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