The butterfly belongs to the class insects, phylum arthropods, order Lepidoptera (lat. Lepidoptera).

The Russian name “butterfly” comes from the Old Slavonic word “babъka”, which denoted the concept of “old woman” or “grandmother”. In the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, it was believed that these were the souls of the dead, so people treated them with respect.

Butterfly: description and photo. The structure and appearance of butterflies

The structure of the butterfly has two main sections: the body, protected by a hard chitinous shell, and the wings.

A butterfly is an insect whose body consists of:

  • Head, inactively connected to the chest. The butterfly's head has a round shape with a slightly flattened occipital part. Round or oval convex eyes of a butterfly in the form of hemispheres, occupying most lateral surface of the head, have a complex facet structure. Butterflies have color vision and perceive moving objects better than stationary ones. In many species, additional simple parietal eyes are located behind the antennae. The structure of the oral apparatus depends on the species and can be of the sucking or gnawing type.

  • Breasts with a three-segment structure. The front part is significantly smaller than the middle and back part, where three pairs of legs are located, which have a structure characteristic of insects. On the shins of the butterfly's front legs there are spurs designed to maintain the hygiene of the antennae.
  • The abdomen has the shape of an elongated cylinder, consisting of ten ring-shaped segments with spiracles located on them.

Butterfly structure

The antennae of the butterfly are located on the border of the parietal and frontal parts of the head. They help butterflies navigate their surroundings by sensing air vibrations and various odors.

The length and structure of the antennae depend on the species.

Two pairs of butterfly wings, covered with flat scales of different shapes, have a membranous structure and are penetrated by transverse and longitudinal veins. The size of the hind wings can be the same as the front wings or significantly smaller than them. The pattern of butterfly wings varies from species to species and captivates with its beauty.

In macro photography, the scales on the wings of butterflies are very clearly visible - they can have completely different shapes and color.

Butterfly wings – macro photography

Appearance and the coloring of butterfly wings serve not only for intraspecific sexual recognition, but also act as protective camouflage allowing you to blend in with your surroundings. Therefore, colors can be either monochrome or variegated with a complex pattern.

The size of a butterfly, or better said, the wingspan of a butterfly, can range from 2 mm to 31 cm.

Classification and types of butterflies

The large order of Lepidoptera includes more than 158 thousand representatives. There are several classification systems for butterflies, quite complex and confusing, with constant changes occurring in them. The most successful scheme is considered to be one that divides this detachment into four suborders:

1) Primary toothed moths. These are small butterflies, the wingspan of which ranges from 4 to 15 mm, with a gnawing type mouthparts and antennae that reach a length of up to 75% of the size of the front wings. The family consists of 160 species of butterflies.

Typical representatives are:

  • golden smallwing (lat. Micropteryx calthella);
  • marigold smallwing (lat. Micropteryx calthella).

2) Proboscis butterflies. The wingspan of these insects, covered with dark small scales with cream or black spots, does not exceed 25 mm. Until 1967, they were classified as primary toothed moths, with which this family has much in common.

The most famous butterflies from this suborder:

  • flour fire (lat. Asopia farinalis L.),
  • spruce cone moth (lat. Dioryctrica abieteila).

3) Heterobathmyas, represented by one family Heterobathmiidae.

4) Proboscis butterflies, which make up the largest suborder, consisting of several dozen families, which include more than 150 thousand species of butterflies. Appearance and the sizes of representatives of this suborder are very diverse. Below are several families demonstrating the diversity of proboscis butterflies.

  • Family Sailboats, represented by the average and large butterflies with a wingspan from 50 to 280 mm. The pattern on the wings of butterflies consists of black, red or blue spots various shapes, clearly visible on a white or yellow background. The most famous of them are:
    1. Swallowtail butterfly;
    2. Sailboat "Glory of Bhutan";
    3. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing and others.

