and females of each …

A newly emerged adult butterfly must pump hemolymph (insect blood) into its limp, wet wings. Once the wings take shape and harden, it can begin feeding and pursuing a mate.

Apr 25, 2026 · The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), one of the most widespread species, is native to the Americas but is thought to have spread globally by the 19 th century (or earlier). Today, it is …

Butterfly families, species, facts, identification, caterpillars, photographs, moths, and butterfly gardening.

Apr 15, 2026 · What is a Butterflies? A butterfly is a flying insect of the order ‘Lepidoptera’ (an order of insects with broad wings which have minute overlapping scales). In Greek, ‘Lepidoptera’ means …

We aim to fill the needs of scientists and nature observers by bringing verified occurrence and life history data into one location. Get help identifying a butterfly, moth, or caterpillar. It is a trade: you help us …