Elements area
Taxonomy
Code
Scope note(s)
Lepidoptera, (order Lepidoptera), insect order comprising of species of butterflies, moths, and skippers.
Because of their day-flying habits and bright colors, the butterflies are more familiar than the chiefly night-flying and dull-colored moths, but the latter are far more varied and abundant. The skippers are a worldwide group intermediate between butterflies and moths. With the exception of a few moths, all adult lepidopterans have two pairs of wings. The name Lepidoptera is derived from the Greek, meaning “scaly winged,” and refers to the characteristic covering of microscopic dustlike scales on the wings.
Source note(s)
Culin, Joseph. "Lepidoptera". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Sep. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/animal/lepidopteran. Accessed 17 September 2026.