What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth's caterpillar?

Answer 1

Although the separation of Lepidopterans into "butterfly" and "moth" categories is a well-known distinction, the difference between a butterfly and a moth is not actually a standard taxonomic division. No rule is perfect, but generally the following conditions apply:

• The most strict difference is in the feelers, or antennae. A butterfly has a thin straight pair of antennae which end in a small club, while moths usually have large feathered antennae for the males and thin, straight, unclubbed antennae for the females. This distinction is the basis for the non-standard taxonomy distinction between Lepidoptera "division" Rhopalocera ("clubbed antennae", the butterflies) and "division" Heterocera ("variegated antennae", the moths). There are a few exceptions to this rule. Not all moths have the feathering on their antennae, but they all lack the clubbed ends of a butterfly. On the other hand, one species of butterfly, Pseudopontia paradoxa from the forests of central Africa, bears thread-like antennae that lack the distinctive clubbed ends that normally identify butterflies.
• Most moths have frenula, small barbs extending from the front of each hindwing. Butterflies do not have frenula. The frenulum is difficult to observe in living specimens.
• The large majority of moths are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), although there are some diurnal (day-flying) species. There are few nocturnal butterflies.
• Another major difference is in the pupa or metamorphosis stage when they change from caterpillar to adult insect. A moth normally spins a cocoon around its pupa to protect and conceal itself, while butterflies metamorphose inside a hardened shell called a chrysalis. Hawk moths, however, metamorphose inside a chrysalis, typically undergound.
• Many, but not all, butterflies have bright colorful patterns on their wings. Nocturnal moths' wings are usually plain brown/grey/white/black, often with obscuring patterns of zigzags or swirls, to help camouflage them while they are resting in the daytime. However day-flying moths are often brightly-colored, particularly if they are toxic.
• Moths rest with their wings spread out to their sides. Butterflies frequently fold their wings above their backs when they are perched and/or feeding, although they will occasionally "bask" with their wings spread for short periods. Some butterflies, like the skippers, may hold their wings either flat, or folded, or even in-between (the so-called "jet plane" position) when perched.
• Moths tend to have very fat hairy or furry appearing bodies, while butterflies are slighter and smoother. Moths have larger scales that make them look more dense and fluffy. Butterflies on the other hand possess fine scales, that are actually more in density than in moths. However Moth scales seem to come off easily on touch, than butterflies, probably because of the large surface area of moth scales.
• Moths' fore and hindwings are connected, while those of butterflies can move independently. The difference in wing articulation generally makes butterfly flight smoother, although there are considerable differences in flight patterns within the two groups also.
• A butterfly's pupa is called a chrysalis. A moth, however, spins a protective silk case which is known as a cocoon.
• The antennae (or feelers) of a butterfly are thin and slender, with a club shape at the end. Moths however mostly have a comb-like feathery antennae or filamentous and unclubbed.
• Most butterflies have very bright colours on their wings. Nocturnal moths tend to plainer in comparison , often with camouflaging patterns for hiding in day light. Day moths can sometimes have bright colours particularly if they are toxic and some butterflies, such as the cabbage white butterfly, are relatively plain.
• The body's of moths and butterflies are also different. Moths normally have stout hairy or furry bodies, whereas butterflies have slender, smoother abdomens.
• The scales on a moths wing tend to be larger and have a very dense fluffy look, while butterflies have finer scales. This may be due to the moths need to conserve heat during the cooler nights, whereas butterflies are able to rely on their absorption of solar radiation.
• Most moths are nocturnal and only come out at night, while butterflies are mostly diurnal and come out in the daylight.
• Moths tend to rest with their wings out to the side, but butterflies fold their wings above their backs, although they do occasionally bask in the sun and open their wings.

Answer 2

Although both are flying insects, that is where the similarity between moths and flies ends. Some points of difference are:

Flies:

Smooth antennae (with a few exceptions)

lacy transparent wings

larval state (maggots) are legless

omnivorous

defendant on sight for navigation and finding food

one pair of wings

Moths:

'feathered' antennae

scaled opaque wings

larval stage (caterpillar) has many legs

drink nectar

navigate by light (celestial navigation) and find food through sense of smell

two pairs of wings

Answer 3

First of all moth are different. Moth come out at night, they are like bats, they sleep during the day and are awake at night. And moth eat bugs and clothing but butterflies eat bugs. Second of all, butterflies are awake only in the mornings, they sometimes may look for a flower to pollinate, but they eat bugs too!

Answer 4

Butterflies have Slenderer Bodies and long thin anntena with knobs on their ends

Answer 5

a moths antennae is hairy like as a butterflies it is not

Answer 6

Moth's catterpillars are usually hairy. There are some exceptions though.

Answer 7

Butterflies usually have lots of color and come out during the day, while moths are usually brown and come out during the night

Answer 8

A butterfly is colorful but moths are either brown or black wiTh white spots

Answer 9

moths come out at night, butterflies in the day. and butterflies are prettier.