Butterflies are colorful winged beauties that can be found almost everywhere. But, have you ever seen their dull-lit counterparts, the moths? Although they look similar in appearance (except for the colors), they have their differences. Let’s dive into the world of Lepidopterans(the order to which butterflies and moths belong) and explore some commonalities and what makes them different.
Butterflies and moths- why are they important?
Both are important pollinators and help keep our ecosystem healthy. Click here to read about yet another important group of pollinators.
Butterflies and moths- similarities
As previously mentioned, both belong to the order- Lepidoptera. A characteristic feature of this order is the presence of four wings with scales on them. Both these cold-blooded insects undergo complete metamorphosis each involving four stages, namely- egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupa, and adult.
What makes them different?
- Their Antennae- butterflies have long and thin ones while moths have thick and feathery antennae more like a comb
- Color- the most obvious difference is in their color- butterflies are very colorful and vibrant while moths often do not display such bright colors
- Wing position- while resting, butterflies fold their wings vertically above their heads and moths fold them horizontally.
- Activity- butterflies are early birds while moths are night owls
- Transformation- butterflies form a hard yet smooth chrysalis in their pupal stage, while moths make a fuzzy and rough cocoon.
These are the general differences between them. However, it is important to note that there are exceptions too. There are dull-looking butterflies and colorful-looking moths. One can find really active moths during the day and butterflies buzzing around at night. These differences were observed in the majority of the butterflies and moths and hence widely accepted.
So, the next time you look at a butterfly-like insect, you know if it is a moth or butterfly.
Hope this was an interesting read. Put your thinking hats on and let me know if you have any curious questions like these in mind.
Fascinating, thanks for sharing