Butterfly Vocabulary at Home
Basic Butterfly Vocabulary (PreK-2)
Abdomen—the hind part of the body on the caterpillar and the butterfly. All insects have one!
Antennae—found on the butterfly’s head, used to taste the air and help with balance and orientation
Caterpillar—the larval stage of a butterfly or moth
Chrysalis—the hard shell covering the pupa, shaped like an upside-down teardrop
Compound eyes—found on the butterfly’s head. Thousands of tiny lenses help the butterfly see in all directions and recognize color, pattern and movement.
Proboscis—the butterfly tongue, which works like a drinking straw. In metamorphosis, the proboscis is formed as two separate parts, which the butterfly uncoils and zips together to form a tube for drinking.
Thorax—the three front segments of the caterpillar, each segment with a pair of legs. The front part of the butterfly’s body.
Butterfly Expert Vocabulary (3-6)
Joints—located between the butterfly’s leg segments. Joints help the butterfly bend and move the body.
Larva—the second stage of metamorphosis, another term for caterpillar.
Mandible—the caterpillar’s jaw
Ocelli—name for the three sets of eyes your caterpillar has. The caterpillar’s vision is poor even with all those eyes!
Palpi—feelers that help the caterpillar “see” where it’s going, also found on the butterfly’s head.
Pro-legs—found on segments 3 through 8 and the last segment of a caterpillar.
Pupa—the third stage of metamorphosis, another name for the chrysalis.
Spinneret—opening of the silk gland, found on the caterpillar’s lower lip. It’s used to create the silk pad to which the chrysalis attaches.
Spiracles—breathing holes. Found in pairs, one on each side of all segments of the caterpillar except the second, third and last. Spiracles are also found on the chrysalis and butterfly.
Lepidopterist Vocabulary (Advanced)
Anal-claspers—hind legs on the caterpillar. Used to attach to the silk pad the caterpillar spins at the beginning of the chrysalis stage.
Cremaster—replaces the anal-claspers in attaching the chrysalis to the top of the cup or to a twig.
Crochets—groups of hooks on the caterpillar’s prolegs
Cuticle—the skin or exoskeleton of the caterpillar and chrysalis. The Painted Lady caterpillar’s cuticle has short spines. These spines are a defense from predators.
Exuvia—the name for the molted, caterpillar cuticle. Look for it in the bottom of the cup!
Other Important Terms
Diurnal—active during the day
Entomologist—scientist who studies insects
Frass—caterpillar excrement (those little round balls at the bottom of the cup)
Habitat—environment that supports the survival of a species
Lepidopterist—scientist who studies butterflies
Metamorphosis—the process of developmental changing from one thing into another, often marked by body changes
Migrate—to travel from one place to another, often seasonally
Molt—Caterpillars “molt” or shed their skin as they grow.
Nocturnal—active at night
Pheromones—special chemicals the butterflies give off to attract a mate
Puddling—Butterflies gather, or puddle, at damp spots. They are getting sodium, an essential part of their diet.
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