Squeaks and I love exploring the outdoors, especially when we’re on the lookout for insects. One of our favorite insects is the butterfly. Do you have a favorite insect too? While searching for butterflies, we often come across another creature that looks similar but isn’t a butterfly. Can you guess what it is? That’s right, it’s a moth!
Butterflies and moths might look alike, but there are some clues to help us tell them apart. Let’s learn how to spot the differences!
The first clue is their antennae. Antennae are the two things that stick out from the top of an insect’s head. Butterflies and moths use them to sense their surroundings. A butterfly’s antennae are long and smooth with a tiny hook or bump at the end. In contrast, a moth’s antennae have lots of little hair-like parts, making them look like feathers.
Another way to tell them apart is by the time of day you see them. Butterflies are usually active during the day, while moths prefer the night. So, if you see a flying insect on a sunny afternoon, it’s likely a butterfly. If you spot one near a light at night, it’s probably a moth.
When resting, butterflies and moths often hold their wings differently. Moths tend to rest with their wings spread out flat, while butterflies usually keep their wings held up together. However, butterflies sometimes lay their wings flat to soak up the sun, so this clue can be a bit tricky.
Both butterflies and moths start as caterpillars, but they change into adults differently. Moths create a cocoon, a fuzzy silk case, to transform inside. Butterflies form a chrysalis, which is a smooth, hard layer of skin. Even though both serve the same purpose, they look different.
Now that we know how to tell butterflies and moths apart, let’s test our skills. Look at the antennae and wing position to decide if it’s a butterfly or a moth. Remember, smooth antennae and wings held up mean it’s a butterfly, like the blue morpho butterfly. Feather-like antennae and flat wings indicate a moth, such as the luna moth. And if you see a smooth, hard case, it’s a butterfly’s chrysalis, like the monarch butterfly’s.
We’ve become pretty good at spotting the differences between butterflies and moths, and I bet you will too! Do you have a favorite insect or animal you’d like to learn about? Ask a grown-up to help you leave a comment or send us an email at [email protected]. See you next time at the Fort!
