ORDER: LEPIDOPTERA
Characteristics of the imago (adult)
1. SCALES
Lepidoptera = 'scale-wing'
Usually broad overlapping scales on two pairs of wings, head, thorax, abdomen and appendages.
Lepidoptera = 'scale-wing'
Usually broad overlapping scales on two pairs of wings, head, thorax, abdomen and appendages.
2. EPIPHYSIS
On medial surface of fore-tibia, articulated proximally.
Present in nearly all Lepidopteran families and not found in any other order.
Used for grooming antennae and proboscis
On medial surface of fore-tibia, articulated proximally.
Present in nearly all Lepidopteran families and not found in any other order.
Used for grooming antennae and proboscis
3. PROBOSCIS
Maxillary galaea modified into a haustellum (=proboscis) in all Lepidopteran families except Micropterigidae. Unique to Lepidoptera.
Maxillary galaea modified into a haustellum (=proboscis) in all Lepidopteran families except Micropterigidae. Unique to Lepidoptera.