Swallowtail butterfly

  • Family Nymphalidae, characteristic feature which is the absence of thickened veins on wide angular wings with variegated colors and various patterns. The wingspan of butterflies varies from 50 to 130 mm. Representatives of this family are:
    1. Butterfly Admiral;
    2. Day peacock butterfly;
    3. Butterfly hives;
    4. Mourning butterfly, etc.

Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)

Day peacock butterfly

Urticaria butterfly (Aglais urticae)

Mourning butterfly

  • , represented by moths with narrow wings, the span of which does not exceed 13 cm and has a characteristic pattern. The abdomen of these insects is thickened and fusiform. The most famous butterflies of this family:
    1. Hawkmoth "death's head";
    2. Hawkmoth oleander;
    3. Poplar hawk moth.

  • Scoop Family, which includes more than 35,000 species of moths. The span of the furry wings, gray with a metallic tint, averages 35 mm. However, in South America There is a species of butterfly called tizania agrippina with a wingspan of 31 cm or the peacock-eye atlas, the size of which resembles a medium-sized bird.

Where do butterflies live in nature?

The distribution area of ​​butterflies around the planet is very wide. It does not include only the icy expanses of Antarctica. Butterflies live everywhere from North America and Greenland to the coast of Australia and the island of Tasmania. Largest quantity species were found in Peru and India. These fluttering insects make their flights not only in flowering valleys, but also high in the mountains.

What do butterflies eat?

The diet of many butterflies consists of pollen and nectar from flowering plants. Many species of butterflies feed on tree sap, overripe and rotting fruit. And the death's head hawk moth is a real gourmet, because it often flies into hives and feasts on the honey they collect.

Some nymphalid butterflies need various microelements and additional moisture. Their sources are excrement, urine and sweat of large animals, wet clay, and human sweat.

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These butterflies include Madagascar comet, whose wingspan is 14-16 cm. The lifespan of this butterfly is 2-3 days.

There are also “vampires” among butterflies. For example, males of some cutworm species maintain their strength thanks to the blood and tear fluid of animals. This is the vampire butterfly (lat. Calyptra).

The structure of the butterfly has two main sections: the body, protected by a hard chitinous shell, and the wings.

A butterfly is an insect whose body consists of:

  • Head, inactively connected to the chest. The butterfly's head has a round shape with a slightly flattened occipital part. The round or oval convex eyes of the butterfly in the form of hemispheres, occupying most of the lateral surface of the head, have a complex facet structure. Butterflies have color vision and perceive moving objects better than stationary ones. In many species, additional simple parietal eyes are located behind the antennae. The structure of the oral apparatus depends on the species and can be of the sucking or gnawing type.
  • The breast of a butterfly has a three-segment structure. The front part is significantly smaller than the middle and back part, where three pairs of legs are located, which have a structure characteristic of insects. On the shins of the butterfly's front legs there are spurs designed to maintain the hygiene of the antennae.
  • The abdomen of a butterfly has the shape of an elongated cylinder, consisting of ten ring-shaped segments with spiracles located on them.


Butterfly structure

The antennae of the butterfly are located on the border of the parietal and frontal parts of the head. They help butterflies navigate their surroundings by sensing air vibrations and various odors. The length and structure of the antennae depend on the species.



Two pairs of butterfly wings, covered with flat scales of different shapes, have a membranous structure and are penetrated by transverse and longitudinal veins. The size of the hind wings can be the same as the front wings or significantly smaller than them.

The pattern of butterfly wings varies from species to species and captivates with its beauty. In macro photography, the scales on the wings of butterflies are very clearly visible - they can have completely different shapes and colors.


Butterfly wings – macro photography

The appearance and color of the butterfly’s wings serve not only for intraspecific sexual recognition, but also act as protective camouflage, allowing it to blend into its surroundings.

Therefore, colors can be either monochrome or variegated with a complex pattern. The size of a butterfly, or better said, the wingspan of a butterfly, can range from 2 mm to 31 cm.


Classification and types of butterflies.

