The scientific name of a butterfly is derived from morphological, molecular, and zoological data. It can be a common name for a particular species, or it can be a unique scientific name that is very specific to the type of butterfly. A full scientific description is published in a recognized scientific journal. The origin of the scientific names varies greatly. Some species are named after Greek gods, others are named for the place they were discovered, and some are named for a famous entomologist. Other scientific names describe a species’ colour, pattern, and wing shape.
The life cycle of a butterfly starts with the caterpillar, which develops into an adult. The caterpillar’s life cycle begins with the development of an egg. When the egg hatches, it produces a chrysalis casing. It then starts eating the leaves, resulting in the development of a caterpillar. The adult butterfly will live for a week or two, but some species can live for as long as 18 months.
The male atala is a common butterfly that lives in southern Florida. It has a brilliant metallic green forewing and a narrow greenish line on its hindwing. The female has a blue streak running along the rear margin of her forewing, and both sexes have a bright red abdomen. The underside of the atala’s hindwing is a blackish color with blue spots.
The imago, or adult butterfly, has four wings covered with tiny scales. Unlike moths, the butterfly’s wings are not hooked together. It has six true legs instead of a proleg. Its larva has a number of prolegs, which help it move about, and a pair of legs is referred to as a “flying” insect. The newly-emerged adult needs time to inflate its wings and is vulnerable to predators.
The life cycle of a butterfly is complex. It includes the larva, the adult, and the pupa. Often, a species will migrate twice, and the different generations have different characteristics. During the adult stage, a butterfly’s wings are nearly half its wingspan, and the smallest butterflies are the tiniest. The tiniest butterflies are wingless, while the largest are birdwings.
The butterfly belongs to the kingdom Animalia, also known as Metazoa. Its members include mammals, insects, and arachnids. All arthropods are bilaterally symmetrical with strongly segmented bodies. Among the butterflies, they belong to the subphylum Hexa, which means “wing”. They belong to the class Insecta and the phylum Hexa.
In addition to migratory patterns, butterfly species are also highly visible because of their color. Some butterflies are migratory, and some even migrate hundreds of miles to reach their breeding grounds. In the past, a butterfly’s name was derived from the belief that it steals milk. Similarly, the word “milk thief” originated in Old English. Hence, the word butterfly is a Dutch language-based term.
