LEPIDOP'TERA. (Gr. scaly-winged), an order of insects, undergoing complete meta morphosis, having the mouth in their perfect state exclusively adapted for sucking, and further characterized by four membraneous wings covered with minute. closely set scales. The order contains a vast number of species, abounding chiefly in warm climates; but the British species alone are about 2,000. The lepidoptera are very natu rally divided into three great sections—diurna, crepuscularia, and nocturna, so named because almost all those of the first section are to be seen on wing only during the day, those of the second more generally (luring the twilight, whilst those of the third are more nocturnal; their popular designations respectively being BUTTERFLIES, HAWK-MOTHS, and MOTHS. See these heads. Among the lepidoptera are included many of the largest mid most beautiful of insects, with colors as exquisitely varied as they are brilliant; there are also many—particularly among the moths—of small size and sober line, but not one of them can be denied the praise of beauty. The difference between the lary
and the perfect insects in food, structure, and habits, is very wonderful. The larva' are described in the article CATERPILLAR. the in CHRYSALIS. The perfect insect feeds only on the nectarious juices of plants. The principal organs of the mouth are the weit.riNe, the mandibles and labrum being reduced to mere rudiments; and the maxilla appear in the form of two long slender filaments, which combine to form a proboscis or trunk, spirally rolled up when not in use. This trunk is capable of great variety of movement, and is of extremely delicate structure.—The settles of the wings are of very various fornis. but with a general similarity. Some of them are figured in the article IlcrrtnuoLy. The wings are generally large, and are not folded when at rest. The three segments of the thorax are much united. The abdomen has neither sting nor ovipositor. None of the lepidoptera form societies, although great numbers are often found together. SILK is the product of some of them.