DK - WOW! The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything

Insects are the most successful creatures on Earth. Beetles

alone account for almost a third of all known animal

species. Many insects are tiny, but others are big

enough for us to see the amazing

intricacy of their structure.

Some may bite or sting, and a

few are real pests, but most

are harmless, fascinating,

and beautiful.

Insects

BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies start life as leaf-

munching caterpillars, then

form protective cases and

become pupae, before turning

into colourful winged beauties

that sip nectar from flowers.

FLIES

True flies have just two wings

for flying, rather than four like

other adult insects. Some are

biting bloodsuckers, and a few

can spread diseases, but others

like hoverflies are harmless.

MOTHS

Moths are basically the same as

butterflies, but most moths fly

by night on whirring wings. Many

are dull brown for camouflage,

but a few are brightly patterned.

Dra

go

nfl^

y

O

le

an

de

r (^) moth
But
ter
fl^ y
e
gg
s

O

ka

s

ilk

m

ot

h^

pu

pa

Pol

yph

emu

G s moth

reen

bri

ndl

ed

cr

es

ce

nt

m

o

ht

Ho

ve

rfl^

y

Blo

wfl^ y^ larva

e

Cranefly

Swallowtail

butterfl y

Red adm

ira

l^ b

ut

te

rfl^

y

Yellow

brimstone

moth

Great eggfly butterfly pupa

24

Pink barred

sallow moth

Cabbage white

caterpillars

Housefly

Tortoiseshell

caterpillar

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