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5-21-1997
The Life cycle of moths and butterflies
Mary Walter
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Rochester Institute
A Thesis
of
submitted to the
Imaging
Aits
degree
and
of
The Life Cycle
of
Technology
Faculty
of the
College
Sciences in candidacy for
Master of Fine Arts.
of
Moths
and
by
Mary
E. Walter
May 21,
1997
Butterflies
the
Approvals
Chief Advisor: Robert Wabnitz
Date
Y"-
30
-
q 7/
Chief Advisor: Dr. N. Wanek
Chief Advisor: Dr. Peter Walter
Date.
:=...J+~Z_'_.L'__,9~/-"-?.L7---7 7
I Mary Walter, hereby grant permission to the Wallace Memorial Library of RIT to
reproduce my thesis in whole or in pat1. Any reproduction will not be for commercial
use or profit.
Signature
Date
r-:
:'::>-f/~\"'_"Jf-+-/-+~/_7.l--.7
17 .
_
_
1
Introduction
It is
developed
animal species are
mately 800,000
which are
that eighty percent of all
insects. There are approxi
estimated
insects, 180,000
Lepidoptera (Arnett & Jacques,
198 1). In this
attributes of
species of
paper
butterflies
will explain
cal
their
attributes,
doing
so
unique survival
mechanisms,
habits.
shows
aids
Butterflies
the
are members of
Arthropods,
evolved
from
ancestor are
branches;
phylum
an annelid
divided into the three
insects). All
solar radiation
ture
more quickly.
arthropods;
head,
Butterflies
and
moths,
body
other
on each
antennae, a
thoracic segment),
pair of maxillae with a
a pair of
a
mandibles,
sensory palpi,
hypopharynx (a tongue like structure), a labi
(a
tion
is
for
pah"
specialized
of
increasing
the species.
predators.
led to
Basking
in
thermoregula
insects. Butterflies
broad
insects
winged
and
insects,
are
the Triassic
during
Stonefly (Douglas,
arisen
1989).
of
head
Life Cycle
The
appendages
Of the twenty-nine
the world,
Lepidoptera,
butterflies
and
orders of
which
skippers, is one
insects in
includes
of
the
moths,
largest.
approximately 13,700 species of
Lepidoptera in North America, and 1 80,000 in
are
stages of
butterfly
development
include egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Metamorphosis is the process by which the
immature
stage
by
is transformed from
butterfly
Metamorphosis is
to the next.
gene regulation.
within each of
and chrysalis
Therefore,
groups of
the
different
which are
egg,
larva,
by various
during
turned on
development.
the genes of the organism remain
the same throughout the
ent groups of genes are
throughout
stages:
are controlled
stages of
controlled
changes that occur
immature
/ pupa,
genes,
The
one
life cycle, but differ
turned on and off
development (Douglas, 1989).
Monarch Butterfly:
(Arnett & Jacques, 1981).
Lepidoptera, like
possess wings.
explain
winged
and
that these advantages also
from the
(Arnett & Jacques, 1981).
world
absorb
tempera
to aid in escape from
winged
the
the
further,
and
a common means of
behind the maxillae) and two pair of wings
(some insects have one or no pair of wings)
There
body
muscles, enabling
moths, which are
thorax and
like
the class Insecta possess three
legs (one
pair of
um
likely
by
members of the phylum arthro
exhibit the
one pair of
leg
to forage longer
period
centipedes, millipedes, and
the
to
Warming occurs in pockets
winglets, increasing tempera
believed to have
in that they
members of
scor
(crabs, lobster,
segmentation of
pairs of
beneath
the sun
major
dis
(Douglas,
elevation
to increase
increased dispersal
type
poda are similar
abdomen.
temperature
response rates
the mandibulates (the
Onychophora,
to air tubules
ing
It is
(spiders, ticks,
pions, etc.), the crustaceans
crayfish)
Arthropoda.
(earthworm)
the chelicerates
and
insects,
all
believed to have
which are
body
tures of
moths, like
and
sexual
The thermoregulatory hypothesis
that an increase in the size of winglets
in
of air
Evolutionary History
insects, for
or as moveable winglets
1989).
I
evolutionary history, physi
development and
and colonization and migration
of minute
al
protect openings
stages of
metamorphosis,
that wings may have developed to aid in "aeri
play to lure mates,
and moths which make
In
protruded out
flaps that
attached
from the thorax. It is believed
dispersal"
of
I hope to describe the
them unique from other insects.
flat, widely
as
There
other
insect
are several
evolution of winged
most accepted view
which suggests
is the
that the
theories to
insects. The
paranotal
first
orders
theoiy,
wings of
insects
fig.l Larva
from egg
hatching
fig. 2 Full
grown
larva
or close
to the larval butterfly's food supply
Douglas, 1989). For
butterfly
leaves
lays her
example, the Monarch
eggs on
the young, tender
of the milkweed plant, while
Swallowtail commonly deposits its
garden
ly
fig. 3 Pupa
of the
Butterfly
Buffalo Museum
of
Science)
colored,
with variations
mental stage of
Butterflies
reproduce
sexually,
with
on
the
the egg.
or chorion of eggs
is
in color,
The
identification. In the
female
egg is
a small
sperm and
egg are haploid in their chromosome num
ber. That is, each sex cell contains half the
number of chromosomes of
the
body
cells
ize the
While the
egg.
center of each
or micropyle, through
which sperm permeates
the
chorion
takes
and resistant
place via
micropyle
exchange
or air pockets called
plastrons, which act as gills to
even when
dioxide, it is
to injury. Gas
ducts
to fertil
facilitates the
chorion
exchange of oxygen and carbon
strong
(Douglas, 1989).
hole
develop
surface structure
a common means of
specie
Both
size and
species and
the male contributing the sperm, while the
contributes the egg.
quick
eggs are often white or cream
depending
shape
Reproduction
eggs on
larvae
devour.
fig. 4 Adult
(photos courtesy
parsley plants,
the
which
the Black
diffuse gases,
egg is immersed in water. The
may also participate in respiration
the
(Douglas, 1989).
Fig. 5 Pair
female
of
moth
mating Cecropia
is
on
the
because females have
upper
a
moths.
left,
larger
The
identifiable
abdomen.
Morphology
The
Egg
Eggs
ovaries of
are produced within
the female
oviducts which
and
travel to the
join to form
through which the eggs are
outside
the tubular
one
duct
deposited to the
(oviposition). Just before the egg is
released, it is fertilized by a sperm cell that
was stored in the corpus bursae, which is the
female butterfly's internal
sperm receptacle
(Douglas, 1989).
The female usually lays her
Fig. 6 The
eggs of the
moth are
generally laid in small clutches on the
leaves of lilac, apple, cherry, boxelder,
maple,
birch,
willow, plum and elderberry
trees (Mitchell &
eggs on
Cecropia
Zim, 1964).
