Nearly all external surfaces of the adult are covered with scales, which may be broad and flat or long and hairlike.
adult lepidopterans have three distinct body segments, or tagmata—the head, the thorax, and the abdomen—each with special functions. The head bears the main sensory organs and those of feeding and ingestion. The thorax is chiefly concerned with locomotion. The abdomen contains the main organs of digestion, excretion, and reproduction and bears the external accessory reproductive structures.
Caterpillar mouthparts basically consist of an anterior flap (labrum), a pair of chewing jaws (mandibles), a pair of complex first maxillae, and a pair of similar second maxillae joined together behind the mouth to form a structure called the labium. Each of the first and second maxillae bears a jointed sensory appendage, or palpus. All these structures function together for chewing and manipulating solid foods.
In the vast majority of adults the mandibles are either vestigial and nonfunctional or entirely absent. Parts of the first maxillae, however, are elongated to form the two halves of a tubular proboscis (haustellum) through which liquids may be sucked. The segmented palpi of the first and second maxillae are present and function as sensory organs. Not all adults have all these parts fully formed and functional. In numerous families the proboscis has become considerably reduced and even vestigial, resulting in adults that cannot feed. In advanced moths and in skippers and butterflies, the maxillary palpi are vestigial or lost, so that only the labial palpi remain functional.
The thorax consists of three segments, the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax, each derived from a primitive segment. The prothorax bears the first pair of legs and a pair of respiratory openings (spiracles). The much larger mesothorax bears the second pair of legs, a second pair of spiracles, and the pair of forewings. The metathorax bears the third pair of legs and the pair of hind wings. In many moths the metathorax bears a pair of complex auditory organs (tympana). In some species these organs serve as receptors of the high-frequency echolocation signals emitted by hunting bats, allowing the moths to initiate escape maneuvers. In other species the auditory organs are receptors of mate location calls. Sound signals are produced in some species by timbal organs and in others by a mechanical clicking of the wing base.
The wings begin development in the maturing larva as invaginations of the epidermis. As the pupa is formed, these fold out (evaginate) to lie externally and become large and flat. Within them, branching tubes (tracheae) carry an air supply and also mark the pathways along which will develop the tubular “veins” that support the fully formed wings. When the adult emerges from the pupa, the wings expand to full size. On the wing the scales lie in overlapping rows, like shingles. The usual scale is a flattened, rigid, air-filled sac attached by a peglike base. It is usually ribbed longitudinally and toothed terminally. Many males have special glandular scent scales (androconia) scattered or concentrated in patches (brands or stigmata) on the wings, sometimes forming expansible, hairlike tufts. These have a scent-distributing function that is essential in specialized courtship.
The forewings and hind wings on each side are coupled together in various ways. In primitive moths a fingerlike lobe on the forewing overlaps the base of the hind wing. In most moths a strong bristle or cluster of bristles (frenulum) near the base of the hind wing engages a catch (retinaculum) on the forewing. In some moths and in the skippers and butterflies, the frenulum mechanism has been lost, and the wings are coordinated by the friction of the overlapping areas. In the most primitive moths the forewings and hind wings are similar in size, shape, and veinage. In most moths and in the skippers and butterflies, the hind wings have become shorter and more rounded, with reduced veining except in the posterior wing section. The anterior, or leading (costal), edge of the forewing is thickened, with stronger veins, while the outer and posterior (anal) wing section margins are thinner and weaker. This accords with the function of the wings as airfoils having a stiff leading edge and a flexible trailing edge.
The abdomen has 10 segments, although the posterior ones are indistinct. Each of the first eight segments bears a pair of spiracles. The first or second segments bear paired auditory organs in the snout moths and measuring worm moths. Segmental appendages are absent except for vestiges that may form parts of the genitalia. Various segments may bear special structures that produce and disperse pheromones. The genitalia of both sexes are often complex and bear characteristic spines, teeth, setae, and scale tufts. These structures are important in complex courtships and matings, preventing hybridization between males and females of different species.
Compared with the highly specialized adult, the larva is simple and primitive. Many of the primitive characteristics retained in the larva are important in the classification of the suborders, superfamilies, and families. The traits also aid in making speculations on relationships among these groups (taxa).