Is that a moth or a butterfly? When it comes to their appearances, these two insects can seem more alike than different. After all, they both have wings, a proboscis for sipping nectar, and three body parts (a head, a thorax, and an abdomen)! Here are a few tips to help you identify what’s flying by.
Check for 3 key differences
There are three key visual differences between moths and butterflies: antennae shape, resting wing position, and coloration. Butterflies have straight and club-shaped antennae, folded or upright wings, and colorful patterns. Moths have feathery antennae with “teeth”, open and flat wings, and less prominent colors.
Take note of the time
Whether your sighting occurs in daylight or at night can help you determine whether it’s a moth or a butterfly. Most butterflies are diurnal (active during the day), whereas most moths are nocturnal (active at night). Something fluttering around during your noon picnic is probably a butterfly, but the late-night visitor of your patio lightbulb is probably a moth!
Don’t rely on size
Both moths and butterflies have a huge size range, so don’t try to use size to help you tell them apart. The largest butterfly in the world, the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing, has a wingspan of up to 12 inches, while the smallest butterfly in the world, the Pigmy Blue, has a wingspan of only 0.7 inches! Similarly, the largest moth in the world, the Atlas moth, has a wingspan of up to 11 inches, while the smallest moth in the world, the Stigmella micromitrella, has a wingspan of only 0.08 inches!
There are more than 180,000 different species of moths and butterflies in the world. There are probably several species of each right in your neighborhood! Which insect is your favorite: moths or butterflies? Click the blue button below to vote! 👓