Butterfly Terminology

Here is a glossary of terms used in butterfly science.

Abdomen This is the last of the three segments (posterior) of a butterfly’s body and
contains the reproductive organs.
Antenna (singular) On a butterfly, these are usually club-shaped appendages that serve as
Antennae (plural) sensory organs. On Skipper butterflies, they are hooked as well.
Caterpillar This is a butterfly’s larval stage or the 2nd stage in the butterfly life-cycle.
Chrysalis (singular) This is the hard case of a pupa or the 3rd stage in the butterfly life-cycle
Chrysalides (plural) where complete metamorphosis takes place.
Compound eyes These are the large eyes of a butterfly and are made up of many
separate visual receptors.
Cremaster This is the end of the butterfly’s abdomen that contains little hooks used
to attach and suspend the caterpillar from a silk pad.
Diapause This is a period of time often termed ‘overwintering’ when a butterfly’s
development has been suspended and can be in any stage
depending upon the butterfly.
Eclose/Eclosion When the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis it is said to eclose.
Egg (Ova) This is the 1st stage in the butterfly life-cycle.
Exuviae The sloughed off natural ‘skin’ of the caterpillar or the leftover chrysalis
*Exo-skeleton after the butterfly has eclosed. Sometimes termed as the exo-skeleton—
Frass This is what the excrement or poop from a larva is called
(Note: if the frass is runny or diarrhea-like, then it is called scree)
Instar There are stages of molting/shedding as a caterpillar outgrows its
exo-skeleton. Butterfly larvae usually go through four to five instars.
Larva (singular) This is the caterpillar or the 2nd stage in the butterfly’s life-cycle.
Larvae (plural)
Mandibles This is the caterpillar’s specialized jaw structure that enables it to eat
leaves.
Meconium This is the waste material produced by a butterfly pupa that is expelled
when the butterfly ecloses. It is often a red colour but is not blood.
Oviposit This is the term to indicate the laying of eggs.
Proboscis This is the straw-like feeding mouthpart of a butterfly that is coiled when
not in use. Butterflies often ingest nectar using their proboscis but can
also ingest minerals from mud puddles or animal feces.
Proleg A fleshy false leg that occurs on the abdominal section of the larva that
is not found on the adult butterfly. Butterfly larva have five pairs.
Spiracles These are tiny holes in the sides of the butterfly’s and caterpillar’s body
that allow oxygen to enter its respiratory system.
Thorax This is the muscular middle segment of a butterfly’s body where the
wings and legs are attached and located.
©2008 The Butterfly Guide
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