Fig. 7 Poster
of
the life
-a
pair of
mating
-a
female
laying
cycle of
the Cecropia moth.
moths
lilac
-fourth
leaf (a female lays from 200 to 300 eggs)
-first
larval instar (actual
-second
larval instar (actual
-third
a clutch of eggs on a
size
larval instar (actual
-fifth
1/4 to 5/16 ")
size
1/2 to
3/4"
larval instar (actual
-Pupa
)
size
larval instar (actual
within
is shown)
its
1 1/4 to 1 1/2")
2 to 2 1/2")
size
size
silk cocoon
4 to
5")
(cut-away
view
4
Below the
is the
chorion
food
vitelline
membrane which envelopes and protects the
developing larva. Several other layers
develop between the chorion and vitelline
membrane as the
formation from
single celled
egg to the tiny
the species and weather con
on
ditions. Some
deposit their
species
eggs
in
the fall and the eggs over-winter in a state
diapause,
of arrest called
until
spring,
do
and
not
hatch
when conditions are optimal
body
are
size as
lizing
the cells multiply geometrically,
the egg
yolk
for
uti
When
nutrition.
using its
quently
eat
even
the
The larva fre
mandibles.
rest of
the egg chorion, and
locomotion),
The Larva
legs
with ventral crochets
grasping)
full
on
like". A large
American Harvester
butterfly)
to the
"worm
exoskeleton
exoskeleton, but
spiracles
via abdominal and
located along the
sides of
thoracic
the larva.
spiracles are valve regulated air openings
body
which extend
to supply
all
body
organs
(Douglas, 1989).
or ant
(ie. the larvae
hairstreak Harkenclenus thus
of the
and
blues Glaucopsyche lygdamus
Celastrina
puncture
soft and
related
carnivorous, eating aphids and
insects (ie. the larvae of the North
and pupae
the caterpillar, with
head, is
caterpillars
are
larvae
pro-
I hooks (for loco
exoskeleton of
the exception of the
larval
their host plants
Some
size.
and
(Douglas, 1989).
and muscles with oxygen
reach
with a
and ten abdominal segments,
of which possess non-jointed
that connect to the tracheae
Young larva feed
the larval
five
throughout the
they
segments of
possessing a pair of jointed legs
terminal claw (for food manipulation
The
that of neighboring unhatched eggs
(Douglas, 1989).
until
(Douglas, 1989).
resulting in fluid loss and death. Gas
exchange does not occur through the
the egg membranes and
chorion
the labium
could cause collapse of the exoskeleton,
ready to emerge from the egg the larva
chews through
is found between the
each
motion and
the egg increases in
released,
divided into three thoracic segments,
The
within
the larval spinneret, from
The thirteen
(Douglas, 1989).
The larva
is
maxillae and
larva develops. The trans
is found behind the
consumption,
Lastly,
mandibles.
which silk
lava usually takes between three to ten days,
depending
during
the
and
)
argiolus pseudargiolus
(Douglas, 1989).
Larvae
thirteen
larva
body
are composed of a
segments.
The head
each side of
the head
called the frons.
by
lip, is found just
while
the
labia
which
of simple eyes
separated six
to
which acts as an
above
lower lip. The
which works with
Instar #3
the mandibles,
is located just below
mandibles serves as a
maxilla,
for
triangular section
a
A labrum,
upper
and
of the
contains antennae, mandibles
crushing food, and six pairs
called ocelli. The ocelli are
the
head
the
labia to hold
Fig. 8 The five larval instars
moth
of
the Cecropia
Fig. 9 The first larval
instar
of the
actual size of
Cecropia moth,
1/4 to 5/16 inches.
Fig. 10 The
larval instar
moth,
actual size
of
the
second
Cecropia
l/2to 3/4 inches.
Fig. 11 The third larval
instar
actual size
of
the
Cecropia
moth,
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches.
Fig. 12 The fourth larval instar
Fig. 13 The fifth larval instar
of
of
the Cecropia moth, actual
size of
2 to 2 1/2 inches.
the Cecropia moth, actual size of 4 to 5
inches
7
The
larva con
brain
and
a
paired ventral nerve
tiny
dotted with pairs of ganglia, that extends
nervous system of the
increase
cord
between the
length
the
of
body (Douglas,
the
The circulatory
lar is an "open
1989).
decrease the
or
growth of
system of the caterpil
factors
species, although environmental
sists of a
the larva
The
number.
molts are called
is the
can
stages
instars.
Here,
major characteristic.
After the last instar stage, the larva
undergoes
system"
haemolymph is
heart that
from
and
from
holes
blood from
dorsal,
body
or
tubular
cavities
of the segments called ostia
haemolymph anteriorly
back into the
rest of the
where
it is
begins
system
with the
mouth, leads to the esophagus, and to the
The
filtered
tubules,
ion
and
where nitrogenous wastes
regulation
malpighian tubules
tine and
finally
are
(Douglas, 1989).
These
motion of
ventral
each
segment,
just
muscles produce
the
caterpillar
moves
forward
cles also
longitudinal
under
which
the
the crawling
through specific con
in the last
toward the
function to
pressure within the
segment that
head. These
maintain
mus
hydrostatic
the
larval body. If the larva is
punctured, the muscles contract around the site
of
injury
ids from
to
seal
leaking
The Cecropia
molts
it
off and prevent
out
the
bodily flu
transformation
it increases in
Butterflies
size.
"The
an adult
is
adult.
The
through a series of molts
exoskeletons and shed
becoming
embryo
develops
and then molts
from
the third
instar from the fourth instar,
fourth instar from the fifth instar,
the adult
and the
from
the pupa, and the pupa
(Gilbert, 1994).
"The molting
neural and
process
biochemical
is
a
neural sensors
exoskeleton
reactions under
Stretch
inform
has been
con-
receptors or
brain
the
com
very
hormonal (neurosecretory)
trol"(Douglas,1989).
This
to
larva. Subsequent
the second instar
the third
when
the
stretched to capacity.
and other physiological responses
inform
larva that it is ready to molt.
Consequently, the brain hormone PTTH
the
hormone)
thoraciocotropic
production of other
rosecretory
hormones is
released
intere ere balls down
pars
the corpora cardiac a, which
haemal
area of the
(pro-
that stimulates the
(Gilbert, 1994). PTTH travels from the
PTTH is
undergo a sud
from larva to
This is because the
caterpillar must produce
modate growth.
The
is the
neu
nerves to
neuro-
brain (Douglas, 1989).
released
and stimulates
from the
corpora
the Prothoracic
car-
glands
to produce the molting hormone ecdysone
and
caterpillar progresses
as
must come
while a
moth undergoes six
cycle.
fifth instar from
(Douglas, 1989).
Metamorphosis
den
its energy
the second-instar
molts separate
instar,
diaca
Moths
in its life
plex series of
dorsal
traction and relaxation patterns that produce a
compression wave
and
The
a pupa.
larva"(Gilbert, 1994).
which
the dorsal-ventral muscles,
located in
skin.
hind intes
caterpillar moves via the
longitudinal muscles, the
muscles and
the
to the rectum, through
wastes are eliminated
The
takes place.
lead to
feed,
not
from those foods ingested
become
The digestive
are
does
pupa
become
into the first-instar larva
body
(Douglas, 1989).
malpighian
a metamorphic molt to
The heart in
a posterior opening.
turn pumps
carried
circulated via a
receives
paired
The larval blood
(Douglas, 1989). However, ecdysone is not
active hormone, and must be activated
by a
heme-containing oxidase to become the active
hormone 20-hydroxy ecdysone (Gilbert, 1994).
progressively larger
the old ones, to accom
number of molts
characteristic of
before
the
an
Each
of
molt
involves
20-hydroxyecdysone,
epithelial cells
stances that
to
divide
form the
one or more pulses
which stimulates
and secrete sub
new
Brain
Neurosecretory
cells
Corpus
cardium
Juvenile
hormone (JH)
JH
Corpus
allatum
Binding
Prothoracicotropic
hormone (PTTH)
\
Prothoracic
protein
gland
(JHBP)
JL
i
JH-JHBP
Mitochondria
20-Hydroxyecdysone
Chromosomes
Chromosomes
Chromosomes
\
RNA (L)
Protein
Synthesis
Larval
structures
Fig. 14 The hormone
RNA (P)
Protein
Synthesis
Synthesis
Pupal
Adult
structures
regulation of metamorphosis.
(adapted from diagram found in
RNA (A)
Gilbert, 1994)
Protein
structures
exoskeleton
(Gilbert, 1994; Douglas, 1989).
