A Few Questions on Butterflies
Complete metamorphosis refers to the going through of four stages in life cycle, namely, egg, larva, pupa and adult. Butterfly exhibits different form and habits in each stage of the life cycle.
Like other insects, the body of an adult butterfly is composed of the head, thorax and abdomen. There are 2 pairs of wings and 3 pairs of legs on its thorax (the first pair of legs in some species have degenerated). On its head are a pair of compound eyes, a pair of antennae and a proboscis for feeding.
The forewings of butterflies are larger than the hindwings. Upon closer observation, you will find broad stripes on them. Each wing consists of wing venation and wing membrane — the wing venation is an important clue for scientists to identify butterfly species.
Insects in the Order Lepidoptera have scaly wings. These tiny scales give butterfly its shimmering wings.