MOTHS, Difference between Butterflies and moths.

There are 180,000 moth species. Classed as primarily nocturnal flying insects.

Butterflies all have a lot in common, but moths have many differences, and as some of then are nocturnal, others are diurnal. Some Moths also visit flowers, and assist with pollination, but the majority do not eat at all.
To distinguish between a butterfly and a moth the following differences.
Butterflies form a monopholytic group, and moths do not. Butterflies have antennae with small clubs or balls at the end.
Moth antennae are feathery with no ball or clubs at the end.
Moths make cocoons from which full grown moths emerge. Some of their caterpillars make holes in the ground from where the moths will emerge as full grown moths.

There are however a few of the species related to Butterflies like the Giant Moths and Sphinx Moth and Geometer Moths,
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The Geometer Moth has a wingspread of over 2 inches, shows up during the night in wooded areas....and Inch wood caterpillars are in this species.

Some moths are truly beautiful and unique moths, and with such a variety within the species , an interesting and ongoing research.

The Moses cone moth is a nightmare for collectors, as the wings and body is so fragile that they cannot be pinned.

The Moses moth has an indistinct colour and looks, it folds its wings and can hide (like Moses of old) in and among vegetation or under plant material.
The spotted Philip moth.
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The fore wings are a deep yellow with four brown bands, it a wingspread of 2-5 inches.
Wood nymph moth .

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It is easy to to see how this moth uses its colour to camouflage in wooded areas.

Tulip beauty moth.

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Black bordered Lemon moth

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this moth has tiny legs.

Wood nymphs.
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Variety of colours makes this a lovely moth.

Tiger moths.
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Some moths that have attributes that are beneficial in human society. Others are looked upon pests as their caterpillars can wreck harvests or eat materiel.
Silk worm moths
Apart from been bred for the manufacturing of silk, the silkworm larvae are a delicatessen in some countries. Like China and other eastern countries.

In Southern parts of African the larvae of several species are a source of nutritional protein in the diet. In the Congo alone 30 species of of moth larvae is harvested and even exported yearly.

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the caterpillars are dried and eaten either as dried aor cooked with various herbs or onion and tomato.

Archaeology shows that moths were perhaps 190 millions years old. One of the discoveries found showed a moth with scaled wings.
I found the study of some of the moths interesting, Next time take a closer look at the moths in your vicinity, you might find them rather beautiful..even if they are in some cases like the clothes moth something that will eat your linens and natural fiber material!.