A butterfly is an insect of the order Lepidoptera, and belongs to one of the superfamilies Hesperioidea (the skippers) or Papilionoidea (all other butterflies).

They are notable for their unusual life cycle with a larval caterpillar stage, an inactive pupal stage and a spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colourful winged adult form.

The diverse patterns formed by their brightly coloured wings and their erratic-yet-graceful flight have made butterfly watching a popular hobby.

Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers.

Some also derive nourishment from pollen, tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt.

Butterflies play an important ecological role as pollinators..

For more information about the topic Butterfly, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Difference between a butterfly and a moth — Although the separation of Lepidopterans into "butterfly" and "moth" categories is a well-known distinction, the difference between a butterfly and a ...  > read more

Butterflies, skippers and moths — The order Lepidoptera is the second largest order in the class Insecta and includes the butterflies, skippers, and moths. This order has more than ...  > read more

Larva — A larva is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). The larva can look ...  > read more

Monarch butterfly — The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a well-known North American butterfly. Its wings feature an easily recognizable orange and black pattern. ...  > read more

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