7 Stunning North American Lepidoptera Few people would dispute the opinion that the Order of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) contains some of the most incredibly beautiful invertebrates in the world. They are also among the most widespread of all insects. Various species live throughout virtually all temperate and tropical portions of the Earth. It remains […]
Queen Alexandra Birdwing
The Queen Alexandra Birdwing is not only one of the rarest species of butterfly living on earth, it also ranks as the largest known. Long live the Queen. The animal is under legal protection since 1966 making it one of the first Lepidoptera to be so protected. In fact, they are one of only three […]
Clouded Sulphur Butterfly
The Clouded Sulphur Butterfly looks like a little bundle of yellow cotton, doesn’t it? But they also have a dark secret. This little Beauty also seems to be a bit of a Beast. You see, this species actually displays the extremely unusual trait of cannibalism among the freshly hatched larvae. This delicately beautiful little creature […]
Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly
Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly Facts The Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly represents a highly endangered species of insect. It originally evolved as endemic to a very restricted region comprising four states in the United States. These consisted of Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, and Indiana. The beautiful Lepidoptera also remains one of the rarest known butterflies on the planet. Only […]
Plume Moth
Plume Moth Facts Plume Moth serves as the collective name for any of the approximately 1,000 Lepidoptera species within a uniquely evolved Family. Its common name derives from the extremely deep cleft divisions in its wings. We also think the white ones look like little ghosts but that’s material for another story. Typically, these insects […]
Question Mark Butterfly
Question Mark Butterfly Facts Importantly, the Question Mark Butterfly remains one of the lesser-known Lepidoptera in its endemic range. Yet its distinct characteristics make it easily recognizable. It also ranks as one of the largest butterfly species within their range. That endemic range covers a large portion of North America, and individuals often travel extensively […]
Cabbage White Butterfly
Cabbage White Butterfly Facts Just look at the rather delicate, lacy wings of the Cabbage White Butterfly. These little beauties also often bear the name of flying balls of cotton. This butterfly is a small species of Lepidoptera in the family Pieridae. Due to its voracious appetite, the caterpillar form of this insect is considered […]
Dakota Skipper
Dakota Skipper Facts The adorable little Dakota Skipper remains a rather small species of butterfly that once inhabited a wide swathe of North America. In a rather large portion of its remaining endemic range, the lovely little Lepidoptera enjoys protection under the Endangered Species Act. Despite its rather small size, this surprising beauty remains a […]
Karner Blue Butterfly
Karner Blue Butterfly Facts The Karner Blue Butterfly remains a highly endangered species of Lepidoptera which was originally endemic to specific regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The butterfly is also now most likely extinct in Canada, and only relatively small populations of this insect perhaps exist in other portions of its original range. The Necedah National Wildlife […]
Ornithoptera Chimaera
The Ornithoptera Chimaera is an insect that has no common name. This beautiful butterfly lists as a member of the birdwing family and was first identified in 1906. The discovery was made by the renowned Walter Rothschild (who, ironically, was a zoologist). The IUCN has only listed this Lepidoptera as Near Threatened due to insufficient information […]
