Egg: Shape, color, & texture vary by species

All have a depression at the top called

the Micropile. Sperm enters this during

fertilization.

Covered in microscopic pores to allow

air in.

Eggs formed in the body of the female,

laid externally.

Females store sperm, and fertilize when

they are ready.

Females lay eggs singularly or in

batches.

They glue the eggs to leaves, in wet

areas, or underside of leaves.

3 factors for egg laying:

1. Plant species

2. Precise Humidity

3. High up, away from

herbivore grazing.

Larvae (caterpillar): 2 weeks-

Eat egg shell when hatched.

Feed on plants (mostly)-part of plant

may depend on life stage.

Trenching or mining behavior or toxic

plants.

Scolopidia-nerve cells trigger molting

by detecting stretching in the elastic skin

between body segments.

Each molt stage=Instar.

Most have up to 6 instars

New sink forms under the old, shed off

starting at the head.

Inflates body with air and fluids for

molting.

1-2 hours before the body “hardens”

they are vulnerable.

Caterpillars: Some are “naked” and some are

furred.

Hairs provide:

.Harder to swallow by

predators

.Insulation

.Air pockets between hairs

help them float in puddles

.Defense

Some have venomous spikes

General rule=

solitary caterpillars are more

palatable so they have more

camouflage.

Communal feeders are more

toxic and have brighter

colors.

Pupa:

Wandering or dispersion phase.

Spins silk button or girdle

Anchors by their anal claspers or Cremaster.

Hangs two days, prologs shrink, body segments

enlarge, takes on hunchback shape.

Skin splits, becomes legless in a non-eating phase

called pupa, and hardens into chrysalis.

No “soup” but the stem cells develop from

segments into wings and other body parts.

Emerge: Those with silk cocoons secret solvents

from their proboscis to dissolve the cocoon. Others

use body fluid pressure.

Pump fluids into wings and body.

Remove metabolic waste= Meconium.

Females may release pheromones 2-3 days before

emergence.

EYES:

Compound

1,7000 Oomatidia-individual light receptors

360 degree mosaic view

Lenses can’ t focus

Can detect each oomatadium separately

See polarized light and sun even on cloudy day,

as well as UV light

Detect UV light patterns of flowers

Also detect UV light patterns on wings

HEAD:

Magnetic detection for migration and

magnetic fields

Labial Palpi-small projections covered

in olfactory sensors.

PROBOSCIS:

Pair of interlocking channels that for a tube like straw.

Coiled when stored, and unfurled to drink.

Two sections can be uncoupled if it’s clogged or needs to be cleaned.

Olfactory sensors on tip, taste nectar , pollen, dung, minerals, natal

plants, etc.

ANTENNAE: Always clubbed at the tip

Covered in hairs or olfactory pits (~130,000)

Radar for pheromones and nectar

Communicate physically

Used to taste or “dip” for soil chemistry

Also used to detect humidity for egg laying

Johnston’s Organ-at base of antennae, covered in nerve cells called

Scolopidia, which are sensitive to stretching and used to detect

orientation, position, gravity, wind speed, and direction.

LEGS:

3 pairs of legs.

On Nymphalidae (brush foots) front legs

are modified as brush like stumps that are

Chemoreceptors.

On forelegs of some there’s a flexible

spur for cleaning antennae.

Tibia of all legs have Subgenual Organ

to detect and amplify vibrations.

Middle leg especially covered in

olfactory sensors to taste landing

locations.

Females use legs to chemically analyze

plants as laying surfaces for eggs.

Many have spurs on legs to pierce

leaves..

ABDOMEN:

10 Segments

Segments held together by flexible

chitin

Holds digestive system, hearts, sex

organs

Breathe through Sphiracles or tiny holes

in sides of abdomen; through contraction

of body, wings, etc.

Reproductive organs are lock and key

system

Females have internal Ovipositor.

Spinneretts used for attachment of

cocoon and webs.

BODY:

Exoskeleton

Covered in hairs or olfactory

sensors

Olfactory sensors on legs,

antennae, thorax and abdomen.

Open Circulatory System

Hemolymph instead of bloodf

blood.

WINGS:

2 pairs

Membranes, are transparent but covered in scales

Scales vary in shape

3 types of scales:

.Pigmentary: colors from plants eaten (red, black, white, yellow)

.Structural: Diffraction or light bending (iridescent colors)

.Androconia: Male butterflies, on forewings, raised dark structures

with scent sacks of pheromones.

Colors used for mate detection, warn predators, camouflage.

Scales don’t re-grow

Rapid wing beats, up to 200 per second Wings used for body warming through vibration.

Black Swallowtail caterpillar and chrysalis

Zebra Swallowtail

E. Tiger Swallowtail Female Male

Spicebush Swallowtail

osmeterium

Cabbage White

Orange Sulfur

S. Dogface

Clouded Sulfur

Cloudless Sulfur

Banded Hairstreak Gray Hairstreak

E. Tailed Blue

Atlantic Holly Azure

Silver Spotted Skipper

N. Cloudywing

Sachem

Dun Skipper

American Lady Painted Lady Mourning Cloak

Pearl Crescent

Eastern Comma Question Mark

Red Spotted Purple

Monarch

Viceroy

Male Monarch

Female Monarch

A. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, B. Red Spotted Purple, C. Spicebush Swallowtail, D. Pipevine Swallowtail.

A. Zebra Swallowtail, B. Silver Spotted Skipper, C. Question Mark, D. Banded Hairstreak, E. Viceroy, F. Clouded Sulfur, G. American Lady