"For
from
a molt
duces
a
a small rise
concentration
the
first
pulse pro
in the larval haemolymph
in
elicits a change
The second, large
yecdysone
larva,
in the hydroxyecdysone
and
cellular commitment.
hydrox
pulse of
hydroxyecdysone
produced
by
elicit an extra
JH into the last-instar
larval molt,
because
the first instar
even
adult tissue
commits and stimulates the epidermal cells
prior
(Gilbert, 1994).
change as
caterpil
which are groups of
(Douglas, 1989).
During the
to synthesize enzymes that digest and recy
cle the components of the
are
cells that must potentially become
immature
these pulses
the
giant caterpillar
may then molt to a giant chrysalis that pro
duces a giant adult. These strange changes
lars have imaginal discs,
The
delaying
(Gilbert, 1994). The
can
pupal
molt"
possible
initiates the differentiation
events associated with molting.
supplied
neously
increases in
last instar, the larva
Just
size and gains much weight.
exoskeleton"
In the
case of
the Cecropia moth,
environmental conditions can
ing. The Cecropia
state of
pupa
is
(Douglas, 1989).
a
of cold
in diapause
If the larva is molting to
larval instar, the
in
corpora
yet another
allata, a pair of
neurosecretory lobes in the brain, secretes
juvenile hormone. Juvenile hormone is the
second major effector
hormone in
development,
and moth
to
epithelial cells
butterfly
and stimulates
maintain
"the larval
the
status
If the larva is undergoing the last
to become the pupa, only a small
amount of
JH is
released.
transition
is from
produced
(the
to the
pupa
corpora allata
producing
Lastly, if the
to adult,
medial nerve
JH),
and the
no
is the
tally
or
upward, but
addition, there are a
soil
or
(Baronia
in
surface
what
be (Douglas, 1989;
is
downward. In
species of primitive
pupate underground
brevicornis)
or produce cocoons
1986).
pad
series of special
the
last
of
the abdomen.
producing larvae "sink
hooks
As the larval
new
removed
when
from larvae,
occurs, resulting
of small pupae and small
Conversely, "absorption
of
exoge-
silk pad
The
'stripping'
of the
actual
skin splits over
first
within minutes
the pupa proper and hours
is termed
ecdysis.
legs,
antennae,
free
of
the
these casings join
later the
chrysalis
structure,
even
though the various appendages and their
cases can
lar
the head of the
almost
appears as a single cohesive
individual
just
the larval exoskeleton slides over
chrysalis, the wing pads,
body. But,
a
the last abdominal
on
the end of a molt
val skin at
in loose
leaf litter (Parnassius
spp)(Douglas,
Silk
seldom
few
(ie. pierid,
larva) face horizon
lycaenid
and mouthparts are at
corpora allata
adults.
produce a silk girdle
neurosecretory
Researchers have found that
in the formation
pad, and
Those that
papilionide and
a
head downward.
hang
spin a silk
segments, the cremaster, into the
premature metamorphosis
pupation
Most larvae
as
Gilbert, 1994).
the
for
branch, by spinning
cells
JH that determines
will
a
silk pad or a u-shaped girdle.
from
only 20-hydroxyecdysone and
another eclosion hormone. Consequently, it
the next stage
like
priate substrate
gland
release
amount of
travel significant
often
a suitable site
When ready to proceed to the pupal
stage, the larva suspends itself from an appro
JH is
from the brain
inhibits the
under
The Chrysalis
butterflies that
quo"(Douglas, 1994).
molt
forms
exoskeleton
Caterpillars
distances to locate
1994).
indefinitely (Gilbert,
skin.
the caterpillar's color may
the larval
not
least fourteen days
weather, the pupa will remain
the
pupation
molt
pupa over-winters
diapause. If the
exposed to at
impact
to
be easily
10
During
pupation
the genes for larval charac
teristics are turned off, while those controlling
the expression of adult characteristics are acti
vated.
Many
broken down,
characteristics of the
larva
are
tissue
and replaced with adult
imaginal cells. The cuticle of the adult
by
butterfly is produced by the same epidermal
the
that made the larval exoskeleton.
cells
legs
of
give
rise to the
The
the larva revert to germative tissue and
There is
structures of the adult
a progressive replacement of
legs.
larval
tissue with adult tissue that originates from the
imaginal discs,
adult
Fig. 15 The
pupa of
the
Cecropia
In
moth.
nature, it is covered and suspended
by
butterfly
eventually gives rise to the
imago (Douglas, 1989).
and
or
silk.
distinguished"(Douglas, 1989).
Though the chrysalis,
may
appear as a
changes are
or pupal stage
resting phase, many
place below the surface.
taking
The larval
structures are
ken down,
and embryonic cells multiply.
is only
of
a matter of
the adult are
systematically bro
It
hours before the features
under
way, and mouthparts,
wing stubs, thoracic muscles and legs are
formed. While this occurs immediately in
pupa
do
that do
not
not undergo
diapause, diapausing
these
changes until
priate environmental conditions
ing
temperature and
development
on"(Douglas,
and
day length)
imaginal discs
(ie. increas
stimulate
are
"turned
Fig. 16 The Cecropia
1986).
Metamorphosis is
the
pupa
appro
carried out
through
selective expression of various genes.
from its
moth
pupal casing.
cocoon was
removed.)
(The
emerging
outer silken
11
Many pupa interact with their environ
by producing creaking, chirping or click
ment
ing
There
sounds.
duce
sound:
by
three ways pupae pro
are
pairs of abdominal
rubbing
together, by thumping the body
its supporting structure (ie. Mourning
segments
against
Cloak pupae)
and
abdomen against
boscis. Dozens
by
rubbing the ventral
the case around the pro
of
lyaenid
riodinid
and
pupae
ming noises by the first method. Several
Bronze Copper species produce both a hum
ming
It is theorized that
sound and a chirp.
the sounds
in
are
response
to
external agita
may be a defense mechanism, or per
way to inform potential mates in the
tion,
and
haps
a
area that
they
are
getting ready to
exoskeleton of
the
butterfly's head
legs,
it
splits
pupa near
to
the
secure
abdomen comes
it to
forth
are
and rhythmi
fully
The
erect.
butterfly
liquid waste,
proceeds
clean
to
its
pulling them through a space on
forelegs, and it also fasten its two halves
antennae
of
wings
expand with each contraction until
excrete meconium, a
the
the
a perch.
cally contracts up and down, pumping
haemolymph into the wing veins. The
they
The
the apex.
first, followed by
emerges
which are used
Next the
gradually
clicking, chirping, creaking and hum
create
cles of the thorax expand,
the
tional
by
proboscis
feeding
together, to
produce a
func
(Douglas, 1989).
tool
The Adult
emerge.
Adult butterflies
and moths
have many
stridulation"
One theory suggests that "pupal
is part of a symbiotic relationship between
traits in common
many lycaenid
abdomen), compound eyes, antennae, three
which milk
species and attendant ants
the caterpillars to
The
sweet secretions.
released
from
segments
glands
may
their
obtain
seventh abdominal
to be
continue
secreted
pupation, and the sounds may serve to
the ants
during
attract
(Douglas, 1989).
under optimal summer conditions.
diapausing
pupae
may
remain
in
But
a suspended
for up to two years when subjected to
harsh environmental conditions. "This delay
state
in development is induced
conditions such as
by
emerge
This
day length, but
ensures
too early
cannot
insects do
that the
during
periods only to be
of harsh
legs
ing
divisions (head,
and a
proboscis,
insects
hard
long
exoskeleton of chitin.
also possess a suction
antennae, and two
scale covered wings
difference between butterflies
butterflies
by
are
and moths
diurnal, have
lack the wing coupling
frenulum,
anatomical
the
majority of
feather-like
moths are
antennae
becomes
transparent as
metamorphosis, so that the
tern
is
visible
it
nears
wing
(Opler, 1992).
be
has
not
imag
the end of
color and pat
(Douglas, 1989).
