Lepidoptera: Moths and Butterflies | ClipArt ETC

This ClipArt gallery offers 486 pictures of insects from the order Lepidoptera, including moths and butterflies in adult, caterpillar, and larval stages.

"When they are full grown, and the time approaches for their metamorphosis, they abandon their food, and establish themselves in the angles of walls. They creep up to the ceilings, and suspend themselves by one extremity of their tube."

Case of Woolen Moth Attached to a Piece of Cloth

"When they are full grown, and the time approaches for their metamorphosis, they abandon their food,…

Larva of Woolen Moth Walking (Tinea Tapezella)

This caterpillar builds a case around itself using bits of cotton taken from clothing. If it does not…

Cocoon of Zygaena Filipendulae

"The caterpillar is yellow, spotted with black; its cocoon is boatshaped, with longitudinal furrows,…

Mottled umber moth is the common name of hybernia defoliaria. The moths emerge between October and March. The females crowl on to the food plants to lay their eggs.

Male, Female, and Larva of the Mottled Umber Moth

Mottled umber moth is the common name of hybernia defoliaria. The moths emerge between October and March.…

A butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. It has wings that are dark red with a yellow border.

Mourning Cloak

A butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. It has wings that are dark red with a yellow border.

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few exceptional instances of day-flying species. They are distinguished by their stout bodies and narrow forewings, under which when reposing they conceal the inferior and in many cases more brightly-colored pair. The majority of the species are small and dull in their colors, while a few are among the largest of known insects." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Noctuina

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few…

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few exceptional instances of day-flying species. They are distinguished by their stout bodies and narrow forewings, under which when reposing they conceal the inferior and in many cases more brightly-colored pair. The majority of the species are small and dull in their colors, while a few are among the largest of known insects." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Noctuina

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few…

The Orange Dog, caterpillar of Papilio creshontes, with osmateria, or scent organs, extended.

Orange Dog

The Orange Dog, caterpillar of Papilio creshontes, with osmateria, or scent organs, extended.

In this latter series the fore-wings are much more pointed than in the other, and the body is proportionately more robust

Pamphila Ethlius

In this latter series the fore-wings are much more pointed than in the other, and the body is proportionately…

Illustrated are the moths of the peach-tree borer. The lowest one is male.

Peach-Tree Borer

Illustrated are the moths of the peach-tree borer. The lowest one is male.

The hind wings of the potherb moth are frequently unspotted. The body is thick and heavy. The color is usually dull.

Potherb Moth

The hind wings of the potherb moth are frequently unspotted. The body is thick and heavy. The color…

Promethea Cocoon

Shown is the lengthwise section of the promethea cocoon. Also shown is the valve-like opening where…

The cocoon of the promethea moth is made in the roll of a leaf. The insect weaves a web around the leaf stalk and ties it to the parent stem. That way the leaf cannot fall.

Promethea Moth Cocoon

The cocoon of the promethea moth is made in the roll of a leaf. The insect weaves a web around the leaf…

An illustration of a fallweb worm pupa. Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a moth in the family Arctiidae known principally for its larval stage, where it creates the characteristic webbed nests on the tree limbs of a wide variety of hardwoods in the late summer and fall. It is mainly an aesthetic pest and is not believed to harm otherwise healthy trees. It is well-known to commercial tree services and arboriculturists

Fallweb Worm Pupa

An illustration of a fallweb worm pupa. Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a moth in the family Arctiidae…

An illustration of a fallweb worm pupa. Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a moth in the family Arctiidae known principally for its larval stage, where it creates the characteristic webbed nests on the tree limbs of a wide variety of hardwoods in the late summer and fall. It is mainly an aesthetic pest and is not believed to harm otherwise healthy trees. It is well-known to commercial tree services and arboriculturists

Fallweb Worm Pupa

An illustration of a fallweb worm pupa. Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a moth in the family Arctiidae…

$The Puss Moth (Cerura vinula) is a lepidoptera from the family Notodontidae. The puss moth is stinging caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, commonly called an asp. This is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. The mature larva is 1 to 1½ inches long with seven pairs of prolegs (suction-cup like claspers on the rear of the body). This larva of the puss moth shows as it appears when undisturbed.$

Puss Moth

The Puss Moth (Cerura vinula) is a lepidoptera from the family Notodontidae. The puss moth is stinging…

$The Puss Moth (Cerura vinula) is a lepidoptera from the family Notodontidae. The puss moth is stinging caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, commonly called an asp. This is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. The mature larva is 1 to 1½ inches long with seven pairs of prolegs (suction-cup like claspers on the rear of the body). This larva of the puss moth shows as it appears when disturbed and ready to sting. Intense, throbbing pain develops almost immediately witnin contact with the caterpillar.$

Puss Moth

The Puss Moth (Cerura vinula) is a lepidoptera from the family Notodontidae. The puss moth is stinging…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

A well-known colorful butterfly found in Europe, Asia and North America.

