Classification

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia                           
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Limenitis
Species: Limenitis arthemis astyanax

Why does the Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly Belong to Each Taxon?

Characteristics of each taxonomic level:

Eukarya:
    - True nucleus is present in each cell
    - Membrane enclosed organelles
Animalia:
   
- Multicellular heterotrophs
    - Specialized cells for different functions
    - Lack of cell walls
    - Motile at some point in life
    - Sexual reproduction
Arthropoda:
   
- Bilaterally symmetrical
    - Segmented body with jointed appendages
    - Exoskeleton
    - Several pairs of limbs
Insecta:
    - 3 Main body parts (Head, Thorax, Abdomen)
    - 3 pairs of legs
    - 2 pairs of wings
    - Compound eyes
    - Pair of antennae

Lepidoptera:
    -
Membranous wings
    - 1 Ocelli (simple eye with one lens) located above each compound eye
    - Scales covering body and wings
    - Proboscis (tube-like mouthpart used for sucking nectar)
    - Undergo complete metamorphosis
Nymphalidae:
    -
Ridges on adult antennae
    - Pair of front legs are reduced and are functionless
Limenitis:
    - Dark northern butterflies
    - Majority have white wing bars
Limenieis arthemis astyanax:
    - Red spots on underside of wings
    - Blue iridescent color on topside of wings
    - Absence of white bands

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