The large order of Lepidoptera includes more than 158 thousand representatives. There are several classification systems for butterflies, quite complex and confusing, with constant changes occurring in them. The most successful scheme is considered to be one that divides this detachment into four suborders:

1) Primary toothed moths. These are small butterflies, the wingspan of which ranges from 4 to 15 mm, with a gnawing type mouthparts and antennae that reach a length of up to 75% of the size of the front wings. The family consists of 160 species of butterflies. Typical representatives are:

  • golden smallwing (lat. Micropteryx calthella);
  • marigold marigold (lat. Micropteryx calthella).


2) Proboscis butterflies. The wingspan of these insects, covered with dark small scales with cream or black spots, does not exceed 25 mm. Until 1967, they were classified as primary toothed moths, with which this family has much in common. The most famous butterflies from this suborder:

  • flour moth - Asopia farinalis L.
  • spruce cone moth – Dioryctrica abieteila.


3) Heterobathmiidae, represented by one family Heterobathmiidae.

4) Proboscis butterflies, which make up the largest suborder, consisting of several dozen families, which include more than 150 thousand species of butterflies.

The appearance and size of representatives of this suborder are very diverse. Below are several families demonstrating the diversity of proboscis butterflies.

Reproduction of butterflies. Stages of the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

Most butterflies have complex forms of courtship during mating season, expressed in flying and dancing. The mating process, during which the female receives from the male, in addition to sperm, a supply of necessary microelements and proteins, sometimes drags on for several hours.


Caterpillar turns into butterfly

Life cycle butterfly consists of 4 phases (stages):

The life of a butterfly begins with an egg. Depending on the species and tribal affiliation the butterfly lays eggs on leaves or branches of plants.

This can be up to 1000 fertilized eggs that are round, cylindrical or egg-shaped. The color of the eggs can be white, greenish, yellow, red, sometimes with a pattern.

This stage of the butterfly’s life lasts between 8-15 days.


Butterfly eggs

At this stage, the insect has a worm-like shape. Mouthparts of gnawing type caterpillars.

A special feature of the caterpillar is the presence of special glands that produce a substance that quickly hardens upon contact with air and forms something like a strong silk thread.

Butterfly caterpillars feed mainly plant foods: fruits, flowers and leaves of plants. However, there are caterpillars whose diet consists of wool, horny substances and even wax.


Caterpillar

Depending on the species, the pupa may have an elongated cylindrical or even round shape. A plain cocoon sometimes has a pattern formed by stripes, dots and spots. At this stage of development, the butterfly already has rudimentary wings, a proboscis and legs.


Depending on the species, the lifespan of a butterfly can range from several hours to 10 months. The adult is already capable of reproduction and dispersal, which are its main functions.


. Every girl wants to be sweet, bright and beautiful. But, and what is required for this?

There are many options for creating an image, so it’s worth thinking through the desired style in detail. It makes sense to discuss this issue with the future owner of the outfit - the daughter will like to work with her mother.

There are two types of butterflies: day and night. First They are distinguished by the rich shades of their wings, and their antennae are decorated with cute balls.Wings of night insects They are distinguished by dark tones and light hairiness. All that remains is to choose the best option.

Option 1

How to make a butterfly costume?You will need a base for the costume. A sports swimsuit or bodysuit, as well as bright tights or leggings, are best suited for this purpose. Wings are created from fabric that is stretched over a wire base, and a hoop with antennae is placed on the head. You can make this accessory from plain paper, rolling it into a thick tube decorated with small balls.

A wide elastic band is attached to the back of the wings, after which they are put on the back like a backpack. To make them brighter, you can draw a pattern or use several pieces of contrasting fabric from which circles of different diameters are cut out.

Special face mask in the form of a butterfly, complements the beauty of the appearance.

Option 2

To make a costume, you can use any body-fitting clothing, but optimal solution will become a sports swimsuit. You can use any accessories for decoration: buttons, rhinestones, shiny elements, ribbons. Lace details will help add charm to your look. It is best to choose lightweight materials that can be easily assembled and turned into a stylish decoration.

