Bfly & Moth differences

[Eric or Pat Metzler]

Dear Xi Wang

There are no consistent differences between all butterflies and all moths.
Butterflies and moths all belong to the group called Lepidoptera.  There is
a broad continuum from moths to butterflies to moths.  Some groups of
butterflies, just like some groups of moths, are distinctive in their
structure and appearance, thus they are easy to recognize.  Others groups
are not so easy to recognize as either butterflies or moths.  For example,
skippers, included as butterflies by some, are separated from the 'true'
butterflies by others.  After you study this for awhile, you get to decide,
or you can follow the majority of opinions.

Butterflies are only 6% of the total of butterflies and moths, but since
they fly mostly during the day, they are the ones most easily observed by
people, who are also active in the light hours.

You'll get several other answers to your question - some folks like to make
big distinctions between butterflies and moths.  If only we lived in some of
the European countries we'd learn a single work for both groups - perhaps
the debate that seems to capture some folks would be less important.

Good luck on your quest.

Cheers from Columbus OH USA where all Lepidoptera abound.

Eric Metzler


"gwang" <gwang at mb.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:393C2B70.4CCF at mb.sympatico.ca...
> Hi y'all,
> I've heard that the surest way to tell if something is a butterfly or a
> moth is by looking at their antennae; butterflies always have clubbed
> ones.
> My question is: is this true?  Are there no exceptions at all?
>
> TIA,
> Xi Wang