Bfly & Moth differences

[JH]

Here's the way I understand the differences - keep in mind Tallyrand's Law
"All generalizations are wrong, including this one":

Butterflies: Clubbed, or hooked, antennae
Moths: Tapered, often "combed" antennae

Butterflies: No frenulum
Moths: Many have frenulum (velcro-like hooks holding wings together)

Butterflies: Mostly diurnal
Moths: Mostly - by no means always - nocturnal

Butterflies: Relatively "clean" bodies
Moths: Often have modified scales giving the appearence of fuzzy bodies -
although the geometers are somewhat butterfly-like

Butterflies: Tend to alight in a precise, motionless manner
Moths: Tend to flutter into a landing

Butterflies: Aside from a few who can make a sound with their wings
(Cracker), are silent
Moths: Many produce sounds for mating or dealing with bats

Butterflies: Have organizations formed for their appreciation and
protection, festivals thrown in their honor, habitats created for them...
Moths: Don't

It's also my understanding that butterflies are basically moths that have
evolved to fill the daytime niche.


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John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT USA
jhimmel at connix.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Raper <cmt.raper at triocomp.co.uk>
To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu <leps-l at lists.yale.edu>
Date: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: Bfly & Moth differences


>On Mon, 05 Jun 2000 18:36:32 -0400, gwang <gwang at mb.sympatico.ca>
>wrote:
>
>>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?
>
>There are always exceptions :-)
>
>Basically, 'moth' & 'butterfly' are unofficial and relatively
>unscientific groupings. The main group that includes all butterflies &
>moths is called the 'order' Lepidoptera, which is in-turn split into a
>large number of 'families' - nearly all with long names that are
>difficult to pronounce. Because we humans tend to like simple systems
>we have grouped some similar families together & called them
>'butterflies'. Butterflies _tend_ to fly during the day, have clubbed
>antennae, usually hold their wings over their back etc - unfortunately
>so do some moths and here is where we get the confusion!
>
>Best wishes,
>Chris R.
>
>