Butterfly

A Butterfly is the common name for insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera.

File:Fesoj - Papilio machaon (by).jpg

Papilio machaon

Generally, a distinction is made between diurnal butterflies and nocturnal butterflies or moths; the former, active during the day, constitute the group of Rhopalocera: they have club-shaped antennae, that is, ending with a dilated and rounded portion, often showy colors, and wings that can be closed in a resting position; the latter, active during twilight and nighttime hours, constitute the group of Heterocera: they have filiform or pectinate (comb-like) antennae, colors that are generally less showy than diurnal butterflies, and wings that remain open and extended even in a resting position.

Scientific classification: Butterflies constitute the order Lepidoptera of the class Insects, phylum Arthropoda.