As the imago inhales
air and the mus
brightly
Fig. 17 The
adult
The
nocturnal, and have
inal discs differentiate to form the structures of
the adult. The pupa gradually darkens in color
and
is
feature,
which most moths possess.
a resumption
progresses as
main
colored wings, possess clubbed antennae, and
(Smart, 1975).
Metamorphosis
pair of
(Opler, 1992). The
temporary favorable
caught out
including
thorax and
environmental
terminated until a pre-determined period
passed.
body
All higher Lepidoptera
that most
Pupation lasts between four to fourteen
days
main
pair of
secretions which are
in the
three
with other
Cecropia
moth.
the
12
Head
The Eve
The
eyes of the adult are composed of
from two to twenty-thousand transparent
facets, the ommatidia. Most insects, butter
flies included, have better vision in the ultravi
olet wavelengths (Opler,
1992; Douglas,
1989). Vision is
obtained as
light
passes
through the corneal lens to a crystalline cone
like structure, to an optical rod, the rabdom.
The individual ommatidium sends out infor
mation about
There
the
light
are pigment cells
crystalline cone that
being
intensity
located
keep
it
receives.
around the
ommatidia
Fig. 19
from
insect
by more than one light
butterfly in turn sees a mosaic
stimulated
source.
The
The
resolution of sight
is determined
by
the number of ommatidia, the development
the optic lobe
because
and
males
of
the
brain,
and
generally have
by
sex.
of
This is
more ommatidia
consequently they possess better vision
for locating a mate (Douglas, 1989).
the
eye
attracted
Furthermore,
ultraviolet color patterns.
butterfly
some
sexually dimorphic when
these wavelengths. Males and
species are
viewed under
females that look
fer considerably
needed
electron micrograph of
Butterflies (and many bee species) "are
to certain flowers based on their
picture, similar to a pixelated computer print
out.
Scanning
light dif
alike under visible
light"
under ultraviolet
(Douglas, 1989).
The
eyes of
butterflies
also
have
looks
tive spots that appear to move as one
it from different
scientists
antenna
Yaki
Kayama developed
for butterflies based
reflective eyespot patterns
labial
compound,
at
In 1963, Japanese
angles.
and
sification system
reflec
palps
a clas
on
(Douglas, 1989).
e
The Antennae
The
antennae of
the
butterfly
of several components: a
up
donut
are made
shaped
proboscis
scape, a wrist-like pedicel and a segmented
flagellum
of
uced
mid
fore
leg
leg
the antennae
nae are
The
the
partly
nudum
is the
of
the Pearl-Bordered Fritillary. apiculus
found in Smart, 1975)
anten
hairs.
the antennae that
not possess scales or
while most skippers
photograph
by
scales and
the terminal club, called
part of
True butterflies have
(adapted from
terminal club
(Douglas, 1989). The
covered
under portion of
does
Fig. 18 The head
forms the
which also
hair (Opler, 1992).
rounded antennal
have
(Opler, 1992).
an
clubs,
extension, the
13
Fig. 20
Scanning
antenna of the
electron micrograph of the
Cecropia
moth.
Fig. 22
Scanning
electron micrograph of
the antenna of the
the
The
Cecropia
detailed sensory
cells) that are
detecting
hormones,
insects
such as
Pheromones,
are an
(sensory
important in
olfactory stimuli,
pheromones.
which are
important
means
may be important in
chemical reception,
which
of
the antennae
pheromone and other
but function primarily in
touch reception and "mechanism
when
object
by
insect
attract and recognize potential mates.
It is believed that the hairs
like
showing
cells of the antenna.
antennae possess sensilla
organs and
moth
distortion,"
bend to touch
the antennae
an
(Douglas, 1989).
The Proboscis
The
proboscis or
feeding
ed on the underside of the
two three-segmented
Fig. 21 SEM
moth at
of
the antenna of the Cecropia
increased
magnification.
labial
palpi
the
(Opler,
long suctioning device used to
up liquids such as flower nectar, juices
1992).
take
It is
tool is locat
head, between
a
from fruits, sap flows,
mud, sand or
dung
or moisture
from
(Opler, 1992). Most
wet
but-
14
terflies rely mainly on sugars found in
femur, tibia,
nectar
for energy (Douglas, 1989). The length of the
proboscis is indicative of the
feeding habits of
for
the species;
long
have
example, nectar eaters
feed
proboscis while those that
on
sap
by
rounded
basic
or
front legs
leg
or prolegs of some
may have
or
smaller than
suc
of some
female
pits and
hairs that
first
lapping tool,
before becoming a
water
as a
extracting tool,
tioning device (Douglas, 1989).
The
functions
proboscis
by
"zippered"
the two
halves, into
or anterior suction cavity.
dilate the
boscis,
"If
to
probe
has
is
butterfly
a
for
sets of muscle
nectar
using its
placed near a
towel, the proboscis
gently tapping
to find the highest
near
sugar that can
will cause the
pro
additional sensors at
probe,
order
legs
the
drop
is
of
its
honey
used as a
the spot of
tip.
is
mixed
towel, the
fine
honey
evenly before spreading it
butterfly
plant
in
on the
one place
without extensive probing"(Douglas,
1989).
Butterflies may spend up to a minute probing
an individual flower for nectar (Douglas,
1989).
for
covered
by
scales and
It is
(Douglas, 1989).
made
up
and abdomen
fine hair
of
the three
metathorax.
Each
thoracic segment
has
the
receptors.
These
foods,
are called triclioid sensilla,
determine
and are used to
sugar composition
and the
suitability of
(Douglas, 1989).
oviposition
The
thorax
houses
plants
including: "a hollow dorsal aorta,
The
leads
that
agus
is
aorta
action
for
muscles and several
hollow
solid ventral nen>e cord, and a
by
interior"
in the
to a crop
in its
assisted
accessory
force haemolymph
pulsatile
also
which
into the heart
to percolate
heart,
pumping
organs,
research
abdominal muscles and
pulsatile organs are all
accessory
a
esoph
abdomen.
periodic
(Douglas, 1989). Recent
shows that the
involved in
haemolymph.
determined that the but
diaphragm is important in
haemolymph distribution throughout the
The
abdominal cavity.
function to
and
segments: pro thorax, mesothorax and
rough
of
earlier, the tarsal segment contains
terfly's
Thorax
(texture,
(egg deposition). As
oviposition
Scientists have
is mostly
prolegs are also used
composition)
the periodic transport of
The thorax, like the head
appro
mentioned
in
withdrawn with
chemical
ness, strength,
concentration of
will remain
identify
female Red Admiral butterflies to rapidly
the surface of the larval plant leaves,
"tubes"
be efficiently
and those
butterflies have
to perhaps test the suitability
of
out overtaxing the physical limits of the pro
boscis. However, if the honey and water solu
tion
by
walk
usually
hindleg
them
The
plants.
are
"drum"
cavity expands,
Stimulation of chemical
which
on a wet
Two
larval
priate
a cibariwn
cibarium and the
producing a vacuum.
receptors in the tarsi of
butterfly
by
pumping
channel formed
fluids through the hollow food
nymphalid
help
example, the
families
prolegs are
the midleg and
sur
This
functional for
reduced and not
(Opler, 1992). The
ing
is
and
pulvillus.
for
structure varies;
greatly
evolved
leg,
the
a pad called
a relatively shorter proboscis (Opler,
1992). Some scientists believe the proboscis
A
segmented tarsus.
tarsal claw terminates each
a
fruit have
five
and
assist
tracheal
ventilation
The thorax
a pair
abdominal muscles
in both heart
contraction
(Douglas, 1989).
contains the
"structures
of
motility"
of
legs
attached, while the wings attach to the
mesothorax and metathorax
(Opler, 1992).
and
legs
of striated
erful.
