Danaus plexippus - monarch butterfly - larva on milkweed Urbana, Illinois, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths)

is one of the greatest lineages of insects, holding hundreds of thousands of species. Larvae are the planet's predominant herbivores. Adult Lepidopterans can be uniquely recognized by their two pairs of scale-covered wings.

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Danaus plexippus, Monarch butterfly

Clinton Lake, Illinois, USA

An egg of the question mark butterfly Polygonia interrogationis.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Papilio polyxenes - eastern black swallowtail - larva

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Danaus plexippus - monarch butterfly - larva on milkweed

Urbana, Illinois, USA

A close-up view of a Caligo memnon owl butterfly hindwing reveals the scales that create this tropical insect's distinct eyespots.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, Cayo District, Belize

A Formica francoeuri field ant worker tending to the larva of a Great Copper butterfly (Lycaena xanthoides). The caterpillar produces secretions attractive to ants, and in turn the ants protect the caterpillar from predators and parasites.

San Diego Co., California, USA

Larva of the great copper Lycaena xanthoides.

San Diego Co., California, USA

Hyalophora cecropia, close-up of hind wing.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Danaus plexippus - monarch butterfly - larva on milkweed

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Canon EOS 7D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3400x5008 |

Current: 408x600 |

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Keywords: milkweed asclepias metamorphosis monarch caterpillar nymphalidae

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Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths)

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