But recent studies have shown overall declines in insect populations in Europe and North America. Insects make up 60% of the species on Earth and are still poorly understood. Recent findings related to moth population declines, and even the effect of light pollution on daytime species like the monarch butterfly, emphasize the continued need for awareness and support of pollinators. This issue connects us to Pollinator Week (celebrated annually in June), which was initiated 14 years ago and marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. In recent years, a decline in moth populations in Europe and parts of the United States has been documented. This entry was posted in Fun Facts, Our Butterflies. Although this is a generalised rule, some moths, such as the Madagascan Sunset Moth are incredibly colourful and striking,ĭiscover and learn about a number of butterflies and moths at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. In general, moths tend to be duller and less vibrant in colour, with less intricate and striking patterns. Colour Top: Ulysses Butterfly, Bottom: Hercules Moth On the other hand, butterflies have apposition eyes, which work by gathering multiple images and combining them in the brain.Ĩ.
This type of eye creates images up to 1000 times brighter than acquisition eyes, but sacrifices image quality. In general, moths have superposition eyes, which reflect light at the same angle that they take it in. This difference in appearance is due to scale size butterflies possess far smaller scales.Īs moths are nocturnal and butterflies are diurnal, it makes sense that the two species would adapt to have different eyes to suit their light conditions. Widely speaking, moths tend to be stockier and have furry bodies, whereas butterflies are smooth and lean. Prime examples include Gypsy Moths form a pupae that resembles that of a butterfly and the Parnassius Butterfly, which makes a cocoon. On the other hand, moth caterpillars form a silk pupa, which is known as a cocoon.ĭespite this being a generalised rule, there are some exceptions. In the metamorphism from caterpillar to butterfly, caterpillars spin a pupa consisting of hardened protein. Butterflies do not have this.ĥ.Pupae Left: a Hercules Moth Cocoon. Moths have a frenulum, which is a wing coupling device that ensures the wings travel together during flight. Although this is normally the case, there are some moths that have slender antennae rather than feathered, such as the Zodiac Moth, however the antennae on these moths tend to be straight rather than curved. Butterfly antennae tend to be long, bare and eject from the head in a club shape. Moth antennae tend to be leaf or feather shape. If you look closely at the antennae of both moths and butterflies, you will notice that they are very different shapes. Right: Antennae of a Cairns Birdwing Butterfly However, many butterflies “sun bake” with their wings open.īutterflies are active during the day (diurnal), whereas moths are active at night (nocturnal).ģ.Antennae Shape Left: Moth antennae of a Hercules Moth and a Zodiac Moth. Moths rest with their wings open, whereas butterflies tend to rest with their wings closed.
One of the most obvious differences between butterflies and moths is their resting wing position. These 8 differences between butterflies and moths will have you classifying that critter in no time! 1.Their Wings When Resting Left: Zodiac Moth. Spotted a flying beauty and not sure whether it’s a butterfly or a moth? What are the differences between butterflies and moths?Īlthough both of these fluttering insects come under the classification Lepidoptera, they possess many differences that classify them as a butterfly or a moth.
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