• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

• Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

• Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

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Order Lepidoptera comprises the butterflies and moths, one of the largest and most diverse orders of insects, with more than 180,000 described species worldwide. Members of this order are distinguished by wings covered with microscopic overlapping scales, which produce the remarkable colours and patterns for which they are famous. Lepidopterans occur on every continent except Antarctica and occupy nearly every terrestrial habitat, from tropical rainforests and deserts to alpine meadows and urban gardens. They undergo complete metamorphosis, progressing through four life stages: egg, caterpillar (larva), pupa (chrysalis or cocoon), and adult.