Butterfly
the English name for any species of the diurnal lepidoptera, or rhopalocera. The antennæ end in a club; the wings in repose are generally quite upright, and there are no bristles on the hinder pair. They fly by day, while their allies the hawk moths do so by twilight, and the moths by night.
Before coming to the perfect state they exist first as the caterpillar, and afterward in the chrysalis state. Butterflies exist in all climates except those marked by extreme cold; the tropical species, are, however, most numerous, besides being the largest in size, and, as a rule, the brightest in coloring. The butterflies, or diurnal lepidoptera, are divided into four families: Papilionidæ, nymphalidæ, lycænidæ, and hesperidæ. BUTTERINE. See OLEOMARGARINE.