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Butterfly Terms and Meanings
The phrasing of the definitions has been made simple and clear enough that
persons who do not know the terms can easily learn them; unless otherwise noted,
all definitions implicitly refer to butterflies.
abdomen. The elongate hind part of the body, behind the thorax.
aberration. An individual animal not normal in appearance or structure,
owing to either environmental or genetic factors. Compare mutant.
adult. The final life stage of an insect, capable of reproduction.
aedeagus. The male's mating organ.
aestivate. To pass all or part of the summer in a dormant (diapausing)
state. Compare hibernate; see also diapause.
allopatric. Not occurring together, as, for example, two or more species
whose ranges do not overlap. Compare sympatric.
androconia (sing. androconium). Scent scales on adults (specifically,
those with narrowed brushy tips).
antenna. (pl. antennae) Either of the two long appendages on the head,
which serve to detect odors.
anterior. Toward the front; toward the tip of the head. Compare
posterior.
apical. At the tip of; on the wing at its apex. Compare basal.
apiculus. The bent tip of the antenna in skippers.
arthropod. Any animal with jointed legs, an exoskeleton, and no backbone
(a crab or an insect, for example).
backcross. A successful mating between a hybrid and an individual
belonging to one of the parent taxa of that hybrid; also, the offspring of such
a mating. Compare interbreed, intergrade, introgression.
basal. At or toward the base; toward the body or the center of the body;
on the wing near its base. Compare apical.
Batesian mimic. An edible species mimicking a poisonous species. Compare
Mullerian mimic; see also mimicry.
biennial. Having a two-year life cycle.
biological species. species (pl. species). A basic grouping of formal
classification (taxonomy): a group of organisms, usually scattered as a number
of populations, constituting all the individuals that could if brought together
in nature mate readily and produce healthy fertile offspring, designated by an
uncapitalized italicized name (actually the genus name and the species name
together designate the species). Compare genus, hybrid, subspecies.
bursa copulatrix. A sac in the female abdomen wherein the male's
spermatophore is stored and, after the sperm are released, digested.
caterpillar. The larva of any butterfly, and of most moths, having legs
and prolegs for crawling.
cell. In microbiology, a membrane-bounded mass of protoplasm containing a
nucleus and other structures; in butterfly study, any area between wing veins.
See also vein.
chaparral. Any dry shrubby thicket (other than sagebrush) in the
foothills of the western United States or in ecologically similar regions
elsewhere.
chromosome. A structure in the cell's nucleus containing DNA (of which
genes consist), held together by special proteins. Compare DNA, gene.
chrysalis. pupa (pl. pupae). The mummylike quiescent stage between larva
and adult in most insects, in which the structure of the insect is reorganized.
cline. A gradual change in any species' physical characteristics across
some portion of its geographic range; continuous intergradation. Compare
intergrade.
cocoon. A silk web enclosing a pupa.
collar. A hard transverse plate on the top of the larva just behind the
head.
colony. A local group of individuals geographically separated from other
groups belonging to the same species; an isolated population.
compound eye. Either of the two large eyes typical of insects and other
arthropods, consisting of many tiny simple eyes (ommatidia) that are crowded
together but optically separate (Fig. 8).
convergence. The development of a resemblance between two species or
subspecies that are not close genealogical (evolutionary) relatives (includes
mimicry).
costal fold. A flap containing scent scales on the leading edge of the
forewing in many males and in some females.
coxa (pl. coxae). The first segment of the leg, attached to the thorax.
cremaster. The posterior tip of the pupa, usually having crochets that
hook into a silk pad spun by the larva.
crochets. Tiny hooks, often occurring in species-specific patterns, on
the bottoms of the prolegs of larvae and on the cremasters of pupae, providing
security against a fall.
cross. (n. or v.). A hybrid (usually a laboratory hybrid); to hybridize.
diapause. (n. or v.). A natural (not disease-caused) state of suspended
development in any life stage, whether egg, larva, pupa, or adult; to pass
through such a state. See also aestivate, hibernate.
diaphragm. A muscular sheet extending across the ventral part of the
interior of the abdomen, employed in circulation and respiration. Compare
septum.
dicotyledon. Any flowering plant whose first sprout from the seed has a
pair of leaves (as in maples and potatoes) and whose leaves have branching
veins. Compare monocotyledon.
dimorphism. (adj. dimorphic). The occurrence of two different genetic
forms in one population (the difference can exist between the two sexes, or
within one of them, or within both). Compare polymorphism.
discal cell. The area between wing veins that extends from the base to
the middle of the wing.
DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid, the substance of genes that contains the
information needed to make proteins.
dominant. Prevailing over (dominating) a corresponding but different
inherited gene in its effect on the appearance, structure, or physiology of a
trait when both genes occur in a single organism. Compare recessive.
dorsal. Toward the top of the head or body. Compare ventral.
egg. The initial life stage of any insect.
electrophoresis. A laboratory procedure in which (for butterflies)
ground-up tissue is put into a gel and its proteins are sorted according to
their molecular structure and electric charge.
enzyme. A biological catalyst; a protein, produced by an organism itself,
that enables the splitting (as in digestion) or fusion of other chemicals.
exoskeleton. The hard case forming the outer surface of the body and
appendages of an arthropod.
family. A basic grouping of formal classification (taxonomy): a group of
subfamilies, tribes, and genera all of which are related to each other more
closely than to any other subfamily, tribe, or genus, designated by a
capitalized unitalicized name ending in -idae (for animals) or -aceae (for
plants); occasionally a family contains just one genus. Compare superfamily.
fauna. (pl. faunas). All the animal species that occupy the same, or
roughly the same, geographic range; also, a subset of all such animals, as, for
example, cave fauna or mammalian fauna.
femur. The first long movable segment of the leg, between the trochanter
and the tibia.
flight. A single generation of adults, or the span of time during which
they appear (compare generation, partial flight); also, the act of flying.
form. An optional subordinate grouping of formal classification
(taxonomy): a subgroup of a species distinguished in appearance or structure
from other, sympatric subgroups, and designated in this book by an uncapitalized
italicized name. Compare dimorphism, polymorphism, subspecies.
fw. forewing
gene. Any of the strings of DNA on a chromosome that make a protein that
in turn forms part of the body or acts as an enzyme in the body's chemical
factory.
generation. All the individuals of a single life cycle (from egg to larva
to pupa to adult) in a single population. Compare flight, partial flight.
genus. (pl. genera). A basic grouping of formal classification
(taxonomy): a group of species all of which are related to each other more
closely than to any other species, designated by a capitalized italicized name;
occasionally a genus contains just one species. Compare tribe.
gnathos. A hook (or pair of hooks) on top of the tip of the male abdomen,
used in mating.
hair pencil. A cluster of hairlike scent scales everted during courtship.
herb. (adj. herbaceous). Any non-grassy annual, biennial, or perennial
plant without woody stems or a trunk, generally dying back in winter. Compare
shrub.
hibernaculum. (pl. hibernacula). A winter nest.
hibernate. To pass all or part of the winter in a dormant (diapausing)
state. Compare aestivate; see also diapause.
holotype. The single museum specimen that scientists accept as the formal
basis for the name of a species or subspecies.
hormone. A chemical produced by one part of the body and circulating in
the blood to another part, where it produces an effect (on molting or diapause,
for example).
hostplant. Any plant eaten by larvae and on which the eggs are normally
laid (often species-specific).
hybrid. The offspring of two animals or plants of different genera,
species, subspecies, or forms. Compare backcross, interbreed, intergrade,
introgression.
hw. hindwing
inflorescence. The cluster of flowering parts terminating any one main
stem of a plant, comprising one to many flowers.
inheritance. The way that the mother's and father's genes are used in the
offspring to produce the color pattern, structure, or physiology of a genetic
trait. For the usual ways, see also dominant, quantitatively inherited,
recessive, sex-linked.
interbreed. To mate successfully in nature (typically as between two
subspecies or forms), producing healthy fertile offspring. Compare hybrid,
intergrade, introgression.
intergrade. To interbreed in the geographic area between the ranges of
two subspecies, producing individuals or populations intermediate in appearance
or structure (if intergradation is gradual, a "cline" is said to occur). Compare
hybrid, introgression.
introgression. The natural introduction of genes from one species into a
second, due to rare successful hybridization between them and requiring a
backcross to the second parent species. Compare interbreed, intergrade.
