Editing Comparison of butterflies and moths

{{Short description|none}}
A common classification of the [[Lepidoptera]] involves their differentiation into [[butterfly|butterflies]] and [[moth]]s.  Butterflies are a natural [[monophyletic]] group, often given the suborder '''Rhopalocera''', which includes [[Papilionoidea]] (true butterflies), [[Hesperiidae]] (skippers), and [[Hedylidae]] (butterfly moths). In this taxonomic scheme, moths belong to the suborder '''Heterocera'''. Other taxonomic schemes have been proposed, the most common putting the butterflies into the suborder [[Ditrysia]] and then the "superfamily" [[Papilionoidea]] and ignoring a classification for moths.

==Taxonomy==
While the butterflies form a [[monophyly|monophyletic]] group, the moths, which comprise the rest of the Lepidoptera, do not. Many attempts have been made to group the superfamilies of the Lepidoptera into natural groups, most of which fail because one of the two groups is not monophyletic: Microlepidoptera and Macrolepidoptera, Heterocera and Rhopalocera, Jugatae and Frenatae, Monotrysia and Ditrysia.<ref name="scoble">Scoble, MJ 1995. The Lepidoptera: form, function and diversity. Oxford, UK: The Oxford University Press; 404 p.</ref>

Although the rules for distinguishing these groups are not absolute, one very good guiding principle is that butterflies have thin antennae and (with one exception) have small balls or clubs at the end of their antennae.  Moth antennae can be quite varied in appearance, but in particular lack the club end.  The divisions are named by this principle: "club-antennae" (Rhopalocera) or "varied-antennae" (Heterocera).

The following families of Lepidoptera are usually considered butterflies:
*[[Swallowtail butterfly|Swallowtail]]s and [[birdwing]]s, [[Papilionidae]]
*Whites or yellow-whites, [[Pieridae]]
*Blues and coppers or gossamer-winged butterflies, [[Lycaenidae]]
*Metalmark butterflies, [[Riodinidae]]
*Brush-footed butterflies, [[Nymphalidae]] which contain the following 13 subfamilies:
** the snout butterflies or [[Libytheinae]] (formerly the family Libytheidae)
** the danaids or [[Danainae]] (formerly the family Danaidae)
** the [[Tellervinae]]
** the glasswings or [[Ithomiinae]]
** the [[Calinaginae]]
** the morphos and owls or [[Morphinae]] (including the owls as tribe Brassolini)
** the browns or [[Satyrinae]] (formerly the family Satyridae)
** the [[Charaxinae]] (''[[Prepona]]''s and leaf butterflies)
** the [[Biblidinae]]
** the [[Apaturinae]]
** the nymphs or [[Nymphalinae]]
** the [[Limenitidinae]] (especially the ''[[Adelpha]]''s) (formerly the family Limenitididae)
** the tropical longwings or [[Heliconiinae]]

The family [[Hesperiidae]], or the skippers, often considered as butterflies, have significant morphological differences from butterflies and moths.

The other families of the Lepidoptera are considered moths.

==Morphological differences==
[[File:Heliconius hecale qtl1.jpg|thumb|A [[Heliconius hecale|tiger longwing butterfly]] (''Heliconius hecale'') - note the clubbed antennae and slender body]]

===Shape and structure of antennae===
The most obvious difference is in the feelers, or [[antenna (biology)|antennae]]. Most butterflies have thin slender filamentous antennae which are club shaped at the end. Moths, on the other hand, often have comb-like or feathery antennae, or filamentous and unclubbed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australianmuseum.net.au/What-are-the-differences-between-butterflies-and-moths |title=What are the differences between butterflies and moths?|publisher= Copyright © Australian Museum |access-date= June 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/butterflymoth.html|title=What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? (Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of Congress)|website=[[Library of Congress]] }}</ref> This distinction is the basis for the earliest taxonomic divisions in the Lepidoptera: the '''Rhopalocera''' ("clubbed horn", the butterflies) and the '''Heterocera''' ("varied horn", the moths).

