Are Butterflies Moths?

[mbpi at juno.com]

Hi all,

Once again, I'd like to open up another "can-of-worms..."

Do all on this listserv agree that butterflies are moths, as the Cladists
assert?  Not having done any research myself on this assertion, I'd like
to know if this is an accepted position in the taxonomic hierarchy.

And getting back to my tribe of eclectic tent-dwellers and behavioral
observations:  some visitors remarked on a curious behavior that appears
to be predominant in the Julias.  They like to stand on each others wings
(no proboscis "vacuum cleaning" observed, however...).  The recipient of
the "wing standing" tends to be an older, worn individual, with the
"stander" placing itself at an angle on one of the recipient's wings. 
They just sit there...like two communal comrades...as if anticipating the
impending demise of the worn individual (!)  

Okay, so I'm becoming sentimental in my anthropomorphizing!  It's still
interesting to watch.

Mary Beth Prondzinski
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