Order Lepidoptera
There are over 120,000 species of butterflies and moths in the world. These insects are characterized by typically having 4 wings (which are covered with scales). They have sucking mouthparts (like a straw) and undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Immature stages are typically called caterpillars.
There are over 2,000 described species of butterflies and moths found in Illinois.
Some of my favorites
One of my fondest childhood memories was the first time I observed a buckeye butterfly.
Although I have become a specialist in ants, I still collect butterflies and moths. I find it easiest to collect moths at mercury vapor lamps in the evening.
An alternative approach to collecting butterflies and moths is to use various baits and traps. For example, in the tropics, one can often use rotten pineapple and bananas to attract these insects.
Another approach (with moths) is called sugaring (based on the European wine roping). One takes a mixture of beer, rum, brown sugar and a ripe banana and paints it on trees. The moths are attracted and get drunk on the beer and rum (and can easily be collected). Europeans use pieces of rope soaked in a superstaurated solution of wine and sugar for a similar effect.