There are, however, exceptions to this rule and a few moths (the families [[Castniidae]], [[Uraniidae]], [[Apoprogonidae]], [[Sematuridae]],<ref name=Scott>{{cite book |title=The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide |last=Scott |first=James A. |year=1992 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Calif. |isbn= 9780804720137|page=94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oa5m8gZcGjMC&q=Uraniidae+antenna&pg=PA94 |access-date=April 27, 2011}}</ref> and some members of [[Sphingidae]]) have clubbed antennae. Some butterflies, like ''[[Pseudopontia paradoxa]]'' from the forests of central [[Africa]], lack the club ends. The [[Hesperioidea|hesperiids]] often have an angle to the tip of the antenna, with the clubs hooked backwards like a [[crochet hook]].

===Wing-coupling mechanisms===
Many moths have a [[frenulum#In_insects|frenulum]] which is a filament arising from the hindwing and coupling (matching up) with barbs on the forewing. The frenulum can be observed only when a specimen is in hand. There is only one known species of butterfly with a frenulum, which is the male regent skipper ''[[Euschemon rafflesia]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Britton |first1=David |title=What are the differences between butterflies and moths? |url=https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/what-are-the-differences-between-butterflies-and-moths/ |website=Australian Museum |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref> Some moths have a lobe on the forewing called a jugum that helps in coupling with the hindwing.  Butterflies lack these structures.

===Pupae===
Most moth [[caterpillars]] spin a [[Cocoon (silk)|cocoon]] made of silk within which they [[metamorphosis (biology)|metamorphose]] into the [[pupa|pupal stage]]. Most butterfly caterpillars, on the other hand, form an exposed pupa made from a hardened protein, also termed a [[chrysalis]].
<gallery>
File:Pupa3-cropped.jpg|Moths typically form a cocoon
File:Monarch Butterfly Cocoon 3.jpg|Butterflies typically form a chrysalis
</gallery>
There are many exceptions to this rule, however.  For example, the [[hawk moth]]s form an exposed pupa which is underground. [[Spongy moth]]s sometimes form butterfly-style pupae, hanging on twigs or tree bark, although usually they create flimsy cocoons out of silk webbing and leaf bits, leaving the pupa exposed. The plume winged moths of the family [[Pterophoridae]] also pupates without a cocoon and the pupa resembles the chrysalis of the [[Pieridae|pierid]] butterfly. A few skipper butterfly larvae also make crude cocoons in which they pupate, exposing the pupa a bit. The ''[[Parnassius]]'' butterfly larvae make a flimsy cocoon for pupation and they pupate near the ground surface between debris.
[[File:Moth September 2008-3.jpg|thumb|[[Pine processionary]] moth (''Thaumetopoea pityocampa'') - note the feathered antennae and fat furry body]]

===Colouration of the wings===
Most butterflies have bright colours on their wings. Nocturnal moths on the other hand are usually plain brown, grey, white or black and often with obscuring patterns of zigzags or swirls which help [[camouflage]] them from predators as they rest during the day. However, many day-flying moths are brightly coloured, particularly if they are [[toxicity|toxic]]. These [[Diurnality|diurnal]] species evolved to locate their mates visually and not primarily by [[pheromone]] as their drab nocturnal cousins.<ref name=Scott /> Several species of [[Saturniidae]] moths, such as the giant silk moths, are nocturnal but often have bright colours and striking patterns on their wings. A few butterflies are also plain-coloured, like the [[Pieris rapae|cabbage white]] butterfly or the [[Euthalia aconthea|baron]] butterfly.

===Structure of the body===
Moths tend to have stout and hairy or furry-looking bodies, while butterflies have slender and smoother abdomens. Moths have larger scales on their wings which makes them look more dense and fluffy. Butterflies on the other hand possess fine scales.  This difference is possibly due to the need for moths to conserve heat during the cooler nights, or to confound [[Animal echolocation|echolocation]] by bats, whereas butterflies are able to absorb [[sunlight]].

