Kris Boren, age 12, Indianapolis, Ind., for her question:
DO MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DIFFER?
Yes they do, but you do not have to be an expert entomologist to tell which is which. Often you can tell by the clock, which sounds rather odd. If this method fails, there are certain plain physical features by which you can tell a moth from a butterfly.
About 90,000 of these wide winged insects have been named and classified. Scientists classify them—both the moths and the butterflies—in the order Lepidoptera, which is the second largest order of the animal kingdom. Only the beetle order is bigger.
There are more, many more, moths than butterflies, and some of them are very handsome. But the average butterfly tends to be more gorgeous. All these insects progress through four life stages—from egg to caterpillar to pupa and winged adult.
As a rule, the moths prefer to fly by night and the butterflies are creatures of the dazzling day. If you notice a gorgeous, wide winged insect fluttering around on a summer afternoon, he or she is most likely a butterfly. If you notice a velvety, wide winged insect flying around after dark, he or she most likely is a moth.
You can use a more accurate estimate if you wait for the insect to land. If he rests with his wings held straight up over his back, your subject is a butterfly. If he rests with his wings spread flat from his sides, then he must be a moth.
A closer inspection reveals physical differences. Both have sensitive antennas. The butterfly’s antennas are skinny spikes ending in small knobs. A moth’s antennas are shorter and usually tapered like feathery leaves.
The average butterfly has a long, slender body to match her long slender antennas. A moth’s body tends to be a little shorter and a lot wider. It is covered with furry threads and often her shoulders seem to wear a thick, furry shawl.
In almost all cases, an amateur nature lover can tell the moths from the butterflies by their bodies, their antennas and their day or night flying habits.
Members of this order are rated as the most advanced insects and certainly the most beautiful. True, many moths are drab little creatures, but the luna moth and many others are gorgeous. Almost all of the butterflies have large colorful wings, and some look like flowery petals bedecked with vivid jewels.