Fluttering Wings
Part I. SCIENCE LESSON
Learn About Butterflies and Moths
Parts of a Butterfly:
Can you tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth? At first glance, the two insect species have identical body structures they both have one pair of antennae, two pairs of wings (Fore wings and Hind wings), and six legs. Even their diet is the same. Both of them love drinking sugary liquids (such as nectar) through a long, strawlike feeding tube called a proboscis>. When a butterfly or a moth is not eating, it coils up its proboscis and stores it neatly under its head. Butterflies and moths feed on flower nectar, sap, rotten fruit and decomposing animals.
Moth -------------------------------------- Butterfly
Aside from the similarities, there are some differences between the two winged insect species:
A butterfly is usually more brightly colored than a moth.
A butterfly has a small, rounded knob at the tip of its antenna. A moth doesn't have the knob, and its antenna is either straight or featherlike.
We often see a butterfly during the day and a moth during the night. Moths are attracted light.
A butterfly has a long, slender body. A moth, in contrast, has a short, plump, hairy body.
A butterfly likes to rest with its wings folded upright over its back. A moth prefers to hold its wings flat.
3. Which are Butterflies and Which are Moths?
4. So Many Kinds and Colors
Wing color and pattern serve a variety of purposes, from attracting mates to warning predators or providing camouflage.
Butterflies and moths rely on different senses to help them find food. Because butterflies are active during the day, color plays an important role in survival. Brightly colored flowers often mean a food source. However, moths are usually only active at night and cannot rely on visible color to help them find food. Instead, moths rely on smell. Moths’ feather-like antennae have greater surface area that allows them to detect scents. Moths are often attracted to night-blooming flowers with strong smells.
For butterflies, bright colors are important for finding a mate. Male butterflies are often much brighter than females because they use their colors to attract the attention of female butterflies. Since finding a mate at night can be hard, female moths and some species of butterflies produce large amounts of pheromones, a kind of a scent that smells good to male butterflies and moths. Using their antennae, males can detect the pheromones of possible mates from great distances.
Some animals (for example, birds, bats, spiders, dragonflies, and mice) rely heavily on butterflies and moths as their food. Butterflies and moths have evolved defenses to avoid being eaten.
These include:
Warning coloration - a bold pattern and bright colors. Bright warning coloration, especially yellow-and-black, orange, or red, warn birds and other predators that such insects may bite, sting, or taste bad.
Camouflage - Moths and many butterflies, particularly females, have earth-tone colors or patterns that resemble tree trunks or leaves. This coloration allows them to avoid predators by blending into their surroundings.
Mimicry - Some butterflies and moths deter predators by mimicking the color pattern of other less edible species or other insects, plants, and animals. Some harmless butterflies and moths mimic the appearance of other insects that are poisonous or don't taste good. They “pretend” to be poisonous and predators avoid them.
Defense patterns - Eyespots on wings (circles on the wings) can make a butterfly or moth sitting in a tree look like the eye of a larger bird. Small birds stay away because they don't want the larger bird to harm them.
FUN FACT: There are about 240,000 types of moths and 20,000 types of butterflies. That's a lot!
FUN FACT: Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet? Their taste sensors are located in the feet, and by standing on their food, they can taste it!