Studying how to make a butterfly costume with your own hands, it is important to take care of the manufacture of the wings. Initially, a frame is created, after which a base of a suitable size is cut out of transparent fabric. It is important not to forget about the allowances - 1.5-2 cm around the entire perimeter.

The parts are connected right sides together, carefully stitched, and then turned inside out - thanks to this, the seams will be securely hidden. You can simplify the process by using bias tape or braid. The easiest way is to sew all the elements by hand, without using a machine.

Applications and designs are applied to the fabric. Using tulle or any other light fabric it is easy to make a voluminous, fluffy skirt. Multi-colored materials look great - bright butterfly looks bright and charming.

Cute lace bracelets will help complement your look. You can buy ready-made accessories, or sew them yourself from any fabric of a suitable shade. Tape is also suitable for this purpose.

For the costume, you need tights or leggings, your feet are shod with Czech shoes or ballet shoes, onto which bright details are sewn. The head is decorated with a hoop, and the neck is decorated with a multi-colored necklace.

Option 3

How to make a butterfly costume for a girl?This outfit consists of 3 main parts:

  • Accessories.

Sheer tulle or tulle is suitable for a skirt. The dimensions depend on the parameters of the future owner, but for a magnificent product you will need at least 5 meters - this is about 30 cm long. For sewing you need a wide elastic band, as well as a lining.


The pattern is drawn on a sheet of 1.2 by 0.6 m. The paper is folded in half, the edges are connected by an arc. The radius of the skirt is from 20 to 30 cm. When cutting the fabric, it is important not to forget about the need to leave allowances.

5 circles are cut out, which are sewn together, after which the product is gathered at the waist. The length of the belt is about 75 cm, and the width is 5 cm. It is into it that the elastic band is inserted.

How to make butterfly wings: costume for girls

The wings are made on the basis of a wire frame - its thickness will be about 4 mm, and its length will be at least 6 meters. To avoid cutting fabric parts, it is better to use light white tights. In addition to this you will need:

    Insulation tape

    Spray paint

    Multi-colored ribbons

    Rhinestones or large beads

    Glue gun

Two types of wings are created from a wire frame - upper and lower. The wire is bent to the shape of the wing; a pattern can be made in advance. The ends are carefully trimmed so that it does not cause inconvenience to the little owner of the outfit. It is better to additionally wrap them with electrical tape.


The spray will help you paint the product easily. Using ordinary paints, drawings, dots, circles or chaotic lines are applied. You can sew beads, beads or rhinestones in any order.

The upper and lower parts are connected and then sewn together with electrical tape. The wings are tied with ribbons. Elastic bands or bows are attached to the back, which will help you easily put the wing on your back. To hide the joints, you can decorate them with flowers or any other elements.

How to make antennae for a butterfly costume?

An ordinary hoop is decorated with ribbons, after which two thin wires are attached to it - they will act as antennae. The ends can be decorated with special beads. The hoop is braided with ribbons or fabrics. To decorate the product, the ribbon is twisted around a pencil, after which it turns into a multi-colored tendril with a disheveled end.


Several wire sections are connected to each other. It is best to fasten them with satin ribbons, and then complement the product with artificial flowers.

If you wish, you can buy a suit, complemented by all necessary accessories, in a specialty store. This will greatly simplify the process of preparing for the future matinee.

Option 4

For the wings you need to draw a drawing - you can choose any shape. The finished product is created from any available materials, for example, paper, gauze or fabrics. You can use the help of your daughter - the baby will certainly enjoy decorating her costume on her own. Ribbons or elastic bands will help you put the wings on your back.

If desired, you can use any creation options butterfly costume , using the proposed solutions as a basis. This will allow you to create a unique outfit, the owner of which will be the most beautiful and original at the party.

Why are butterflies so beautiful?

