What makes moths different from butterflies

Butterflies have always been placed as a group within the Macrolepidoptera. However, it now appears that the concept of the Macrolepidoptera as currently defined i. Instead, the evidence suggests that Pyraloids Pyralids and Crambids , normally considered micros, are more closely related to the main macro-moths families e. Noctuids, Geometrids, hawk-moths etc. At this point the picture becomes very unclear.

If you really want to get into the detail, have a look at this research paper. No doubt there will be further discoveries and some of this new research may be turned on its head. However, it seems unlikely that butterflies are closely related to the true macro-moth groups, but instead have their ancestors among the micros. Butterflies generally gather food during the day while moths are seen more at nighttime. Most moths make a silky cocoon, while butterflies usually make a shiny chrysalis By the way, did you know that the largest moth, the Atlas moth, can grow to be over 6 inches wide!

More from my site What is the difference between food chain and a food web? Moths form a larger group of families worldwide. Note that there are always exceptions to each 'rule'.

Many of the features discussed below are illustrated in the gallery under "related items" on the top right of this page. Butterflies and skippers are groups of specialised moths which in general are day flying, have clubbed antennae, no frenulum, and are often brightly coloured.

But there are many moths which also share these characteristics. This gallery shows a few of the features that are used to help tell the difference between moths and butterflies. The Australian Museum respects and acknowledges the Gadigal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which the Museum stands.

Image credit: gadigal yilimung shield made by Uncle Charles Chicka Madden. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Butterfly antennae are thin with club-shaped tips, compared with the feathery or comb-like antennae of moths. Moths are stout and fuzzy; butterflies are slender and smooth.

And wing colorations between the insect types are generally polar opposites, with butterflies sporting more vibrant colors. Additionally, moth wings, unlike butterfly wings, have a structure called a frenulum, which joins the forewing to the hind wing.