Butterflies and moths constitute the order Lepidoptera.
It is usually easy to distinguish between butterflies and moths.
Almost all butterflies are active exclusively during the day while the
majority of moths are active only at night. Another distinguishing
characteristic is the shape of their antennas. Butterflies have a club or
knob at the end of their antennas while almost all moths do not.
Each butterfly goes through four distinct stages in its
life: egg, catepillar, pupa (chrysalis), and adult. The change from
catepillar to pupa to adult involves major changes in appearance.
This process is called metamorphosis.
In Florida, there are six families of butterflies.
Swallowtails
(Black Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail)
Whites &
Yellows (Dainty Sulphur, Orange-barred Sulphur, Great Southern White)
Metalmarks
Brushfoots (Gulf Fritillary, Phaon Crescent, Zebra)
Brushfoots - Anglewings &
Tortoiseshells (American Lady, Hackberry Emperor, White
Peacock, Viceroy)
Brushfoots - Milkweed
Butterflies (Monarch, Queen, Soldier)
Gossamer-wings (Ceraunus Blue, Gray Hairstreak)
Skippers
(Long-tailed, Mangrove, Common Checkered-Skipper, Tropical
Checkered-Skipper)
