Butterflies

Butterflies, insects of the order Lepidoptera, are characterized by two pairs of wings covered with the smallest scales ("dust" on the wings). The mouthparts are typically sucking; they consist of a long proboscis. Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis: from the egg hatches a worm-like caterpillar with chewing mandibles; the caterpillar pupates; from the pupa emerges the butterfly. Butterflies have important significance for humans. Many caterpillars are enemies of forests, gardens, vegetable gardens, and fields; some species harm warehouses of flour and grain [grain moth - Tinea granella, meal moth - Asopia farinalis (see); also see Warehouse pests]; caterpillars of the carpet moth (Tinea tapetiella) and the clothes moth (Tineola biselliella) damage clothing, woolen fabric, furs, and the like. Caterpillars of some species of butterflies (oak processionary moth - Cnethocampa processionea, goldtail - Euproctis chrysorrhoea and others) have very brittle poisonous hairs; when they pierce the skin, they cause a severe dermatitis of a specific form; when inhaled by humans, they can lead to inflammation of the respiratory tract. When the hairs get into the conjunctiva of the eye, either a bilateral acute conjunctivitis or a unilateral conjunctivitis with the formation of nodules develops (if the caterpillar touches the eye or the poisonous hairs are brought by hands or by other means). Such caterpillars are called "stinging". The useful butterflies include the mulberry silkworm, which has been bred since ancient times (see), the caterpillar of which gives silk spider threads, and the oak silkworm, bred for the same purpose in China.

The useful butterflies include the mulberry silkworm, which has been bred since ancient times (see), the caterpillar of which gives silk spider threads, and the oak silkworm, bred for the same purpose in China.