3-Minute Insect Essential #26 from the INSECT NEWS NETWORK

FLUTTERBYS AND GOTHS (Part 1): Butterfly Beauty and Flight, plus Nabakov’s Take on Evolution (INN Radio #26). This is Cultural Entomology at its best! To hear the full broadcast, visit www.insectnewsnetwork.com and type in number 26 - that's pound 26 - in the search bar. And be sure to Join the Insect Tribe! Sign up for our newsletter, the Periodical Buzz.

Comprising an estimated 174,250 species,[3] in 126 families[4] and 46 superfamilies,[3] the Lepidoptera show many variations of the basic body structure that have evolved to gain advantages in lifestyle and distribution. You might be surprised to learn that only 10% are butterflies which are diurnal, create chrysalis to grow and rest with their wings together. The rest are the mysterious mostly nocturnal moths, who rest with the wings apart and spin cocoons to metamorphosis.