DESCRIPTION

Most Lepidoptera have a very well developed, coiled proboscis. Lepidoptera may also be identified by the abundant scaling of their wings. The scales contain pigments that impart attractive colors and patterns to "leps". Butterfllies are distinguished from moths (which includes all other Lepidopteran families) by their clubbed antennae. Moths almost always have filiform or plumose antennae and only very rarely have clubbed antennae. They also lack a frenulum (a stout spine, or series of spines on the anterior margin of the base of the hind wing) which is used to the front and hind wings together in flight.