Question

How do you differentiate a butterfly from a moth?
A. Moth has feathery antennae but butterfly has dub shaped antennae.
B. Moth has one pair of wings but butterfly has two pairs of wings.
C. Moth is diurnal but butterfly is nocturnal.
D. Moth has simple eyes but butterfly has compound eyes.

Answer 1

Hint: The best way to differentiate between a butterfly and a moth is to look at the morphological characteristics. Even though they look similar, there are some key differences between a butterfly and a moth. It is also important to observe the behaviour of the two species in order to differentiate them.

Complete answer:
One can differentiate a moth from a butterfly by looking at their antennae.
- Moths have stout and feathery antennae.
- Butterflies have long and slender antennae that have club-shaped tips.
So, at a first glance, this morphological difference can help us in differentiating between the two species.
Other than the antennae, some of the key differences between moths and butterflies are:
- Moths are nocturnal (active during the night), whereas butterflies are diurnal (active during the day).
- When the moths are at rest, they spread out and flatten their wings. On the other hand, when butterflies are at rest, they fold their wings.
- The wings of a butterfly are generally more colourful and vibrant than that of moths. Moths have duller wings.
- Moths have a special structure called frenulum that joins the hind wing to the forewing. Butterflies do not have any such structure.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera. There are more species of moths than butterflies. Both butterflies and moths undergo metamorphosis to become adults. They are holometabolous. The bodies of moths and butterflies are covered with scales that are modified hair. Butterflies can shed their scales throughout their lifetime.