juxta. A Y-shaped or V-shaped support beneath the aedeagus.
labrum. The anterior hardened "lip" of an insect, in front of the
mandibles. See also mouthparts.
lamella. (pl. lamellae). A hard plate sometimes present near the female's
mating tube.
larva. (pl. larvae). The fleshy, wingless young of advanced insects
(butterflies, beetles, bees, etc.) in the life stage between egg and pupa (in
butterflies and moths, the larva is commonly called a "caterpillar").
lateral. Toward the side, away from the dorsal or ventral midline of the
body.
life zone. A latitudinal or altitudinal range with mostly uniform
vegetation, animals, and climate.
longitudinal. Running from front to back on the body rather than from
side to side, as a stripe or structure. Compare transverse.
lunule. A crescent-shaped spot on the wing.
mandible. Either of the two toothed jaws of a larva, used for biting and
chewing food. See also mouthparts.
marginal. Along the outer margin of the wing.
mating tube. The channel in the male or female abdomen through which the
sperm and spermatophore pass to the bursa copulatrix.
median. On the middle of the wing.
mesothorax. The second (middle) segment of the thorax. Compare metathorax,
prothorax.
metamorphosis. The process of development through very different life
stages, from egg to larva to pupa to adult; also, any change of stage within
that process.
metathorax. The third (rear) segment of the thorax. Compare mesothorax,
prothorax.
middorsal. Along the midline of the back, or top, of the body.
midventral. Along the midline of the bottom of the body.
migration. The movement of adults (often seasonal) to breed or feed at a
place many kilometers away from the area of their birth.
mimic. (n. or v.). A species closely resembling a model; to resemble a model
closely. See also Batesian mimic, mimicry, Mullerian mimic.
mimicry. A process in which one species (the mimic) has come to resemble
a second, poisonous species (the model), resulting in a lessened likelihood of
the mimic's being eaten by predators that refuse to eat the model. Compare
convergence.
model. A poisonous species mimicked by another species. See also mimicry.
molting. Shedding the larval skin, or exoskeleton.
monocotyledon. Any flowering plant whose first sprout from the seed has
only one leaf (as in grasses and orchids) and whose leaves have parallel veins.
Compare dicotyledon.
moth: a generic term for all of the species in the moth and butterfly
order (Lepidoptera) which are not butterflies. In other words, butterflies are
actually just one of the many kinds of moths, while all the rest of the moths
are still called moths, thus Spinx Moths, Inchworm Moths, Bagworm Moths, etc.
Many moths fly at night, and most moths have non-clubbed antennae, but some
moths look quite like butterflies.
mouthparts. All the appendages of and surrounding the mouth, including
the labrum, mandibles, palpi, and proboscis.
movements. The travel patterns of adults (includes migration if the
species migrates).
Müllerian mimic. A poisonous species mimicking another poisonous species.
Compare Batesian mimic; see also mimicry.
mutant. An individual animal genetically different in appearance,
structure, or physiology owing to a change (whether accidental or induced by
chemicals or radiation) in an old gene in its parent's sperm or egg, and not
produced by hybridization, interbreeding, or introgression. Compare aberration.
nudum. The scaleless area on the tip of the antenna, where scent
detectors are common, occurring especially in skippers.
ocellus. (pl. ocelli). Either of the two tiny eyes between the compound
eyes on the head of any moth, absent in butterfly adults and larvae (larval eyes
are ommatidia, not ocelli).
ommatidium. (pl. ommatidia). Each facet or individual eye in the adult
compound eye; also, each eye of the larva.
order. A basic grouping of formal classification (taxonomy): a group of
superfamilies or families all of which are related to each other more closely
than to any other superfamily or family, designated by an uncapitalized
unitalicized name; occasionally an order contains just one family.
osmeterium. (pl. osmeteria). A reddish, foul-smelling, fork-shaped organ
that pops out behind the head in some butterfly larvae, used to startle and
deter predators.
overwinter. See hibernate.
oviposit. To lay one or more eggs.
ovipositor. A pair of pillow-shaped structures on the tip of the female
abdomen that extrude the egg or eggs.
palp. (pl. palpi). A feeding and sensory appendage on the larval head;
also (through metamorphosis), the olfactory and cleaning appendage on the front
of the adult head. See also mouthparts.
