Glossary of Terms
Glossary of entomological terms: imago, metamorphosis, diapause, aposematism, and 25+ concepts from the world of butterflies with examples and explanations.
The glossary explains entomological terms used in atlas articles: from basic ones (imago, pupa, metamorphosis) to specialized (aposematism, diapause, holometabolism). Each entry is a brief, precise definition with examples from the world of butterflies, without academic overload.
How the glossary is organized
Terms are grouped on separate pages rather than in one list — this makes them easier to find via search and to link from other articles. If you encounter an unfamiliar word in a text, use site search or find the term you need in the list below.
Antenna
Butterfly antennae are paired sensory organs on the head. With them, a butterfly detects odors, pheromones, and vibrations. Antenna shape is a key trait for species identification.
Aposematism
Aposematism is warning coloration in toxic or unpalatable butterflies. Bright colors signal danger to predators and protect the species from being eaten.
Biotope
A biotope is a uniform habitat patch with specific conditions, inhabited by a characteristic community of organisms. Each butterfly species prefers a particular biotope.
Caterpillar
The caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly. Its main task is to eat and grow. About 99% of all energy for the subsequent transformation is accumulated in the caterpillar stage.
Chitin
Chitin is the main structural polymer of insect integument. The hard external skeleton of butterflies, wing scales, and caterpillar armor are made of chitin.
Chrysalis
A chrysalis is a butterfly pupa with a hard chitinous case, often with a golden or silvery sheen. Inside, the organism is completely rebuilt.
Diapause
Diapause is a state of physiological rest in insects that allows them to survive an unfavorable season. In butterflies, diapause can occur at any developmental stage.
Dimorphism
Dimorphism is the existence of two distinct forms within one species. Sexual dimorphism in butterflies: male and female of the same species can differ sharply in coloration.
Eclosion
Eclosion is the emergence of an adult butterfly from the pupa. One of the most vulnerable and striking moments in the life cycle of lepidopterans.
Endemic
An endemic is a species that lives only in a specific geographic region and nowhere else in the world. Islands and mountains are the main centers of butterfly endemism.
Holometabolism
Holometabolism is a type of insect development with complete metamorphosis: egg → larva → pupa → imago. All butterflies develop by this type.
Host plant
A host plant is a plant whose leaves a caterpillar of a given butterfly species feeds on. Most species are strictly specialized on 1–3 host plants.
Imago
Imago is the adult, sexually mature stage of an insect with fully formed wings. The final phase of complete metamorphosis.
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is the order of scale-winged insects, including butterflies and moths. The name means “scale-winged”: wings are covered with microscopic scales.
Melanism
Melanism is excess accumulation of dark pigment melanin, leading to darkened coloration. Industrial melanism in the peppered moth is a classic example of evolution in action.
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis is complete transformation of an insect passing through four developmental stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult (imago).
Migration
Butterfly migration is seasonal movement over long distances. The record holder is the monarch, flying up to 4,500 km. In Russia the red admiral and painted lady migrate.
Mimicry
Mimicry in butterflies is resemblance to other species, objects, or background for protection from predators or hunting. Batesian and Müllerian mimicry with examples.
Monophage
A monophage is a species whose caterpillars feed on only one species or genus of plants. Monophagy makes a butterfly vulnerable when its host plant disappears.
Nectar
Nectar is the sweet secretion of flowers, the main energy source for adult butterflies. Butterflies drink it through the proboscis and carry pollen at the same time.
Oviposition
Oviposition is egg-laying by a female butterfly. The female carefully chooses a suitable host plant, tapping leaves with her legs and laying eggs on the underside.
Pheromones
Butterfly pheromones are chemical signals for attracting mates, marking territory, and communication. Males and females release different pheromones.
Pollination
Pollination is transfer of pollen from anther to stigma. Butterflies are important pollinators: they move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar.
Polyphagy
Polyphagy is the ability to feed on a wide range of plants. Polyphagous caterpillars are less vulnerable when one host plant species is lost than monophages.
Proboscis
The proboscis is the mouthpart of an adult butterfly, shaped as a flexible tube for sucking nectar and other liquids. At rest it is coiled in a spiral.
Puddling
Puddling in butterflies is behavior where insects gather on damp soil, puddles, or droppings to obtain mineral salts and amino acids.
Pupa
The pupa is the third stage of complete metamorphosis, when the caterpillar transforms into an adult butterfly. Outwardly immobile, inside — complete rebuilding.
Range
Range is the geographic area within which a given butterfly species lives. Ranges may be continuous, fragmented, expanding, or shrinking.