=== Eye types ===
Despite appearances, butterflies and moths have different types of [[Eye#Compound eyes|compound eye]]s. Though not universal, moths very commonly have [[Eye#Superposition eyes|superposition eyes]], while butterflies equally commonly favour [[Eye#Apposition eyes|apposition eyes]]. This is due to the superposition eye's adaptations for low light environments suiting the nocturnal moths, and the apposition eye's superior resolution and potential for colour vision benefiting the more diurnal butterflies.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Greiner|first=Birgit|title=Adaptations for Nocturnal Vision in Insect Apposition Eyes|journal=International Review of Cytology|date=16 December 2005|volume=250 |pages=1–46 |doi=10.1016/S0074-7696(06)50001-4 |pmid=16861062|isbn=9780123646545 |url=http://www4.lu.se/upload/GreinerThesis.pdf|access-date=11 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209164014/http://www4.lu.se/upload/GreinerThesis.pdf|archive-date=9 February 2013}}</ref>

There are several exceptions to this rule, such as with the diurnal [[Zygaenidae]] and Sytomidae families of moths, both of which have apposition eyes, or the [[Hedyloidea]] family of butterflies, which are nocturnal and feature superposition eyes.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Yack|first=Jayne|author2=Stephanie E. Johnson |author3=Sarah G. Brown |author4=Eric J. Warrant |title=The eyes of Macrosoma sp. (Lepidoptera: Hedyloidea): a nocturnal butterfly with superposition optics.|journal=Arthropod Structure & Development|date=14 November 2007|volume=36|issue=1|pages=11–22|pmid=18089084|doi=10.1016/j.asd.2006.07.001}}<!--|accessdate=11 May 2012--></ref> In most cases where one species is found to be using the opposite type of eye than expected, it is because they are active during the opposite time of day than is normal for other butterflies or moths.

==Behavioural differences==

===Time of activity===
Most moths are [[nocturnal]] or [[crepuscular]] while most butterflies are [[Diurnal animal|diurnal]]. There are however exceptions, including the spectacular [[Uraniidae]] or sunset moths. A few species, such as the male European/North American [[spongy moth]], fly during both day and night in search of the females, which are flightless.

===Resting posture===
Moths usually rest with their wings spread out to their sides. Butterflies frequently fold their wings above their backs when they are perched although they will occasionally "bask" with their wings spread for short periods (several types of [[Swallowtail butterfly|Swallowtail butterflies]] tend to frequently rest with their wings spread when in sunlight). However, some butterflies, like the [[skipper (butterfly)|skipper]]s, may hold their wings either flat, or folded, or even in-between (the so-called "jet plane" position) when perched.
<gallery>
File:Female emperor gum moth.jpg|Typical moth resting posture
File:LeopardMothBlueSpots edit2.jpg|Alternative moth resting posture
File:Beautiful butterfly 2-cutout.JPG|Typical butterfly resting posture
</gallery>
Most moths also occasionally fold their wings above their backs when they are in a certain spot (like when there is no room to fully spread their wings).

A sometimes confusing family can be the [[Geometridae]] (such as the [[winter moth]]) because the adults often rest with their wings folded vertically.  These moths have thin bodies and large wings like many butterflies but may be distinguished easily by structural differences in their antennae (e.g. [[bipectinate]]).

===Examples of exceptions to the general moth/butterfly distinctions===
<gallery>
File:Chrysiridia rhipheus 23.JPG|''[[Chrysiridia rhipheus]]'' ([[Uraniidae]]), the day-flying Madagascan sunset moth, has butterfly-like colours
File:Tetragonus catamitus India.jpg|''[[Tetragonus]]'' sp., a day-flying [[Callidulidae|callidulid]] moth holds its wings like a butterfly but lacks the knobbed antennae
File:Paysandisia archon MHNT female.jpg|The day-flying ''[[Paysandisia archon]]'' has clubbed antennae like other moths of family [[Castniidae]]
File:Callosamia promethea 37.JPG|The male ''[[Callosamia promethea]]'' moth uses [[Batesian mimicry]] to mimic the poisonous  [[Battus philenor|pipe vine swallowtail]] butterfly
</gallery>

==Online==
* Wilkes, Benjamin (1749) ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/73622 The English moths and butterflies]''


==References==
{{Reflist}}

<br/>
{{Lepidoptera}}
{{Lepidopteran superfamilies}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Comparison of butterflies and moths}}
[[Category:Lepidopterology]]