Butterflies and moths are members
of the order Lepidoptera.
The lepidos is Greek for scales and the ptera is Greek for wings. It is this distinguishing
feature that separates them from all other insects. There are about 120,000 species of Lepidoptera. The order is divided into three suborders: Jugatae, Frenatae (moths) and Rhopalocera (butterflies and skippers).
The life cycle of Lepidoptera involves four stages: the egg, larva, pupa and winged adult. All Lepidoptera larvae are called caterpillars. As they grow they go through several molts, getting larger with each molt. The body of both the caterpillar and the adult have three segments: head, thorax and abdomen. During the pupal stage Lepidoptera goes through a complete metamorphosis. The pupal stage can last from a few days to several months.
When the adult butterfly or moth emerges it now has two segmented antennae, two compound eyes and a long sucking tube called a proboscis that it uses to feed on nectar and other fluids. The thorax now has a pair of five-jointed legs and two pairs of wings.
There are some butterfly nightlights in the Gift Shop.
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Another Ty butterfly, this one called Float. Float, as you can see, is a swallowtail butterfly, although not any particular one. A generic swallowtail, I guess. But very lovely and a must for any serious Ty collector. Float is a Beanie Baby. Here is Betty, a Puffkin and Swibco's first and only butterfly introduced in 2001. Swibco no longer makes Puffkins. This is a Swallowtail Aliform. Find it in our Gift Shop. And this is a plush butterfly made by Wild Republic. This is also in our Gift Shop. Here is Flora B. Flutterby, Boyd's very first butterfly bear. Chances are slim, however,
that you will find her anywhere in your garden, unless you put her there. Next to her is Violet Flowerflit.
The two caterpillars at the top of this page are Inch the inchworm Beanie Baby and Beanie Buddy.
Below them is Flitter the butterfly Beanie Baby. All of these are made by Ty Inc. They are retired now.
Butterfly | Dragonfly
| Firefly 
