Moths and butterflies generally belong to the same insect family, namely the Lepidoptera. This category comprises over 180,000 species. The butterfly and moth possess their behavioural and physical differences. That involves butterflies being more active during the day time while moths are usually nocturnal. The stages between larva and adult also have differences . The main difference among them covers all the major differences like their frenulum, wings, body and pupa stages, and more. Lepidoptera is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world. The Lepidopteran species are characterized by more than three derived features, but the most apparent one is the presence of scales that cover the bodies, wings, and presence of a proboscis.
Moth
Moth, is among the 160,000 species of overwhelmingly nocturnal flying insects that, along with the butterflies and skippers, constitutes the order Lepidoptera. Moths generally vary in size, ranging in wingspan from about 4 mm to nearly about 30 cm. They are highly adapted, and can live in all but mainly polar habitats. The wings, bodies, and legs of moths are usually covered by dust like scales that come off if the insect is handled. As compared to butterflies, moths possess stouter bodies and a dull colouring. They also possess distinctive feathery or thick antennae. Usually at rest, moths either fold their wings like a tent over the body, wrap them around the body, or hold them extended by their sides, instead butterflies hold their wings vertically upwards.
Like other lepidopterans, the life cycle of moths has four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago). Of the most moth species, the larva and adult forms are plant eaters. Larvae do considerable damage to ornamental trees and shrubs and to many other plants that are of economic importance. The bollworm and measuring worm are generally two of the most destructive types of moth larvae. Few species of moth eat wool, fur, silk, and even feathers.
Butterfly
Butterflies are the adult flying stage of some insects that belong to an order or group known as Lepidoptera. Moths are also the members of this group. The word “Lepidoptera” refers to “scaly wings” in Greek. This name ideally suits the insects of this group since their wings are covered with thousands of tiny scales that overlap each other in rows. These scales, which are arranged in colourful designs, are unique to each species, and are the ones that give the butterfly its beauty.
Similar to all other insects, butterflies also possess six legs and three main body parts such as: head, thorax (chest or mid section) and abdomen (tail end). They also comprise two antennae and an exoskeleton.
Difference between Moth and Butterflies
Though both of these fluttering insects come under the same classification i.e. the Lepidoptera, they possess many differences that classify them as a butterfly or a moth. Discussed below are eight such differences between them:
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Their Wings When Resting
One of the most visible differences among butterflies and moths is their resting wing position. Moths are the ones that rest with their wings open, whereas butterflies rest with their wings completely closed. Moreover, many butterflies “sun bake” with their wings wide open.
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Nocturnal vs Diurnal
Butterflies are mainly active during the day time (diurnal), whereas moths are active at night time(nocturnal).
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Antennae Shape
When observed closely at the antennae of both moths and butterflies, we get to notice that they are of very different shapes. Moth antennae are generally leaf or feather-like in shape. Whereas, butterfly antennae are seen to be long, bare and arise from the head in the form of a club shape. They also possess a bulb at the end. Generally this is a normal case, but there are some moths which possess slender antennae instead of feathered one, like the Zodiac Moth, therefore the antennae present on these moths tend to be straight rather than curved.
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Frenulums
Moths usually possess a frenulum, which is a wing coupling device which ensures the wings travel together during flight. Butterflies do not possess frenulum.
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Pupae
During the metamorphism from caterpillar to butterfly, caterpillars spin a pupa consisting of a hardened protein. Whereas the moth caterpillars result in the formation of a silk pupa, which is called a cocoon. Some examples include Gypsy Moths, a pupae that resembles the butterfly and the Parnassius Butterfly, which makes a cocoon.
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General Appearance
Moths tend to be stockier and possess furry bodies; instead, butterflies are smooth and lean. This difference based on appearance is mainly due to scale size; butterflies have far smaller scales.
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Eyes
Since moths are nocturnal and butterflies are diurnal, it is obvious that both species would adapt themselves to have different eyes that suit their light conditions. Generally, moths possess superposition eyes that reflect light at the same angle in which they take it in. This type of eye forms images up to 1000 times brighter than normal eyes, but in this case image quality is sacrificed. Whereas, butterflies possess apposition eyes that work by gathering multiple images and then combining them together in the brain.
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Colour
Generally, moths are duller, less vibrant and attractive in colour, with less intricate and striking patterns. Although this is a generalised case, some moths, like the Madagascan Sunset Moth are incredibly colourful and striking.
Conclusion
Both moths and butterflies belong to the same order i.e. Lepidoptera and Both of them also share common traits of having wings, an exoskeleton, a 3-parted segmented body with 3 pairs of legs, and one pair of antennae. Here, we come to an end of this topic. We hope you have been able to grasp a clear concept of the topic.