The Legs
The legs
five distinct
of the
segments:
is full
and wings.
fibers,
Muscle
of muscles
These
muscles are composed
and are small
strength
to operate the
is
but very
directly
pow
proportion
the cross-sectional area, so the larger the
adult are composed of
al to
the coxa, trochanter,
cross-sectional area of the
muscle, the
greater
15
the strength of the muscle, relative to
The
muscle cells receive
flight
percent of
size.
their energy from the
ATP. Over
mitochondria which produce
ty
its
is
muscle
twen
mitochondria
(Douglas, 1989).
Butterflies
pairs of wings, the
wings
body
sealed
branching
and
by
of
scales.
framework
by
haemolymph. The
veins are
of the wings and
is
chitin
of
a strong,
(the
leading
outer edge), and
The
apex
describes the
tip
(Douglas, 1989).
by
forewing
edge).
meet,
area of
the outer and inner
where
the
outer
forewing
the
describes the
while the anal angle
sub-
postbasal.
margin),
of
the
wings are
inner (the inner
the
margins
(Opler, 1992).
meet
The
muscles,
do
wings
but
have any internal
by huge longitudinal
not
are moved
internal
of muscle that attach to
located between
segment.
like levers
They are positioned so that they
during flight. Upstroke is
achieved when the
bases
on the
plates
the second and third thoracic
dorsal-ventral
contract, pushing the
the adult
to which the scales are attached
a tormogen socket
basal,
areas:
(the
bands
transparent
The
discal
the
The
median, median, and postmedian, and
escaping
associated nerves, and circu
flexible supporting layer
exoskeleton
by
important in regulating
between two layers
house tracheae,
yet
They
are of course used
wings are composed of veins,
chitin and covered
lating
/brewings
are also
The
being
described
veins are cells,
cell.
where the outer and costal margins
and the hind-
temperature, courtship,
predation.
the
and moths possess two
(Opler, 1992).
for flight, but
largest
also
margins: costal
The Wings
by
veins.The areas outlined
of the
muscles
down
of the thorax
top
act
wings, and pushing the
sides of the thorax outward,
causing the distal
ends of the wings to move upward.
Downstroke is
achieved when
tral muscles relax and the
cles that run
This
between the
pushes the
longitudinal
segments contract.
top
and
the wings
downward. The dorsal-ventral
the
longitudinal
flight muscles,
down
the
terfly
in
and
hind
veins and cells of the
wing:
forewing
discocellular
(adapted from diagram found in
order to change
Though
flat, they
much
cross-vein; RS=radial sector
are
like
butterfly
slightly
an airfoil.
airborne with
Douglas, 1989)
just
a
"lift"
as the upward
Butterflies
their vein
design
are classified
and
wing
largely by
color pattern.
The
main veins are the casta, subcosta, radius,
media, cubitus and one or more anal
during
flight. It is
incline
its flight
the
of
but
its
path
(Douglas, 1989).
SC=subcosta; R=radius;
M=media; CU=cubitus; A=anal; LDC=lower
indirect
the up and
muscles which allow
to change the angle of
wings
Fig. 23 The
the wings
motion of
direct flight
only
control
fall
muscles and
muscles are termed
and
mus
of the thorax upward, the
forced inward,
pleura are
the dorsal-ven
downward
moves
tern
its
curved
in
during flight,
Most butterflies become
few flaps
of
becomes
greater than
pull of gravity.
wings
during
wings appear quite
The
a slanted
their wings,
the
butterfly
figure
flight (Douglas, 1989).
eight pat
16
As
covered
mentioned earlier, the wings are
by
scales which give
The
unique appearances.
finely
butterflies
their
scales are
usually
may vary in size, shape,
function (Opler, 1992).
ribbed, and
color and even
Androconia for example,
are modified
"sex
scales"
that release the
They
mates.
body
are
pheromones
located
on
the
to attract
legs
of males, as well the wings
and
(Douglas,
1989).
Scales
are
formed
when
the trichogen,
a giant epidermal cell produces a
shaped extension which
to
become
a scale.
It is
membrane of the scale
filled,
in
time
club-
flattens
not until
the
degrades that
grid-like structure of
the scale
out
cell
the
air-
is
Each wing has thousands of torthat overlap like roof shingles,
apparent.
mogens
Fig. 24 Micrograph
Cecropia
of
the scales of the
moth.
Fig. 25 Micrograph
of a closer view of
the scales of the Cecropia moth.
cloaking the wing (Douglas, 1989).
The scales have a variety of functions,
including: they increase the wings capacity
to hold heat, insulate the body, are important
Fig. 26 Micrograph
the
Cecropia moth,
furry
appearance.
of the
long
which create
scales of
the moth's
tarsus
Fig. 27 Profile
(adapted
view of
from
the
Black Swallowtail
photograph
butterfly
found in Smart, 1975)
in temperature regulation,
aid
in generating
thrust
for flight, may
tants,
produce the color patterns of the organ
ism,
and
from
attrac-
produce sexual
butterflies
help
by pulling from their
free the butterfly (Douglas,
may
even
to
is
abdomen
The
1989).
an elongated structure
that tapers at the ends, and
digestive, excretory
houses the majority
body
energy storage struc
(Opler, 1992). There are
eight pregenital segments composed of a
dorsal tergite
rotized
scle-
and a ventral sternite,
with an unsclerotized pleurite on each side
(Douglas, 1989).
segments of the abdomen
Insemination
contain the genitalia.
female using its
inserts its penis into the
claspers, and
female opening, the
bursae. The
sperm
penis
delivers
duc
the
the males
female,
where
it is
bursae
corpus
stored.
opened and sperm swim
The
up
of the
the
ductus
semi-
nalis, and penetrate the micropyle (outer cov
ering)
of the
egg
The
oviduct.
as
it
male of a
sphragis around
the
few
female
mating, which prevents the
ing
down the
passes
during
female from
mat
with other males, thus ensuring that the
eggs are
fertilized
by
his
sperm
silk, and live in groups
seen
commonly
and
Tent
them (ie. the
within
The skip
leaves or
caterpillar).
pers produce a shelter of silk and
hide themselves.
by
camouflaged
larvae
Many
host food
their
are
The
plant.
White Admiral
of the
camouflage
themselves with their own excretions, while
the
later larval instars rely on protective col
for defense. The young instars of
oration
(Papilionidae)
droppings,
while
Some
species of
also present a pair of
foul
odors
from
the osmeteria
threatened.
glands
in
are
bird
brightly
Papilionidae
fearsome
looking
will
false
Swallowtail larvae
eyes when threatened.
emit
resemble
later instars
the
a gland
also
behind the head
which are everted when
Other families may have scent
body. Monarch
other areas of the
butterfly larvae
are poisonous
from consuming
The
the poisonous milk weed plant.
Nymphalidae larvae
(Douglas,
on the other
for attack,
have consequently evolved a variety of protec
tive adaptations. Some larvae spin webs of
called
species secrete a
genitalia
and
insects. The
bodied larvae
are much more at risk
colored.
spermatophore
wasps and other
slow moving, soft
swallowtails
package, the spennatophore, into the
ductus bursae, to the
is
into
atrium, and
butterflies
the eggs of numerous species are
by
early larvae
occurs
when the male grasps the
paired
Yet,
parasitized
grass to
The last two
small eggs of
moths are usually laid on the underside of
leaves, where they have less chance of being
hand
and reproductive
organs, as well as the
tures, the fat
(Smart,
are unpalatable or poisonous
they
noticed.
The
that indicates that
coloration
possessing
and unattractive.
startling
1975).
escape
Abdomen
tus
or
spider webs
pedicels
of
themselves appear
frequently brightly
are
colored and possess an armour
1989).
covering of
"Some gregarious larvae may
Methods
of
All
butterfly
sharp spines.
jerk their bodies in
Self Defense
of the
developmental
are at risk of predation
stages of
by
the
Occasionally
mimic a
other
unison to
a palatable
distasteful
deter
predators.
larva may copy
or
one and avoid predation
way"
insects
and spiders as well as
like birds,
that
reduce
the
Pupae
of predation,
closely resembling their environment,
are
frequently
shape, for example,
evolved protective
risk
(Smart, 1975).
this
reptiles and small mammals.
