Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Moth or Butterfly?
I wondered as I watched them flit from flower to flower in my herb garden.
I’d assumed they were moths, and I was wrong.
“Butterfly or moth? There are ways to tell them apart. Butterflies generally have long, smooth antennae that are rounded on the ends, while most moths have thick, feathery antennae. Moths also tend to have larger, fuzzier bodies than butterflies. Most moths fly at night, while most butterflies fly during the day. Because of when they’re active, butterflies tend to be more colorful than moths, but that’s not always the case.
You can see another difference when they’re resting: most moths flatten their wings out over their bodies, while most butterflies raise them up and against each other. And although both butterflies and moths develop in a chrysalis, most moths also spin a protective cocoon.”
https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/butterfly-moth-and-skipper
It turns out these little flyers are called ‘skippers,’ of the group ‘Lepidoptera’ that includes all butterflies and moths. At one time they were considered to be a third category within the order but are now considered butterflies, of the distinct family Hesperiidae.
I suppose a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Still, a ‘moth’ doesn’t get the same respect as a ‘butterfly’ does, so I was happy this little skipper is a butterfly. Regardless, its a welcome pollinator in my garden.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Great post! I did t know the difference! 💕C
Thank you! I didn’t know the difference either! 🙂
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It looks like a moth to me.
Me too, but it’s a skipper, and is considered a butterfly! 🙂
Oh, okay! I find it so amazing that butterfoes can actually migrate all the way south into South America or at least Mexico. They are so fragile!
Yes, so many varieties of butterflies!
Thanks – great post. Very informative. Have to say though, whether moth or butterfly, I love them all. There are many truly spectacular moths out there, too.
Thank you. Yes, I agree! 🙂
We have a few butterflies that have been taking trips around the yard each day, and they make for a minute or two of fun watching them doing their daily thing. I love ’em all, whether they be butterfly or moth.
I love them too! I’ve been watching the swallowtails in my garden for the past month or so but they don’t land often so it’s been harder to get photos. These skippers are so plentiful in my garden so it’s been fun to watch them closeup. 🙂
Great photos, Susanne. Love the in-flight one. We get skippers around here and they do have a moth-like appearance.
Thanks, Graham. I didn’t realize they were butterflies till I looked it up.
Butterflies don’t flap around your house lights at night. That’s about all I know of their differences to moths. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
True! Butterflies are out during the day while moths fly at night. Since they evolved to navigate by the moon they’re attracted by bright light. Or so I just read. 😊
Lovely butterfly photos! Glad you were able to identify them 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! They were so small I thought they were moths, so it was fun to learn all about them!
Thank you!! Now I can explain the difference to my granddaughters!!
Wonderful! 🙂