Girdle

The girdle is a silk thread that is used to support the pupae of a butterfly or moth. The girdle is formed from two threads, one each side of the pupae. These threads run from the surface on which the pupae is attached to the pupae approximately at its midpoint.

The pupa of the Large Copper butterfly (Lycaena dispar). The girdle can be seen as a white silken thread running from the middle of the pupae to the surface to which it is attached.

Related terms

• Chrysalis
• Lepidoptera
• Pupa

Related pages on this web site

• Butterflies and Moths - Order Lepidoptera
• Insect life cycles

See other words beginning with G