Butterflies have in turn
methods
by
vertebrates
like
making
much
like
a seed
Many butterfly
the
pod,
protected
Orange
or
by
Tip
by
their
looks
their coloration.
and moth species will
form
a
19
cocoon
from dried leaves to
pupae.
The larvae
place
often
camouflage the
will often search out a safe
for pupation, consequently pupae are
found in inconspicuous places (Smart,
1975).
to
are most vulnerable when
from
fly. As
flight
take
Danger
Wing
survival.
and
dried, they
flowers
hunting
and
Misumena
fre
them as
on
spring
wings
is important in
ored upper surface
but
have
a
adult
"brilliantly
col
are
cryptically colored
below so that when they are folded together at
rest the insect completely harmonizes with its
surroundings"
(Smart, 1975). The
Lycaenidae have
long
its
to escape with
body
(Smart, 1975). The Io has
quickly flashes
to
allowing the
startles potential predators,
The
inform
monarch
would
be
its
Monarch, it
a
bird has
won't
do
attempted
so again.
on milk
to eat a
The
Viceroy
Monarch's
mimicking its colors,
quently avoiding
taste.
are poisonous and
moth takes advantage of the
by
colors
noxious
because the larvae feeds
Once
repu
concerning the
doptera
ics
insect
is
species.
of colonization of new
and
flies)
and
wasps and
predacious
ants)
parasiti-
insect
(Douglas,
for food,
mating
opportunity, competition
dation,
and other natural phenomena.
range of
pre
"The
dispersal is important, because dis
perses are more
likely
to
genes to other colonies,
contribute
hence
their
affect the
species'
course of the
evolution"(Douglas,
1989). Also,
evolutionists
determined that
smaller populations of certain species
C.periphyle)
gene pool.
in
smaller
possess more rare genes
(ie.
in their
This may be particularly important
populations, to be carrying these
extra alleles
"just in
case"
(Douglas, 1989).
Migration
Many butterfly
to
their range of
year.
Yet,
be
species
a random
disperse in
manner, with
distribution varying from
others travel great
distances,
thousands of miles, en masse or
to
individually
While dispersion is fre
on their migration.
quently undirected,
dictable, directed,
year
often
migrations are
and
usually
pre
seasonally determined
(Douglas, 1989).
Migration may be in response to
in day light hours and temperatures,
changes
unknown
population structure of
and other
mites)
Butterfly / moth dispersal is often
affected by weather conditions, feeding and
scarcity
because
still much that
and
1989).
and conse
predation.
Population Structure
There is
(ie.
what appears
butterfly's bright
its
predators
moth
escape.
predators of
Monarch
stages of the
unpalatable
undamaged
a pair of owl-like
at
extra moments to make
tation,
head"
top surface of its wings that it
threatening birds. The trick
the
eyespots on
weed.
"false
the predator to the wings, allowing the
butterfly
All
wings of
eyespots at their edges
which act as a
(tiny flies
arthropods
doids (parasitic
butter
that
spider
wait on plants
coloration
tails
(fungi,
climate, microbial pathogens
flower (Smart, 1975).
Some
population structure
that effect
and viruses), avian predators, parasitic
lie in
will
Factors
they
to avoid many predators.
alight the
attract
(Douglas, 1989).
include:
by fritillaries
quented
the
colony's sudden extinction-often seems more
bacteria
often waits on the
for example,
and
a
have
soon as the wings
flies frequent. The
they
for
or the reason
the pupae, and are still
haemolymph
expanded with
can
habitats,
science"
emerge
unable
suitable
apparently
of ant art than a
Adults
first
yearly increase and decrease in popula
tions, the reason for lack of colonization of
al and
lepi
"The dynam
habitats,
the
season-
of adult
of
food
sources or
"overcrowding
because
in the larval
(Douglas, 1989). The Monarch (Danus
ippus)
and
Painted
occupy large
during
Lady
or
stage"
plex-
(Vanessa cardui)
expanses of the temperate zone
summer, then environmental changes
20
fall brood to
stimulate the
They
in large
migrate
migrate south.
many
butterflies species, like the Dainty Sulfur
other
individuals (Douglas, 1989).
Monarch's over winter in Mexico's
Central Transvolcanic mountain range, and
migrate as
in
remain there
lengthening
pause until
daylight hours
leave their tree
roosts and to
females deposit
food
and
three to ten
become
repro-
a
"leap
Southerly
type manner.
They
ride
and
full
reach
Some Monarchs
they
where
over winter
remain
in
repro-
These butterflies may join
ductively
up with the spring migrants in their journey
active.
A few
other
include: the Gulf
migratory butterflies
Fritillary
which migrates south
breeding
butterfly
colonies, the
in
order to establish
days
feed
undulating
which can
formation
fly
Kricogonia
in huge
castalia which
few feet
an
groups
of the ground, and the
Cloudless Sulfers
above water
fly
in
of millions of
and the noetropical pierid
on their
number of
host
of
species go
many
molts, resulting
in
a
becoming
hormones
main
PTTH
they
plants until
larval instars, before
a
of metamor
JH. When ready to
stage, the larvae spins a
and
ceed to the pupal
which
fly
along Florida's
only
a
pad or girdle which
the new chrysalis.
larval features
it
pro
silk
During
and the adult
those
characteristics
few inches
legs,
a hypopharynx,
insects,
(three
and
pairs of
one pair of antennae, a pair of maxillae,
a
the Insecta.
during
labium
They
and
are
the Triassic
wings)
which
believed to have
period
from the
the
reveal
the
pupal stage
fourteen days,
to
unless
in dia
pause.
exoskeleton of
head,
the
includes
pupa.
a
The basic anatomy
three segmented
body,
thorax and abdomen, two pair of wings,
three pair of
legs (one to
antennae and a
each
body
segment),
proboscis.
suctioning
Butterflies differ from moths in that
terflies are
diurnal,
antennae, and
frenulum,
colored,
and
numerous natural
quently
nocturnal, are
have feather like
the
frenulum.
butterflies
threats,
and
are prone to
have
conse
evolved unique survival mechanisms.
The individuals
warmer or more
winter.
but
lack the wing coupling
while most moths are
brightly
not as
most
colored, have
brightly
are
of some species migrate
hospitable
climates to over
Though many have
cycles and
habits
to
of various
studied the
life
butterflies
and
moths, there are still many unanswered ques
Stonefly.
The four developmental
cycle
itself.
are
lasts from four
clubbed
northern coast.
and moths are
suspend
(ecdysis) to
skin
systematically broken down
features are formed. Pupation
Moths
Butterflies
to
uses
larval
strips the
Summary
life
larval
(unless in dia
of oviposition
antennae and possess
evolve
sexually, and the
reproduce
The larvae
size.
phosis are
of adults
Great SouthernWhite
(Ascia monuste)
cylindrical
(Agraulis vanillae)
individuals,
typify
a gene
When the newly formed butterfly is
ready to emerge, it inhales air, splitting the
(Douglas, 1989).
possess
is
eggs on or near suitable
The two
pupae.
It then
winds northward and orient
Texas,
and
within a
pause)
series of
negative sun orientation and magnetic
compassing.
north
to the
frog"
in
Florida
immature
one stage
The larvae hatch from between
sources.
through a
Researchers do not know just
along
how far the spring migrants reach, but believe
it is their offspring that continue the journey
using
the
which
called metamorphosis, which
dia
the way.
the
is
Butterflies
ductively active. They make the journey
north, depositing eggs on milkweed plants
north,
butterfly
next
by
process
is transformed from
regulated process.
temperatures stimulate the butterflies
warmer
to
a state of reproductive
The
adult.
groups whereas
stages of
include the egg, larva, pupa,
the
and
tions,
and much more research
to be
pursued.
