Both butterflies and moths change into adults by the process of metamorphosis. Butterfly caterpillars make this change inside a hard shell called a chrysalis, while many moths spin a protective silk cocoon instead.
Most types of moth fly at night and rest with their wings open. Butterflies fly by day and usually rest with their wings closed. Most butterflies fly during the day, but some fly at sunset. None fly at night. The sun helps to warm up the butterfly. Butterflies are often beautifully coloured and some, like this peacock butterfly, have eyespot patterns.
If scared, a resting peacock butterfly can flash open its wings, using the eyespots to scare off predators. The bold colours of some butterflies warn predators that they are poisonous to eat. Most moths rest with their wings held in a tent-like way, hiding their bodies. The two front legs are short and the four rear legs are long. The wings are attached to the thorax and the muscles that move the legs and the wings are found in the thorax.
The abdomen contains the digestive, excretory, and reproductive organs. The bodies of butterflies and moths are covered with tiny sensory hairs. Butterflies and moths go through a four-stage metamorphosis.
They start as an egg. The larva , or caterpillar, hatches from the egg. The caterpillar eats and eats and grows. As the caterpillar grows, it molts or loses its skin! Moths have six segmented legs Canary-shouldered Thorn above left and two eyes located on either side of the head. The size of the eyes varies considerably according to species, perhaps indicating the different priorities some moths give to eyesight.
Many moths have a single tongue-like projection known as a proboscis located at the front of their faces which they use to feed Copper Underwing above right.
Some species such as the Humming-bird Hawk-moth have an elongated tongue which it projects deep into flowers to sip nectar. When not feeding the proboscis is retracted either into the mouth or curled up like a spring. However, many moth species do not feed and so do not have a proboscis. Two labial palps extending from the mouth are considered to be modified mouth parts and are again more pronounced in some species than others Copper Underwing above left.
There is some debate as to the purpose of palpi with some suggesting they provide a protective cover for the proboscis while others believe that they are covered in scent detecting glands and are used for detecting food. Moths have hearing organs hidden amongst the hair on their thorax at the base of their wings developing Emperor Moth male above right. Recent studies have shown these sensory organs are extremely sensitive but how much they can hear is still uncertain.
It is thought that their ears can detect the ultrasonic sound waves given off by bats and so take avoiding action and escape. Moth Anatomy. Moth Galleries. Moth Caterpillar Gallery. Species Guides. This site uses cookies. Some are essential and some improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is used.
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