Red Admiral

A well-known colorful butterfly found in Europe, Asia and North America.

Rocky Mountain Locust. A) female in different positions, B) egg sac, C) loose eggs, D) and E) earth removed to show egg-mass already in placed and about to be placed, F) where an egg-mass has been covered up

Rocky Mountain Locust

Rocky Mountain Locust. A) female in different positions, B) egg sac, C) loose eggs, D) and E) earth…

Satin moth is the common name of liparis salicis. The caterpillar bears a row of white spots down the middle of the back. This row is bordered on each side by a broad black stripe. The caterpillars usually feed on poplars and willows.

Caterpillar of the Satin Moth

Satin moth is the common name of liparis salicis. The caterpillar bears a row of white spots down the…

"The Satyridae are found in every quarter of the globe, and seem equally at home on open plains, in forests, and on the slopes of mountains. Their larva feet chiefly on grass, and have the almost unique habit of remaining concealed by day and of coming forth at night to feed." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Satyrus Balder

"The Satyridae are found in every quarter of the globe, and seem equally at home on open plains, in…

"Clear-winged moths, Sesiidae, day-fliers, and looking more like bees, wasps, and ichneumons which they are supposed to imitate." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Sesiidae

"Clear-winged moths, Sesiidae, day-fliers, and looking more like bees, wasps, and ichneumons which they…

"Resplendent Shield-bearer (Coptodisca splendoriferella). a, leaf of apple showing work; b, summer larva; c, larva in case, traveling; d, cases tied up for winter; e, hibernating larva; f, pupa; g, moth; h, parasite: all enlarged." -Whitney, 1911

Resplendent Shield Bearer

"Resplendent Shield-bearer (Coptodisca splendoriferella). a, leaf of apple showing work; b, summer larva;…

Silkworms are the larvae of moths that spin silken cocoons.

Silkworm

Silkworms are the larvae of moths that spin silken cocoons.

Silkworms are the larvae of moths that spin silken cocoons.

Silkworm

Silkworms are the larvae of moths that spin silken cocoons.

"Silk is the peculiar glossy thread spun by the caterpillars or larvae of species of moths, and a well-known kind of fabric manufactured from it."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Silkworm

"Silk is the peculiar glossy thread spun by the caterpillars or larvae of species of moths, and a well-known…

Silkworm

A worm that produces silk.

A silkworm and a moth.

Silkworm

A silkworm and a moth.

"This important insect is a native of the north of China; and a great portion of the supplies of silk for Europe and America are still derived from that country." — Goodrich, 1859

Silkworm Moth, Caterpillar, and Chrysalis

"This important insect is a native of the north of China; and a great portion of the supplies of silk…

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness of their bodies, the only partially erect way in which they hold their wings when at rest, and the enclosure of their pupa in a cacoon, a distinct approach to the other great division of the Lepidoptera." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Skipper

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness…

Skipper

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness…

Larva of a Small Cabbage Butterfly

Generally, larva of the butterfly resembles a worm. Larva do not resemble the mature insect.

The front wings are the small ermine moth are white or gray with numerous small black dots. The lower wings are darker and uniform. The small moths usually do harm to trees and shrubs.

Small Ermine Moth and Web of Caterpillars

The front wings are the small ermine moth are white or gray with numerous small black dots. The lower…

A well-known colorful butterfly found in Europe.

Small Tortoiseshell

A well-known colorful butterfly found in Europe.

"Female Moth of Gooseberry-spanworm (Eufitchia ribearia)." -Whitney, 1911

Gooseberry Spanworm

"Female Moth of Gooseberry-spanworm (Eufitchia ribearia)." -Whitney, 1911

Illustrated is the larva of the sphinx moth.

Sphinx Moth Larva

Illustrated is the larva of the sphinx moth.