Why are butterflies so beautiful? Why do their wings shine with all the colors of the rainbow? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, both vision and color perception in butterflies are quite weak. Therefore, in order to be recognized by their relatives, they must have as bright a color as possible.
Secondly, predators are afraid of brightly colored insects: brightly colored butterflies can turn out to be poisonous or simply taste disgusting. Therefore, this coloring is safer.
Thirdly, it is known that in many species of animals, during mating games, males display a multi-colored outfit. Birds even deliberately adopt poses in which bright areas of their plumage are exposed. And people still have the custom of dressing up in beautiful clothes for their wedding. But butterflies emerge from their chrysalis only for a “wedding”: they have one goal - to find a “groom” or “bride” and leave offspring. This means that butterflies simply cannot help but be attractive! But what does this beauty consist of, how is it structured?

Hearing, smelling, touching

Perceptual organs of butterflies

The body of a butterfly, like other insects, is clearly divided into head, chest and abdomen. On the sides of the head there is a pair of huge convex hemispherical eyes. U various types Butterflies' eye color varies from white and yellow to orange, red and even dark brown.
Butterflies distinguish moving objects better than stationary ones, see close objects quite clearly and perceive the silhouettes of distant ones. They begin to distinguish colors from three to four meters away. Butterflies are blind to the color red, but they detect ultraviolet light, not visible to humans part of the spectrum. The pattern of the wings of many butterflies in ultraviolet light is noticeably different from the pattern in the colors we see. Thus, females of the American swallowtail Papilio glaucus, to the human eye, are found in two colors: yellow and dark brown or black. But in reflected ultraviolet rays they are very similar to each other, which makes it easier for the male to find the female.
Entomologists have no consensus regarding the visual acuity of butterflies. Sometimes their vision is simply assessed as “weak.” According to the observations of the authors, males of Charlton's Apollo (Parnassius charlto-nius) turn towards a swaying white net from 10-20 m, and males of the Guyanese morphid Adonis (Morphoadonis) hovering in the treetops descend towards a flying menelaus (Morpho menelaus) from a distance of 10-15 m .


The eyes of a butterfly consist of many ocelli, each of which forms a hexagonal cell - a facet. Hence the name of these compound eyes - compound eyes. The number of facets on the surface of the eye reaches many hundreds and even thousands. Therefore, the butterfly sees its surroundings as a mosaic made of tiny hexagonal pieces.

On the parietal part of the butterfly's head there is a pair of antennae (antennae). The shape of the antennae is varied. They can be club-shaped, filamentous, feathery, bristle-shaped, sawtoothed, etc. Usually, male moths have more developed antennae than females.
A butterfly cannot live without antennae. They perceive various signals from environment. Especially important are chemical signals (smells) that allow you to find a butterfly of the opposite sex and food. U day butterflies chemical receptors are concentrated mainly in recesses on the thickened tips of the antennae. With its antennae, the butterfly also perceives vibration and air vibrations, receiving information about danger. With their help, she maintains balance in flight. The antennas also “work” as a radar device, allowing you to avoid various obstacles in flight and flutter freely even in dense thickets. It has been experimentally established that without antennae, a butterfly actually “goes blind”: it flies into all objects, turning its wings into rags. Some moths have developed the ability to detect ultrasound emitted by bats, and change the direction of flight in response to the “radar pulses” of their enemies.

Below the antennae there is a pair of three-segmented labial palps, densely covered with scales. Their role has not yet been fully clarified. It is believed that they contain taste organs and that the butterfly sometimes rubs its eyes with them. And an entomologist from the Indian state of Sikkim, M. Haribal, observed how Danaidae cleaned their front legs with them.

Protrudes between the palpi long proboscis- insect mouthparts. It is formed by highly modified and elongated lower jaws and is adapted for sucking nectar from flowers. Therefore, the butterfly is able to feed only on liquid food - nectar, tree sap and overripe fruits, etc. IN hot days you can watch butterflies gathering near puddles on gentle banks streams and rivers, sipping moisture from the wet sand with obvious pleasure. At rest, the proboscis is curled into a spiral. It unfolds when the insect sucks food or water. Proboscis of butterflies different types They differ in shape and length. In some tropical hawk moths (Sphingidae) their length exceeds 25 cm.