1
About the Artist
The
and
the Art Work
moth
depicting
the stages of the
life cycle,
in
relative proportions
collection of
My biggest
in the thesis
art work exhibited
show consisted of: nine paintings of
Cecropia
working up highlights,
the
life
cycle and
their
scales of the
wing
an
and a
half times it's true size,
interactive Director
life cycle,
anatomy,
project
illustrating
and
The painting I most enjoyed was the life
I enjoyed the freedom I had in
cycle poster.
to create a conclusive piece to tie the others
paintings were completed
utilizing
the technique first learned from Vichai Malikul.
together,
The
originally
includes transparent
media used
opaque palette water color
Bleed Proof White,
and
Strathmore board. I
a
dry
tions) to
(with
Martin's
double-sided
desired
all the
bleed
able.
Because it has
to use
it to layer
lighten
tinted
of
it
intricate features
on
an acrylic
top
areas and add
base, I
of
was able
I
tiny details. I
recommend the
double
Strathmore board for this kind
because it's
color well,
take some abuse
(erasing
that what I couldn't
eraser,
I
exacto
knife.
was
usually
nine
,
life
enough
to
I found
(Egg &
Larval Instar #2, Larval Instar
#3, Larval Instar #4, Larval Instar #5, Pupa,
Emergence, Profile of Cecropia and Cecropia
were
acquired
to whom
based
largely
on photo references
from The Buffalo Museum
I
owe
many thanks. A
of
great
Science,
deal
of
"detailing"
time was spent
the paintings and
on the
computer,
I
that
it
chose
would show
organisms, in a
the
of the
last two
micrographs
moth and
displayed
progressively
At first only the individ
the feather like antenna are pre
of
and
displayed
As
are of the
arrangement of
apparent.
the
(because
the striations
color
up the
colors
largely
they
polaroid
were shot
film.
and
scales
will
due to the way
detract light).
The Micrographs
using type 55
make
for the
is
individual
The proximity
lines that
responsible
wing
the magnification was
the gridlike pattern of the
becomes
sensory
The
the antenna are visible.
the moth.
largely
tiny hairs
closer,
micrographs
increased,
appear
Cecropia
winter
antenna, at
looking
(sensilla)
scales
this
magnifications.
ual segments of
are
spent several months
use
and spent several more months
sent, then
cells
electron micrographs
scanning elec
independent study pro
tron microscope as an
higher
to pick out with an
stage paintings
how to
learning
year
scales of
Larval Instar # 1
Moth )
last
The five scanning
taken here at RIT. I
are of the moth's
it
remove with a secretary's
able
piece so
I had
stages.
nine paintings.
perspectives of the
The first three
of media
mistakes), and
final
do this
of the rel
environment.
sided
it is strong
to
first
the
shooting micrographs
Monarch butterfly.
often
thick enough to resist warping,
normally takes
The
its
ject,
of the watercolor, and
developmental
idea
variety of poses. I feel it also demonstrates the
larvae's natural ability to become camouflaged
were
invalu
with watercolor or applied a color on
it.
different
tex
proof white was
give viewers an
planned
scans of
using
"furry"
stages, the
to
ative sizes of the
by
color.
working-up the
started
and
to paint this
the paints utilizing
laying down several lay
drying time between applica
ture of this moth, and the
top
paints, Dr.
applied
achieve the
As I
to
and
brush technique,
ers of paint
pieces and reworked
creating the layout and poses of the organisms
and background foliage. My primary goal was
the
and migration of the
Monarch butterfly.
All
"finished"
them.
adult, a model of the adult moth at approxi
mately three
with more aggressive
and
returned to
electron micro
graphs of the antenna and the
look
creating that in my paintings. I
believe my ability to do this increased with
each painting. Consequently, I frequently
lighting,
a natural environment, a
five scanning
challenge was
creatures would
a painted poster
deepening shadows.
imagining how the
and
They
were
22
into Adobe
scanned
Photoshop
adjusted contrast and
brightness,
up any imperfections in
were printed out on
where
I
and cleaned
the original.
They
transparent acetate,
mounted
and
inches from their
approximately
backing. This was done to facilitate the
.25
pas
light through the transparency, to
achieve a more three dimensional looking
sage of
image.
""VJ~
v?
-.:
ss
time between
Antennae
applications.
Scales
The
constructed
model of
using
the Cecropia moth was
silk
fabric,
wire coat
hang
ers, masking tape, fabric stiffener, feathers,
liquid starch, watercolor and acrylic paints,
silicon
gel,
pipe cleaners, artificial
gun, and a drift
the
and
ers.
veination of
base. I first
the moth
by
a glue
When the
size of
a mixture of
fabric
soaked
stiffener and
them
painted
them with
areas were
sanded
proof
liquid
These
beneath the
wire
frame
top
of and
work and sculpted
to
shape of
encasing the
the
wing covers
Several more layers of
and
white, in
polyurethane
applied
the
down,
I
painted
the wings with
a combination of watercolors and
the paintings.
starch.
were placed on
adequately
structurally sound, I
acrylic paint. Rough
shaped and
cutting, shaping,
the four wings, and
wings were
constructed
taping together pieces of wire coat hang
Next, I cut pieces of fabric to the approx
imate
in
wood
fur,
Model
much
Several layers
spray
bleed
the same manner as
of
and matte media were
to make the paint water/smudge
moths chitinous
veins.
stiffener and starch were
applied,
with
drying
resistant.
(right
Next the
forewing
forewing and hindwing
right hindwing & left
with
23
forewing
with
with silicon
night.
left hindwing)
gel, and allowed to set
Then the
left
right and
Finally,
were attached
Monarch
over
up
sides were
an animation which
explain the
Wire legs
were
ductive
this time.
The wing
infrastructure
the
at
reinforced with wire and a glue gun.
I
created the
body
of
it
silicon gel, then covered
terfly /
the moth with
with colored pipe
cleaners and artificial
fur to
desired look. Acrylic
and water color paints
to give the
were applied
Beads
coloration.
for the eyes,
painted
for
achieve the
body
were applied and painted
I then
the antennae.
polyurethane coated a piece of
collected, and
Lastly,
stained and
drift
legs. The legs
and secured
using
I'd
wood
drilled holes to insert
extensions of the
into the holes
were cut and
the wire
were
inserted
a glue gun.
fur
painted pipe cleaners and artificial
appeared
legs
to the wire
were applied
so that the moth
interactive
exhibit was a
projector
file
on the
Monarch butterfly. The three
the project are anatomy,
life
I have
of the
cycle and migra
Museum
of
I had
scales which
descriptions
was able
of the various
The
section
body
to access
parts.
devoted to the life
cycle
was comprised of photographs of the various
life stages,
life
with
processes
accompanying
(a larva
videos of
hatching from
larval growth, molting,
the
the egg,
metamorphosis
from
larva to chrysalis, the changing chrysalis,
emergence of
the
mechanism).
The
was utilized
for
butterfly,
video
is
and the
not
feeding
my own,
attachment
the
life
My interest
biology as an
to study
became apparent in my art
Then, last year I had the rare
History at
Institute. During
to pick up the
technique,
I
which
The
his lessons I
fundamentals
practiced
of
for
of
his
the next sev
painting insects for the
Buffalo Museum of Science.
eral months while
interning
access to an extensive
I had
at the museum,
photo-library
the developmental stages of the
moth.