"The Lime-tree sphinx, <em>Sphinx tiliae</em>, has the wings denticulated and angular; it is nocturnal, and flies heavily." — Goodrich, 1859

Lime-tree sphinx

"The Lime-tree sphinx, Sphinx tiliae, has the wings denticulated and angular; it is nocturnal,…

<i>Deilephila lineata</i>"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane." —Whitney, 1889
<p>A large moth with white and black stripes. The left wings are omitted.

White-Lined Morning Sphinx

Deilephila lineata"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane."…

<i>Deilephila lineata</i>"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane." —Whitney, 1889
<p>A large moth with white and black stripes. This illustration displays the whole moth whereas the left wings are omitted as in original illustration.

White-Lined Morning Sphinx

Deilephila lineata"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane."…

The stem-mother that starts the transformation.

Stem Mother

The stem-mother that starts the transformation.

Pictured is a tent caterpillar. It is the larva of a moth or butterfly.

Tent Caterpillar

Pictured is a tent caterpillar. It is the larva of a moth or butterfly.

Illustrated is an imago, or adult, of a tent caterpillar.

Tent Caterpillar Imago

Illustrated is an imago, or adult, of a tent caterpillar.

The tiger moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

Tiger Moth

The tiger moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

The larva Milkweed Tiger Moth (Euchaetes egle) is also known as the Milkweed Tussock caterpillar.

Milkweed Tiger Moth Larva

The larva Milkweed Tiger Moth (Euchaetes egle) is also known as the Milkweed Tussock caterpillar.

The Milkweed Tiger Moth (Euchaetes egle) is an insect in the Arctiidae family of tiger moths.

Milkweed Tiger Moth

The Milkweed Tiger Moth (Euchaetes egle) is an insect in the Arctiidae family of tiger moths.

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe themselves at our expense in the warmest woollen garments, which they traverse in all directions, leaving behind a gnawed and worn-out path, so thin and bare as to yield to the slightest pressure. They also destroy furs, hair, feathers, and many other articles of domestic economy, and are the exterminating pests of zoological museums. To them we no doubt owe the destruction of the most perfect specimen of the Dodo known, which was once preserved in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tineina

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe…

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe themselves at our expense in the warmest woollen garments, which they traverse in all directions, leaving behind a gnawed and worn-out path, so thin and bare as to yield to the slightest pressure. They also destroy furs, hair, feathers, and many other articles of domestic economy, and are the exterminating pests of zoological museums. To them we no doubt owe the destruction of the most perfect specimen of the Dodo known, which was once preserved in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tineina

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe…

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe themselves at our expense in the warmest woollen garments, which they traverse in all directions, leaving behind a gnawed and worn-out path, so thin and bare as to yield to the slightest pressure. They also destroy furs, hair, feathers, and many other articles of domestic economy, and are the exterminating pests of zoological museums. To them we no doubt owe the destruction of the most perfect specimen of the Dodo known, which was once preserved in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tineina

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe…

"Tobacco split worm: adult moth above; larva below at right; pupa below at left, with side view of enlarged anal segment." -Department of Agriculture, 1899

Tobacco Split Worm

"Tobacco split worm: adult moth above; larva below at right; pupa below at left, with side view of enlarged…

Tomato Worm

The Five-Spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) is a brown and gray hawk moth of the Sphingidae…

"The Tortricina include a great number of small moths exceedingly injurious to orchard and other trees. They are known as "leaf-rollers" from the habit which most of their larva have of rolling up the leaves on which they feed, and thus forming a shelter for themselves. The Green Tortrix occurs in the larva state on the oak, to which it often does great injurt by stripping the trees of their leaves in the month of June. Throughout Southern Europe the vine is liable to the ravages of another species, Aenectra pillariana, while few of our fruit trees are exempt from the occasional attacks of some species or other of the Carpocapsidae, the fruit-eating family of this group." — Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tortricina

"The Tortricina include a great number of small moths exceedingly injurious to orchard and other trees.…

Turnip moth is the common name of agrotis segetum. The caterpillars live on turnip roots, harming the plants.

Caterpillar of Turnip Moth

Turnip moth is the common name of agrotis segetum. The caterpillars live on turnip roots, harming the…

The vapourer moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

Vapourer Moth

The vapourer moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. Pictured is the male moth. The body is dark brown and the wings are rusty brown.

Vapourer Moth

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. Pictured is the male moth. The body is dark brown…

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. The larva is covered with yellowish hairs. The larva may reach two inches in length.

Larva of Vapourer Moth

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. The larva is covered with yellowish hairs. The larva…