gossamer-winged butterfly
- gossamer-winged butterfly
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any of a group of small, often brightly coloured butterflies (order Lepidoptera) that includes several hundred species commonly called coppers, blues, hairstreaks, harvesters, and metal marks. All are small to medium-sized butterflies (wingspan 1–3 cm [0.4–1.2 inches]) that are agile and delicate. In males the upper-wing surfaces are usually brightly coloured and iridescent. The underwing patterns of both sexes are spotted or streaked and often have false eye-markings and trailing filaments on the hind wings that serve as decoys for predators. Their food plants include trees, shrubs, and annual legumes. The larvae of some species are carnivorous and may require a diet of aphids or ant larvae. The latter may be devoured while adult ants take secretions from special so-called milk glands on the butterfly larva.
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Universalium.
2010.
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butterfly — butterflylike, adj., adv. /but euhr fluy /, n., pl. butterflies, v., butterflied, butterflying, adj. n. 1. any of numerous diurnal insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and large, broad, often… … Universalium
Butterfly — calesButterflies are characterized by their scale covered wings.The coloration of butterfly wings is created by minute scales. These scales are pigmented with melanins that give them blacks and browns, but blues, greens, reds and iridescence are… … Wikipedia
copper butterfly — ▪ insect any member of a group of butterflies in the gossamer winged butterfly family, Lycaenidae (order Lepidoptera). The copper s typical coloration ranges from orange red to brown, usually with a copper tinge and dark markings. The most… … Universalium
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly — Taxobox name = Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly image width = 250px regnum = Animalia phylum = Arthropoda classis = Insecta ordo = Lepidoptera familia = Lycaenidae subfamilia = Polyommatinae genus = Euphilotes species = Euphilotes pallescens… … Wikipedia
copper (butterfly) — Any member of the butterfly subfamily Lycaeninae (family Lycaenidae). Coppers are common and widely distributed. Adults, sometimes known as gossamer winged butterflies, are delicate, with a wingspan of 0.75–1.5 in. (18–38 mm). They are rapid… … Universalium
blue (butterfly) — Any member of the widely occurring lepidopteran family Lycaenidae. Adults, sometimes known as gossamer winged butterflies, are small and delicate, with a wingspan of 0.75–1.5 in. (18–38 mm). Blues are rapid fliers, and most species have… … Universalium
lepidopteran — /lep i dop teuhr euhn/, adj. 1. lepidopterous. n. 2. a lepidopterous insect. [1850 55; LEPIDOPTER(A) + AN] * * * Any of the more than 100,000 species constituting the order Lepidoptera (Greek: scaly wing ): butterflies, moths, and skippers. The… … Universalium
Insect — For the Breed 77 album, see Insects (album). Insect Temporal range: 396–0 Ma … Wikipedia
hairstreak — /hair streek /, n. any small, dark butterfly of the family Lycaenidae, having hairlike tails on the hind wings. [1810 20; HAIR + STREAK] * * * Any butterfly in the subfamily Theclinae (family Lycaenidae), sometimes known as gossamer winged… … Universalium
Lycaena phlaeas — Small Copper Conservation status Not … Wikipedia
