Butterflies vs. Moths: The Differences Between Them

Butterflies and moths are both insects of the order Lepidoptera, which encompasses about 140,000 species worldwide. There’s no hard and fast line that divides butterflies from moths, but in general:

• Butterflies have knobbed antennae; those of moths range
  from straight filaments to feathery or branched.
  
  
• Butterflies have smooth, slender bodies; moths tend to be
  plump and fuzzy.
  
  
• Most butterflies fly during the day; most moths fly at night.
  
  
• Butterflies generally rest with their wings held upright;
  moths spread them out.
  
  
• Most of the brightly colored Lepidoptera are butterflies.
  

Small Flambeau (Eueides aliphera) slender butterfly body form and clubbed antennae
	Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) plump moth with feathery antennae
Big Polar Sphinx Moth (Pachysphinx modesta) shows the body form of a moth and wing posture

Back to Butterfly Basics.