partial flight. A group of adults that have emerged from pupation while
most of their generation remains in diapause. See also flight.
patrolling. Mate-locating behavior in which the male flies almost
constantly in search of females. Compare perching.
perching. Mate-locating behavior in which the male waits at a
characteristic site and darts out at passing individuals or other flying objects
to seek females, generally returning to the same site after unsuccessful
flights. Compare patrolling.
pheromone. A scent used to attract, seduce, or repel mates; in general,
any chemical (not a poison) that stimulates a behavioral response in another
individual.
photoperiod. The time between dawn and dusk in any one day.
polarized light. Light vibrating in only one direction (for example, the
light filtered through polarizing sunglasses), visible to bees and many
butterflies. Compare ultraviolet.
polygenic. See quantitatively inherited.
polymorphism. (adj. polymorphic). The occurrence of two or more different
genetic forms in one population (the differences can exist between the two
sexes, or within one of them, or within both). Compare dimorphism.
population. All the individuals of a species that live near each other
and have a chance (though some adults may die before others emerge from
pupation) of mating with each other. Compare colony.
postbasal. On the wing, just beyond its base.
posterior. Toward the rear; toward the tip of the abdomen. Compare
anterior.
postmedian. On the wing, just past its middle.
postnatal seta. Any of a few hairs (setae), present on second-stage and
older moth and butterfly larvae, that are absent on first-stage larvae. Compare
primary seta, secondary seta.
primary seta. Any of a few hairs (setae) present on nearly all moth and
butterfly first-stage larvae. Compare postnatal seta, secondary seta.
proboscis. The feeding tube of an adult butterfly. See also mouthparts.
process. Any hardened, unjointed protrusion of the exoskeleton. Also a
natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular
result.
proleg. Any of the ten false legs on the posterior segments of a larva.
prothorax. The first (front) segment of the thorax. Compare mesothorax,
metathorax.
pupa. (pl. pupae). The mummylike quiescent stage between larva and adult
in most insects, in which the structure of the insect is reorganized.
pupate. To advance from the larval to the pupal stage.
quantitatively inherited. Affected by many genes, so that all types of
intermediate individuals can occur along with the individuals most different in
structure or appearance.
race. See subspecies.
range. The geographic area occupied by a species or subspecies.
recessive. Suppressed by a corresponding but different inherited gene in
its effect on the appearance, structure, or physiology of a trait when both
genes occur in a single organism. Compare dominant.
resilin. A rubbery protein in the wing base, proboscis, or other bendable
sites in the exoskeleton.
saccus. A male mating structure.
sclerite. Any hardened plate constituting part of the exoskeleton.
scolus. (pl. scoli). Any branching spine or seta-bearing cone on a larva.
scudders. Butterflies of the superfamily Papilionoidea, distinguished
from skippers. Typically scudders are beautiful and tend to fly more slowly than
skippers.
secondary seta. Any of numerous extra hairs (setae) that develop as a
larva grows from the first stage to maturity. Compare postnatal seta, primary
seta.
septum. A muscular sheet extending across the interior of the base of the
abdomen. Compare diaphragm.
seta. (pl. setae). Any tiny socketed projection from the exoskeleton
(except the highly flattened ones, which are called "scales"), commonly hairlike
in appearance.
sex-linked. Determined by a gene on a sex chromosome, so that males and
females may differ in structure or appearance; also, located on a sex
chromosome, as a gene.
shrub. Any non-grassy perennial plant with a number of woody stems (as
distinct from a tree). Compare herb.
skippers. Butterflies of the superfamily Hesperioidea, distinguished from
scudders. Typically ugly and fly faster than scudders.
sp. species
ssp. subspecies
species. (pl. species). A basic grouping of formal classification
(taxonomy): a group of organisms, usually scattered as a number of populations,
constituting all the individuals that could if brought together in nature mate
readily and produce healthy fertile offspring, designated by an uncapitalized
italicized name (actually the genus name and the species name together designate
the species). Compare genus, hybrid, subspecies.
spermatophore. The sperm sac transferred to the female during mating
(Fig. 30). See also bursa copulatrix.
sphragis. A hard deposit left on the female abdomen by males of some
species just after mating, which prevents the female from remating.
