Butterfly vs. Moth - What’s the Difference?

Summary

This table shows you the most important differences between butterflies and moths at a glance.

Butterfly

• Feelers: Fine, small rounded ends
• Body: Thin, smooth
• Active: Mostly during the day
• Wings: Closed when relaxed
• Colors: Mostly bright and colorful

Moth

• Feelers: Feathery, thick; small combs
• Body: Fuzzy, hairy
• Active: Mostly at night
• Wings: Apart when relaxed
• Colors: Mostly plain; lots of browns

Ornithoptera Euphorion - Photo: Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock

• Table of Contents
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Feelers
• 2. Body
• 3. Time of Activity
• 4. Wings
• 5. Colors
• 6. Summary With All Differences

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