What defining feature separates the Order Lepidoptera from other winged insects?
Answer
Their wings are covered in thousands of minute, overlapping scales.
The Order Lepidoptera, which encompasses all butterflies and moths, is characterized fundamentally by the structure of its wings. These wings are densely covered in thousands of minute, overlapping scales. These scales are responsible for providing the vibrant color patterns observed on the wings, as well as contributing significantly to the structural integrity of the flight surfaces. This scale covering is the primary morphological characteristic that differentiates members of Lepidoptera from other insect orders that possess membranous wings.
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