What is a Moth, and what’s the difference between a moth and a butterfly?

So what are we looking for when we look for moths?

The very simple answer is an insect with a narrow body and four wings that are covered in tiny scales.

Sounds a bit broad? Hmmm, If you try to add any more detail to the definition, you come across a lot of ‘buts’.

But…what about butterflies?

Well, it seems that butterflies are now formally classed as micromoths, even though some of them are quite big.

But…don’t all moths fly at night?

Well, a lot of them are night flyers, but there are also lots that fly in the daytime.

But…aren’t butterflies bright and moths dull and brown?

Some moths are dull and brown (though beautiful with it!) and some are brightly coloured and very flamboyant. Some butterflies are colourful and some are brown.

But… don’t butterflies have club-shaped antennae?

Moths can have similar shaped ones, though no butterflies have the feathery antennae sported by some of the moths.

The differences are more cultural rather than physical or genetic so it’s probably best to keep an open mind and think of them all together in your head if you can. Once you start looking, there’s bound to be a time when you’re looking at a ‘butterfly’ and can’t find it in the book because it’s a moth, or vice versa, and don’t get me started on micro moths! It’s a tricky one.

The official term for moths and butterflies is lepidoptera, and that includes the whole of the moth and butterfly families. There are around 2,000 different types of moth and around 60 types of butterfly in the UK. With so many to look at in field guides, starting off can feel totally overwhelming. This blog focuses on some that are pretty reliable flyers across the UK so that you can get used to what a moth is, what you’re looking for when trying to identify them, and then move on to expanding your range.