I decided the Cecropia
life cycle,
and
educational purposes only.
subject
and
New York.
which
because
Cecropia
would
Cecropia's
help
to
intricate details
of
plight.
the
the smallest of the
life stages, (the first
larval instar is approximately
inch long), I hope to increase
respect
for
an
because they are native to west
I'd also hoped to spark interest
By illustrating
even
be
of their complex
in this quickly vanishing beauty, and
increase viewers to awareness to the
and
accompanied most photos, and
mouse roll-overs allowed viewers
definitions
Science,
the eye and wing
Labels
strong
Natural
Smithsonian
ern
photographed.
a
often studied
opportunity to study water color painting
butterflies with Vichai Malikul, from the
interesting
and electron micrographs of
felt
have
but
chose
my thesis
Monarch butterfly.
work as well.
The anatomy section illustrated the pri
anatomical
features of the adult butter
mary
fly. It included photographs of the specimens,
courtesy
I
contained a complete series of photographs of
main parts of
the Buffalo Museum of
and repro
undergraduate, and
tion.
of
always
While
Director based
life
moth metamorphosis as
nature compelled me
to be grasping the branch.
The final
to
narration
are several reasons
with nature and
in
and
clip
patterns.
stages of the
more natural
turkey feathers
and
topic.
included
Monarch's migratory
There
attachments were also
devoted to
migration contained a video
attached with silicon gel, and allowed to set.
built into
the section
one
fourth
of an
appreciation and
the these complicated creatures.
Considering
the
dangers
and obstacles
they
face (poisoning by pesticides, parasitization,
predation by birds and small animals, traffic,
loss
of
habitat
and
larval food sources), it is
amazing that any survive to
moths.
Even
more
tinental migration of
Monarch,
which
become
impressive is
the
adult
crosscon-
butterflies like the
may travel from
as
far
as
Canada to
over-winter
in Mexico's Central
Transvolcanic Mountain Range.
I
plexity
am amazed and
and
appear as
beauty
intrigued
day
the com
nature
that
somewhere
work makes a
does
by
life, especially lives
fragile these. I hope
along the way my
and some
of
difference
justice.
Glossary
extend
Abdomen The third
Ductus bursae The tube that
the
and posterior segment of
insect body.
corpus
within segments.
vertically
bursae.
Accessory pulsatile organs Tiny organs that
help pump haemolymph throughout the body.
Ecdysis The shedding
Androconial
Ecdysone A hormone
butterflies
Modified
scales
scales of male
that secrete pheromones to stimu
late females.
head,
pair of
found
on
The
area
leading
region near the
base
the
of
Chitin A
Chorion The
is
which
ovarian
layer
outer
produced
follicular
Chrysalis The
by
of
the eggshell
third segment of the
migratory
leg.
the antenna after
segments of
Haemolymph The blood
cells.
instar
and
of the
but
of the insect.
Epidermal
Imaginal discs
cells which are
undifferentiated and embryonic and allow
Compound
An
eye
eye comprised of numer
Corneal lens The transparent
cuticle of the
allata
brain that
A
secrete
lobes behind
pair of
the
main part of
the bursa
copulatrix.
vein
(costa) The wing
the
anterior margin of
Coxa The
insect.
Immature Eggs, larvae
segment of the
Indirect
changes
hormones.
Corpus bursae The
Costal
adult
or pupae,
but usually
referring to the larvae.
ommatidia.
Corpora
for
metamorphosis to take place.
Imago The
ous ommatidia.
the
diapausing
are
type of wing coupling where
bristles from the top wing fit into areas of the
bottom wing.
terfly.
the
Femur The
for fats, that
storage sacs
Frenulum A
insects.
the secretions of the
metamorphic
from
the scape.
nitrogenous polysaccharide con
stituent of the exoskeleton of
from
the chrysalis.
Flagellum The
wing.
of the caterpillar
and the emergence of the adult
egg
especially large in
butterflies.
ductus
to the
dur
of molting.
hatching
Fat bodies The
above the mouth.
Atrium The opening
bursae.
Basal
organs
sensory
the old cuticle
of
molting.
Eclosion The
the
Antennae A
the
ing
into the
empties
that
vein
butterfly
leg
insect
forms
wing.
closest to
muscles
in
The
muscles that cause
the shape of the thorax and
indi
control the wings.
rectly
Instar The larva between
molts.
Juvenile hormone A hormone
produced
the corpora allata which supports the
characteristics, and
by
juvenile
inhibits the development
of adult characteristics.
body.
Cremaster A
structure
used
by
the pupa to a
Labrum The
silk support pad.
Crochets Hooks
larval
prolegs.
Crop
The
on the plantar surface of the
upper
paired
lip.
lip.
Mandibles The larva's front
pair of
chewing
mouthparts.
area of the
foregut behind the
Meconium The
waste material excreted
by
the adult after emerging.
esophagus.
Discal Cell The large
cell
in the
central area
Dorsal longitudinal
dorsally
Medial
dinally
of the wing.
that extend
Labia The larva's lower
muscles
and
The
muscles
lengthwise between
segments.
Dorsal-ventral muscles The muscles that
vein The wing vein that runs longitu
between the radius and cubitus.
Mesothorax The
second segment of the tho
rax.
Metathorax The third
segment of the thorax.
Micropyle The opening
on
the
top
of the egg.
>6
the wing membrane that carry the tracheae and
where sperm penetrate.
Molting
The
is produced,
and the old one
is
insects
the
unit of
compound eye.
Oviposition The
Pedicel The
process of
egg laying.
the antenna that act
segment of
"wrist"
a
between the
scape and
the fla-
gellum.
Pheromones Chemical hormones
secreted
by
individual insects that may influence the
behavior of other members of the species.
Proboscis The coiled, suctioning
of the adult butterfly.
The
feeding
Prothoracic
glands
that
ecdysone, the molting
produce
Prothorax The first
Pupa The
glands of the
segment of
between larva
stage
Rhabdom The light-sensitive
tube
brain
hormone.
the thorax.
and adult.
Radius Vein The wing vein that
dinally between the subcosta and
longitu
runs
the media.
rod structure of
the ommatidium of the compound eye.
Scales The individual
structures
that
overlap
to cover the chitin of the wing.
Scape The first
segment of
the
antennae
between the head
and pedicel.
Sensilla
cells, which often
larger
Sensory
belong
to
sense organs.
Spermatophore The
sperm
containing
pack
age of the male.
Spiracles The
air openings
to the tracheae.
The wing vein that
Subcosta
tudinally behind the costa vein.
vein
Tarsus The final
Thorax The
femur
segment of
leg
runs
longi
the walking
second segment of
Tibia The fourth
segment
leg.
the body.
between the
and tarsus.
Tracheae The internal
air transport tubes of
insects.
Trochanter The
branches.
membrane
egg that
membrane,
simple eye.
Ommatidium An individual
like
of the
of the antennae.
Ocelli A
nerve
Vitelline
shed.
scaleless portion of the flagel-
Nudum The
lum
by
process
which a new cuticle
segment of
the coxa and the
femur.
Veins The thick
walled
the
leg
supporting
between
tubes of
The internal
originates
and
membrane
from the egg
lies beneath the
cell
chorion.
27
Bibliography
Arnett
Jacques, R. L. Simon &Schuster's Guide
Inc., 1981.
and
Douglas, M. M. The Lives
of
to Insects.
Butterflies. Canada: The
Wiley &Sons., 1989, 20-49,
New York: Simon & Jacques
University
of
Michigan Press
and
John
110-111.
Gilbert, S. Developmental Biology. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, Inc., 1994,729-738.
Mitchell
and
Zim, H. S. Butterflies
and
Moths. New York: Western
Publishing Company,
Inc., 1964.
Opler, P. A. A Field Guide
to Eastern Butterflies.
New York: Houghton Mifflin Company,
1992
Smart, P. The Illustrated Encyclopedia
London. 1975,
18-21, 34-40.
of the
Butterfly
World. Salamander Books Ltd.