spinneret. The silk-dispensing lobe beneath the larval head.
spiracle. Any of a series of breathing holes along the sides of the body.
spur. Either of the two (or, in some skippers, any of the four) long
spinelike projections on the tibia.
stigma. Any conspicuous patch of scent scales, usually occurring on the
wing if present (but often absent).
stink club. A process on the tip of the abdomen of most female
Heliconiini, bearing scent scales.
subdorsal. Just below the top of the head or body, between the middorsal
and lateral areas (closer to the middorsal).
subfamily. An optional intermediate grouping of formal classification
(taxonomy): a group of tribes or genera all of which are related to each other
more closely than to any other tribe or genus, designated by a capitalized
unitalicized name ending in -inae (for animals) or -oideae (for plants);
occasionally a subfamily contains just one genus. Compare family.
sublateral. Just below the side of the head or body, between the lateral
area and the legs (closer to the lateral area).
submarginal. On the wing, just inside its marginal zone.
submedian. On the wing, just before its middle.
subspecies. (pl. subspecies). An optional subordinate grouping of formal
classification (taxonomy): a subgroup of a species that occupies a distinct
geographic range and in which most individuals differ in appearance or structure
from those belonging to other subgroups of the same species living elsewhere,
designated by an uncapitalized italicized name (usually given along with the
genus and species names). Compare form, species.
sulcus. (pl. sulci). An internal strengthening ridge of the exoskeleton,
visible under a light microscope as a dark line beneath the exoskeleton.
superfamily. An optional intermediate grouping of formal classification
(taxonomy): a group of families all of which are related to each other more
closely than to any other family, designated by a capitalized unitalicized name
ending in -oidea (for animals) or -ideae (for plants); occasionally a
superfamily contains just one family. Compare order.
supralateral. Just above the side of the head or body, between the
lateral and subdorsal areas (closer to the lateral).
sympatric. Occurring together, as, for example, two or more species whose
ranges overlap (such species are said to be sympatric in the area where they
occur together). Compare allopatric.
taiga. The vast cold coniferous forest at high latitude or high altitude.
Compare tundra.
tarsus. (pl. tarsi). The tip, or concluding segment, of the leg.
taxon. (pl. taxa). Any group, of any size, that has a scientific name;
also, the name assigned to such a group.
tegula. (pl. tegulae). Either of the two dorsal flaps between the
prothorax and the forewing.
tegumen. A hardened dorsal plate on the male genitalia.
thorax. The middle section of the body, to which the legs and wings are
attached.
tibia. (pl. tibiae). The second long movable segment of the leg, between
the femur and the tarsus.
transverse. Running from side to side on the body rather than from front
to back, as a stripe or structure. Compare longitudinal.
tribe. An optional intermediate grouping of formal classification
(taxonomy): a group of genera all of which are related to each other more
closely than to any other genus, designated by a capitalized unitalicized name
ending in -ini (for animals) or -ieae (for plants); occasionally a tribe
contains just one genus. Compare subfamily.
trochanter. The second segment of the leg, between the coxa and the
femur.
tubercle. Any hairless projection on a larva or pupa.
tundra. The grassy treeless zone at high latitude or high altitude.
Compare taiga.
tympanum. (pl. tympana). A hearing organ on the exoskeleton or wing,
consisting of a thin membrane with air behind it.
type. holotype. The single museum specimen that scientists accept as the
formal basis for the name of a species or subspecies.
upf. upper side of forewing
unf. underside of forewing
uph. upperside of hindwing
unh. underside of hindwing
ups. upperside
uns. underside
ultraviolet. A range of light with a wavelength shorter than violet,
visible to butterflies but not to humans. Compare polarized light.
uncus. A projection or pair of projections (commonly hook-shaped) on top
of the tip of the male abdomen, used during mating.
valva. (pl. valvae). Either of the two viselike ventral appendages on the
tip of the male abdomen that grip the female during mating.
vein. Any of the tubular struts of the wings (blood veins, such as those
of vertebrates, do not occur in butterflies).
ventral. Toward the bottom of the head or body. Compare dorsal.
wing vein. vein. Any of the tubular struts of the wings (blood veins,
such as those of vertebrates, do not occur in butterflies).
zone. See life zone.
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This site was last updated 05/25/04