Which insect is in the order Lepidoptera?

• A. Japanese Beetle
• B. Lace Bug
• C. Luna Moth
• D. Mealybug

Answer: (C)

Wings covered with tiny scales identify this group, and many members show vivid patterns thanks to those scales. The Luna Moth is a moth, a member of Lepidoptera, which is the order defined by scaled wings and complete metamorphosis. This insect fits that pattern with its large, colored wings that are covered in scales, and it belongs to the moth family Saturniidae.

The other insects come from different orders: the Japanese Beetle is a beetle, belonging to Coleoptera, which has hardened front wings (elytra) that aren’t scaled in the same way. The Lace Bug and the Mealybug are true bugs in Hemiptera, which have different wing structures and mouthparts. So the Luna Moth is the one that clearly fits Lepidoptera.