With a webbed, short and soft neck, the head is attached to the chest, which consists of three segments motionlessly connected to each other. The connection points are not noticeable. Each of the segments bears a pair of jointed legs (and the middle and rear segments also have two wings). The forelegs of male nymphalids, satyrs and pigeons are underdeveloped; in females they are more developed, but when walking they are also not used and are always pressed to the chest.

In swallowtails (Fapilionidae) and fatheads (Hesperiidae), all legs are normally developed, and the tibiae of their front legs are equipped with lobe-like structures, which are believed to be used for cleaning the eyes and antennae. The legs are mainly used to secure the certain place and only then - for movement. With the help of claws and pads on the last segments of the legs, the butterfly is held even on a very smooth surface. Some butterflies have taste buds on their legs: before such a butterfly touches the sweet solution with its limb, it does not open its proboscis and does not start eating.

The abdomen of butterflies is cylindrical, elongated, covered with scales, often with a pattern in harmony with the pattern on the wings. The organs of digestion and reproduction are located here. The cone-shaped abdomen of the male is thinner than that of the female, and sometimes flattened laterally. In the female it is spindle-shaped. The abdomen consists of 10 segments, but in the male 8 are fully developed, and in the female 7 segments: 2 modified segments in the male and 3 in the female form the external components of the reproductive organs - the genitals.

Since the structure of the mating organs, especially their hard parts, specific for each species, they often make it possible to reliably distinguish similar butterflies, for example, species of Apollo, blueberries, etc.

The reproductive organs of the male and female of the same species, due to their complete mutual correspondence, form unified system according to the “lock and key” principle. This usually prevents the mating of different, even very close, species, although the emergence of hybrids that are not fully capable of producing offspring is still not excluded.

Butterflies breathe using breathing tubes - tracheas, through which oxygen enters and is removed. carbon dioxide. On the surface of the body, the trachea opens outwards with spiracles. Circulatory system Butterflies, unlike vertebrates, are not closed. Blood fills the body cavity and the spaces between organs, washing them. Only part of the blood is located in a special circulatory organ - the spinal vessel - a muscular tube suspended from the dorsal wall of the body. The posterior section of the spinal vessel is the heart, consisting of several pulsating chambers; its anterior section is the aorta. Each chamber has a pair of side openings (stomata, or ostia), equipped with suction valves. When the heart pulsates, blood through these holes from the body cavity is absorbed into the heart and driven along the aorta to the head, where it flows into the body cavity from the aorta.
The central nervous system of a butterfly, connected by peripheral nerves nervous system with all sense organs, consists of the brain and several pairs of nerve centers represented in each segment. This system controls all movements of the butterfly, except for such involuntary functions as blood circulation, digestion, and breathing. Researchers believe that these functions are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. With four segmented legs, the Nepalese blueberry firmly holds onto the leaf.



Remember the cartoon about Komarov, the one who sang the song “The boy has panties, the cockroach has antennae...”? We'll talk about them, about the mustache. In this part we will look at the classification of antennae, and a little later I will reveal the secret of some behavioral aspects associated with insect antennae.


What are antennae?


The antennae of insects are also called antennae or antennae. And these are modified limbs that have acquired the ability to feel. In total, insects have a pair of antennae. This is an organ of multifunctional analysis, responsible for the sense of smell and touch.

On a spring or summer walk, it would be good to take a magnifying glass and a drawing with you and try to examine and identify the types of antennae of different insects. You can do it even simpler - first take a photograph of the insects, and then enlarge the photo on the screen, then the antennae will be visible even better. But studying with a magnifying glass, making sketches in a travel notebook, is much more interesting. Of course, you haven’t forgotten that for an exploratory walk we need one like this? This is such a fun, exploratory hunt! Of course, we don’t forget about safety precautions; we explain to the baby that there is no need to grab insects with your hands. It’s better to take a large magnifying glass with a long handle.


The antennae consist of segments, which can conventionally be considered tightly fitting beads. Antennas consist of three parts. The first part is the main segment - the scape, or the handle. With the help of the main segment, the antenna is deepened in the antennal fossa on the forehead between the eyes. Motor muscles are attached to the scape (handle), causing the antennae to move.

