What is Macrolepidoptera?
Q: What is Macrolepidoptera?
A: Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera that includes various superfamilies of moths and butterflies.
Q: Was Macrolepidoptera originally a scientific term?
A: No, it was originally a catch-all informal term similar to 'micromoth'.
Q: How has Macrolepidoptera been reformed?
A: Macrolepidoptera has been reformed to form a good monophyletic group.
Q: What are the superfamilies included in the reformed Macrolepidoptera?
A: The superfamilies included in the reformed Macrolepidoptera are sack bearers, lappet moths, bombycoid moths, owlet moths, drepanids, inchworms, European gold moths, Old World butterfly-moths, New World butterfly-moths (or moth-butterflies), skippers, and true butterflies.
Q: What are Rhopalocera?
A: Rhopalocera are the last three superfamilies included in the reformed Macrolepidoptera, which are true butterflies, skippers, and Old World butterfly-moths.
Q: What is the difference between butterflies and moths?
A: Generally, butterflies are larger, have slender antennae and brighter colors, while moths are smaller, have feathered or simple antennae and often have muted colors.
Q: Which are the New World butterfly-moths?
A: The New World butterfly-moths, or moth-butterflies, are included in the Hedyloidea superfamily, which is one of the superfamilies included in the reformed Macrolepidoptera.
