Butterflies and Moths

Lepidoptera includes all butterflies and moths. They have four wings covered in overlapping scales that create their unique colours and patterns. These scales easily come off as dust when touched. Adults have a coiled tube-like mouthpart for feeding on nectar and other liquids. However, some species have smaller mouthparts and do not feed at all. The wings usually show symmetrical patterns, which often look quite different on the upper and lower sides. They can be found in almost every land habitat across the UK, including gardens, woodlands, moorlands, and coastal areas. The larvae are caterpillars with mouthparts for chewing, while adults feed only on liquids. The life cycle includes a complete transformation, with a pupal stage inside a chrysalis or cocoon. There are over 2,500 species recorded in Britain, ranging from tiny moths that live inside leaves to large hawkmoths and showy butterflies.