The second part consists of a large segment of the peddicellum, or stalk. Adjacent to the stalk is the third component of the antenna - the flagellum, or flagellum. The flagellum consists of many smaller segments.

Basically, the antennae are the organ of smell. Smell is one of the leading languages ​​of communication in the insect world, so it is not surprising that one bee antenna contains more than 30,000 receptors involved in the sense of smell.


The sense of smell plays a leading role in the communication of social insects such as ants. If an ant is marked with the smell of a dead ant, then its fellows will treat it as if it were inanimate, and will begin to take it out of the anthill onto a garbage heap, despite the motor protest and waving limbs of the living ant, despite its ability to move independently.

The worse the vision of an insect is, the longer and more magnificent its antennae. In moths this tendency is most pronounced in the form of feathery antennae. Such luxurious whiskers allow you to smell a female at a distance of 2 kilometers! Mosquitoes also have feathery antennae.


Types of insect antennae


Antennae are a systematic feature, that is, their shape is taken into account when determining the type of insect. The filamentous tendril is the simplest model; along its entire length they are thin and of the same width, usually cylindrical in shape, although they can widen at the base.

Worn threadlike antennae locusts, moth butterflies. Modified under the influence of the environment, the filamentous antennae turned into other types of antennas, increasing the success of survival among insects.

Interestingly, even within a species there can be differences in the structure of the antennae between females and males. Typically, males will have more gorgeous breasts. For example, in the meadow moth(Loxostege sticticalis L.) The male's antennae are serrated, while the female's are filamentous.

If a female and a male differ from each other in appearance (morphology), then this phenomenon is called sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism is very pronounced in chicken birds, and in humans.

It is by their antennae that you can easily distinguish a grasshopper from a locust. In grasshoppers, the antennae are always longer than the body, and their type will not be filamentous, but bristle-shaped. The beaded members will be wide at the base and more pointed at the apex. Therefore, sometimes this type of antenna is called awl-shaped.

Actually, the cockroach of K.I. Chukovsky is the owner of bristle-like antennae.

If the antennas consist of parts resembling tightly spaced round beads (rosaries), then this beaded antennae. The owner of such antennae was the Flea Bug from V. Bianchi’s fairy tale about the Ant, who was in a hurry to go home.
Many small insects have beaded antennae - midges, gall midges, but there are also quite a few large insects with clear-shaped antennae, for example, T-shirt blister beetles.

The beaded antennae of the common blueberry Meloe proscarabaeus


Beaded antennae are characteristic of labiopods, although they belong to the type of tracheal breathers, like insects, but centipedes represent a separate branch.

The leptura beetle will have antennae serrated or serrated. Their beaded members will be triangular in shape, with the sharp part directed in one direction, like the teeth of a saw.
Found in woodcutter beetles scaly type of antennae.

If the teeth are strongly elongated, then such a tendril is classified as comb-shaped (comb-shaped) type, that is, the antennae looks like a comb, a comb. The day hawk moth will have comb-type antennae.

Club-shaped antennae are characteristic of diurnal butterflies; even the name of their group reflects this feature - club-bearded lepidoptera. It’s like two gymnastic clubs adorn the heads of many of our butterflies - the swallowtail, the white butterfly, the urticaria.

There are also mustaches cranked, bend between the stalk and the flagellum (in the general picture, the signatures of the antennal parts are located on it), such antennas are characteristic of ants and bumblebees.

A kind of cranked variety will be lamellar antennae of bronze beetles, rhinoceros beetles, ladybugs, Kuzek beetles, Khrushchev. These antennae remind me of Brezhnev’s luxurious eyebrows))) Such beetles are united by the tribe lamellar.

The last type of antennae that we will consider today is the bristlecone. These are shortened antennae, part of the flagellum is modified into bristles. Characteristic of short-whiskered dipterans, or, more simply, of flies.

To be continued....