There are three main parts of a butterfly: the head, thorax, and abdomen, together with the wings. The butterfly anatomy is further divided into subparts, each with its own functions to help the butterfly live its life cycle optimally.
visual representation of External Anatomy of a Butterfly
External anatomy of a butterfly consists of:
- Antenna
- Head
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Forewing
- Hindwing
Head
The butterflies’ heads contain the structures that help them feed and feel their surroundings. The head looks almost spherical and carries other important parts of the body, such as:
- The brain
- Antennae
- Proboscis
- Eyes
- Sensory organs
- Palps
The head contains Johnston’s organ, which detects vibration in the surroundings and is used to look for a mate during the breeding season. There is also the pharynx, which can be considered the junction between the top part of the butterfly and its trunk.
Antennae
These appendages are connected to the anterolateral part of the Lepidoptera’s heads and provide a sense of equilibrium and smell. The antennae are segmented and have clubs on their ends.
According to butterfly facts, the antennae are similar to a human’s nose as they are used to pick up scents from surroundings. The different types of butterflies use this to “smell” the fruits and flowers and even the faint hint of their potential mate’s scent.
Proboscis
The proboscis is like the butterflies’ tongues. Butterflies feed by sipping nectar from flowers and host plants, minerals from muddles, and juice from fruits that are about to decompose. They have mouth parts that resemble drinking straws for easier access to those nutritional sources.
The proboscis is a flexible spiral structure that the butterflies uncoil into a narrow tube and stick against the food source they intend to feed on.
Compound Eye
Some species, like the Painted lady butterfly, have 2 eyes, yet each of these “eyes” has more than 17,000 smaller eyes.
Furthermore, these “smaller eyes” have a system of rods, cones, and hexagonal lenses. Instead of a retina (as in the humans’ case), they have the rhabdom (light-sensitive receptor) to help focus the light once it enters their eyes.
The compound eyes also have an optic nerve that brings visual cues and signals from the internal parts of the eyes to the butterfly’s brain. The brain and optic nerve can also help these insects “see” ultraviolet rays, something human eyes can’t do.
Seeing ultraviolet rays is essential to most species of butterflies because some flowers and their fellow butterflies have unique markings that are only visible under UV light.
Thorax
If the head contains the brain and other sensory parts, the thorax contains many motor parts — the muscles and other structures the butterfly needs to move. The thorax is where the insect’s legs, abdomen, and wings are directly attached to.
Because most of the muscular parts of the butterfly are located in this region, the thorax is responsible for anchoring the butterfly as it goes about its day.
Abdomen
The abdomen attaches to the thorax and contains the butterfly’s digestive tract, respiratory, and reproductive systems.
The digestive tract helps the butterflies process the nectar, juices, and minerals they suck from their food sources. It is also responsible for eliminating waste products.
On the other hand, the respiratory system ensures that the air will freely travel from the outer part of the butterfly to the tracheal tubes. Also known as spiracles, they ensure that the butterfly can get enough oxygen for the rest of the butterfly’s body parts to function well.
As for the reproductive organs, those are located towards the end of the abdomen. This is also where the eggs develop in female adult butterflies.
Butterfly Wings
Butterfly wings help butterflies fly, land, escape predators, and migrate. Furthermore, the wings’ color and the exoskeleton serve a vital role in mimicry and camouflage — essential life skills needed to avoid predators.
The wings contain chitin, a protein that gives this structure the form and durability it needs during the flight.
Additionally, some species (Monarch butterflies) store toxic chemicals in their wings, which helps them deter predators.
Forewings
Forewings are directly attached to the middle part of the thorax (also known as the mesothorax). They are also sometimes known as the anterior wings.
Male butterflies and moths have modified scent scales attached to this part. These scales enable them to secrete pheromones that attract their female butterflies during mating.
Hindwings
Also known as the posterior wings, these are usually attached to the caudal part of the butterfly’s thorax. Unlike the forewings, which are responsible for hormone secretion and flight, the hindwings are mainly used to help the butterfly evade predators if ever it comes in close contact with them.
Joan is a nocturnal person who loves traveling and coffee. She’s also an animal lover (and rescuer) who makes it a point to befriend every animal she meets. Her passion for learning led her to writing about various topics. As someone who is a nature lover, she aims to continue learning about the wonderful creation—especially butterflies, and at the same time, share her knowledge here at Butterfly Hobbyist.