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Handy Guide to Bugs: Lepidoptera - Butterflies and Moths |
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The most loved insects in the world - the colourfly butterflies, skippers and moths belong to this order. Lepidoptera comes from the Greek word "lepido" which means scales and "ptera" meaning wings as they have what looks like scales on all four of their wings. The scales are actually tiny flat hairs which create the dazzling colours and patterns.
Identifying the difference between a butterfly and a moth can sometimes be a little tricky, but here are some pointers:
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Butterflies usually are seen during the day whereas most moths are night flyers |
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When butterflies land they hold their wings close together while moths spread out their wings or curl them around their bodies. |
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Moths have feathery or straight antennae; butterflies meanwhile have knobs on the ends |
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The Butterflies |
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Anise Swallowtail, Papilio zelicaon |
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Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pterourus rutulus |
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Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui |
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Gray Hairstreak, Strymon melinus |
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The Moths |
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Plume Moth |
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Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth,
Malacosoma disstria |
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Large Yellow Underwing Moth, Noctua pronuba |
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Celery Leaftier Moth, Udea rubigalis |
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Small Magpie Moth, Eurrhypara hortulata |
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Cerisy's Sphinx Moth, Smerinthus cerisyi |
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Cinnabar Moth, Tyria jacobaeae |
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Emerald Moth, Hemithea aestivaria |
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