Moth Pictures

Often they are described by comparing them with butterflies. Here are some of the most common comparisons.

While it does not hold for every example, moths are normally considered night Lepidopteras species, meaning they are active during the evening and night. Butterflies, on the other hand, are considered daytime Lepidoptera species, meaning they are active during the daylight hours.

In terms of physical features, moths are often characterized as having thicker bodies than butterflies. The absence of a club (or ball) at the end of the antenna also characterizes moths.

Another general rule of thumb is that butterflies have colorful wings, while moths have dull, brown wings.

That generalization holds for many, but not all moth and butterfly species. A high percentage of butterfly species in the Hesperiidae family (skippers) and Riodinidae family (metalmarks), for example, have brown color wings.

The moth pictures in this album show a representative sample of moth species with brightly colored wings and fit into seven different moth families.

• Clearwing Moths: Family Sesiidae
• Inchworm Moths: Family Geometridae - Erastria decrepitaria
• Owlet Moths, Miller Moths: Family Noctuidae - Black Witch Moth, Corn Earworm Moth, Underwing Moths
• Tiger Moths: Arctiidae - Cinnebar Moth, Tiger Moths, Wasp Moths
• Giant Silkworm Moths: Saturniinae - Polyphemus, Western Sheep Moth
• Sphinx Moths: Sphingidae - They are often called hummingbird moths because many species have robust bodies and can hover around flowers like hummingbirds. White-lined Sphinx Moth
• Prominent Moths: Notodontidae - White-dotted Prominent

© 2006-2011 Patricia A. Michaels