The Anatomy of a Butterfly

Latest update to this document: 18 September 2002

Most butterflies have the same body structure, or anatomy. Their adult bodies are made up of three parts; the head, the thorax and the abdomen.

HEAD

* The antennae, eyes, and proboscis are located on the butterflies head.

* Each antenna has a knob on the top of it and are used to help the butterfly smell and touch.

* They have two large round eyes that can see ultraviolet light that humans cannot see. They can also see light that humans can see.

* The proboscis is two narrow tubes that are joined together and are used to drink nectar (liquid diet). The proboscis is usually kept coiled up under their heads unless they are drinking.

THORAX

* The thorax is located between head and the abdomen. It has three separate segements.

* The butterfly has six legs which are attached to the thorax. Each leg has five sections to it.

* Each butterfly has two pair or four wings, which are attached to the thorax too.

* All butterfly wings are covered with scales, but not all wings are the same shape. The first pair of wings are called the hindwing and are usually more rounded and smaller than the second pair called the fore (front) wings.

ABDOMEN

* The last segment of the butterfly is called the abdomen. This is where butterflies digest their food, where there nervous system, and reproductive organs are.

* The abdomen of the butterfly allows it to get air. They do not breathe with lungs like we do but have spiracles (small holes on the abdomen) where they get air from.

Here are some worksheets you might like to try from the Enchanted Learning Software site!

Caterpiller Anatomy Worksheet