What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly?

Answer 1

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Both are members of the insect order Lepidoptera, but moths belong to the "classical" group Heterocera, whereas butterflies belong to Rhopalocera.
Though this classification is no longer used (because the "moths" don't constitute a natural group), it highlights a useful character to distinguish moths from butterflies: the antennae of butterflies are club-shaped (thin, with an expanded tip), while those of the moths are more diverse and often feather-like.
This figure shows the typical shape of butterfly and moth antennae:
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=63162&re…

In general, moths have "fat" bodies, covered with lots of hair, and inconspicuous colors, while butterflies are more brightly colored, and their bodies are thinner and hairless. However, there are exceptions: beautifully colored moths, as well as drab butterflies.

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Asker's Comment:

It's just that I see them behave almost exactly the same in my garden.

Answer 2

I believe butterflies are just a type of moth.

Answer 3

http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/schools/bea…

Answer 4

Well one difference is that butterflies have clubbed antennae, while moths antennae look like feathers. Also, moths tend to rest with their wings flat, while butterflies fold them up over their back.

Answer 5

Moths make women go "eeeek!" and butterflies make women go "aaaaw."

Other than that, not much.

Answer 6

butterflies are more colorful and are mostly active at night...moths are active at night...they are usually brown...they are atracted to light when it is dark...

Answer 7

Because moths are active at night they are attracted to very fragrent flowers with a strong scent.
Butterflies find flowers by color.

Answer 8

in a nutshell
Moths are scary butterflies are not

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