Moths vs Butterflies

Moths and butterflies are both insects that belong to a group known as Lepidoptera (the Greek word “lepis” meaning scale and “pteron” meaning wing). Butterflies and moths have many things in common, such as wings covered with scales.

Moths make over 95% of the species belonging to Lepidoptera. Based on fossil records dating back to around 190 million years ago, moths were present on Earth before butterflies. Rather, moths evolved into butterflies, leading to the distinct groups – moths and butterflies.

How can you tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly? The distinguishing features of moths and butterflies are listed below.

Behavioral Activity:

Butterflies are ectotherm , using outside sources of heat to maintain their body temperatures. Thus, they are mostly active during the day, using sunlight to keep their body temperatures at around 85ºC. This temperature is required for flight. On the other hand, moths are mostly nocturnal species, resting during the day and active at night. Although moths are also ectotherms, they maintain their body temperature by vibrating their wings.

Wings and Coloration:

Moths are usually smaller and duller in color, while butterflies are usually larger and brightly colored. While resting, moths lay their wings down horizontally, showing the tops of their wings and hiding their colored abdomen . Butterflies hold their wings vertically up over their backs, showing the dull undersides of their wings. This is to avoid being spotted by predators.

Moths have patterns on their wings in the form of swirls or zigzags to hide from predators. Butterflies also have unique patterns on their wings, but these are striking to the eye. There are exceptions in both groups of species. For example, the baron butterfly is dark brown and the cabbage white butterfly is plain white, whereas the luna moth is pastel green and the rosy maple moth is bright yellow and pink. These exceptions may also be toxic.

Wing Anatomy and Flight Pattern:

Butterflies and moths have different wing anatomy as well. Butterflies have two wings on each side of their bodies which move independently. They lack a structure called the frenulum . In moths, this structure joins the forewing to the hind wing, allowing the wings to work together.

As for the flight pattern, some species of butterflies fly at great speeds effortlessly, while others fly at slower paces. Moths have brightly colored scales on their wings which trap air and allow them to fly. However, these scales may be easily spotted by predatory birds. Thus, moths have an unpredictable, erratic pattern of flight.

Life Cycle and Reproduction:

The adult butterfly usually lives for only two weeks. But, some species of butterflies can survive for many months and hibernate during the winter. Depending on the species, moths can also live for seven days to up to ten months. It is believed that moths do not age, but other reasons lead to their death.

Butterflies and moths are “ holometabolous ” species, showing a phenomenon known as complete metamorphosis . Distinct stages—egg, caterpillar, chrysalis (or cocoon ), and adult—are seen during complete metamorphosis. The female moth may lay a single egg or lay in batches, whereas female butterflies lay eggs in groups. Moths make cocoons wrapped in silk strings. On the other hand, the chrysalis of a butterfly is usually hard, smooth, and made of a substance known as chitin .