Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies remain summer's little happy campers while Moths are generally viewed as pesky.
Butterflies (and the related Skippers) are the quintessential summertime insect across North America, representing 760 complete species while a full 12,000 are known to roam North America and some 165,000 have been categorized worldwide. Moths are similar creatures and their differences abound but all of these insects fall under the encompassing order name of Lepidoptera. Similarities between Butterflies and Moths include their scale-like hairs that cover their respective bodies and deliver their various recognizable patterns and colors along the wings that we see. Nearly all species have a long, coiled tongue known as a proboscis which allows them to suck nectar and pollen (among other food sources depending on species).
All Lepidopterans begin life from an egg (either individually or in groups) laid by a female. The egg then produces a larva which is commonly known as a caterpillar. The caterpillar matures through complete metamorphosis to emerge in its final form. The cycle is then repeated in future generations to ensure species survival. Moths will cocoon in secure locations, even in soil, while Butterflies pupate out in the open, suspended upside down from a tree or similar structure by silk. Caterpillars themselves are quite different from their winged brethren for they crawl by nature and cannot fly. Instead of sucking mouthparts, caterpillars have chewing mouth parts and their heads also contain simple eyes and smallish antenna. Thoracic legs are at the front of the body while anterior prolegs bring up the rear of the segmented body. Caterpillars manage on a diet of live plants, dry fruits and dry human foods. Some species are predatory and hunt other insects while others can digest animal byproducts such as wool. While generally slow when crawling and ripe for the taking by predators, caterpillars usually maintain some form of inherent defense mechanisms that make them unsuitable for eating or even handling. Some caterpillar species are also known to spin silk from their spinnerets found on their labium.
Identifying the different types of Butterflies and Moths involves some detective play. Butterflies are noted for their long thin antenna which have what appear to be clubs at their ends whereas Skippers feature similar protrusions but the ends are hooked. Moth antennas come in two varying styles - a traditional long, thing and straight antenna or a similar "featured" version. In a Butterfly, the forewing and hindwing are not connected whereas in a Moth, they are. While Butterflies stay active during the day, moth species can be active in day or night and, when resting, a Butterfly will stand its wings vertically or spread open whereas a Moth will set them to the sides of its body.
There are 39 Butterflies and Moths in the Insect Identification database.
Those listed below are showcased in alphabetical order.
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
The definitive coloring and stripes on this moth make it unique among Webworm Moths. They tuck and roll their wings close to ...
American Lady Butterfly
This butterfly prefers sunny, open habitats like fields, canyons and meadows.
They migrate south for the winter and return...
Black Swallowtail
The black swallowtail mimics the Pipevine Swallowtail on the female with her banding spots.
Most of the desert populations...
Cabbage White Butterfly
The white wings of this species have charcoal gray tips and 1 (male) or 2 (female) black spots in the center of each forewing...
Clouded Sulphur
This species can be seen in fields, along roads, in parks and other places with mud and/or flowers.
They are very simila...
Clymene Haploa Moth
The bold coloring of this moth distinguish it physically. Behaviorally, it departs from most other moths as well in that it ...
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
These moths get their name from their caterpillar behavior. Together, caterpillars create a tent of silk as a 'home' on the ...
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails have a bright tiger-like striping pattern with the males showcasing a mostly-yellow coloring with ...
Edwards Glassy Wing Moth
The wings on this moth shimmer in the light, giving it part of its name. Its pinkish red abdomen is visible when wings are sp...
Fiery Skipper
This species can be seen flying on grass (lawns), fields and forest openings. Larvae feed on grass.
Though a butterfly,...
Forage Looper Moth
As caterpillars, looper moths tend to move with a looping gait.
Moths are usually seen feeding on grasses, clover and ragw...
Giant Leopard Moth
This white tiger moth has distinct black rings as well as black spots along its wings. They can grow to large sizes, fitting...
Giant Swallowtail Butterfly
This is the largest species of butterfly in North America.
They can be found in gardens, at the edges of forests or citus ...
Gray Hairstreak Butterfly
Adults can be seen in open fields, parks, woods and gardens. It basks in the sun with its wings open, unlike other hairstreak...
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly
This tropical butterfly has short hairs on its front legs, making it part of the 'brush footed' butterfly family.
The cate...
Hummingbird Moth
Fast beating wings give it the appearance of a small hummingbird but the moth lacks the long beak. The wings are usually tran...
Long-tailed Skipper
The long 'tail's on the tips of each forewing helped name this butterfly. Most of the forewings are brown with white spots b...
Luna Moth
This pale green moth can be found in hardwood forests. They are greatly attracted to lights at night. A member of the Silkm...
Mimosa Yellow Sulphur
The Mimosa Yellow closely resembles the Barred Yellow Sulphur, which lacks dark dots, as well as the Little Yellow Sulphur, w...
Monarch Butterfly
Monarch Butterflies are a common sight throughout North America, with the exception of the extreme northern regions. Their or...
Pandorus Sphinx Moth
This hawk moth boasts a healthy size. Adults drink nectar from various flowers so they are likely to be seen in gardens and ...
Pearl Crescent Butterfly
Adults can be seen most anywhere: fields, roadsides, forest clearings. Coloring variations within the species is not uncommon...
Pipevine Swallowtail
This butterfly mimics the coloring of several other butterflies, including the Spicebush and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Ru...
Plume Moth
Their thin body and 'T' shape make this moth unique. Their wings have the appearance of a plume (feather) and when at rest, ...
Polka Dot Wasp Moth
Polka Dot Wasp Moths are common to tropical climates and make their North American home in the Southeastern United States, ap...
Polyphemus Moth
This member of the Giant Silk Moth family is both large and furry. The antennae are feathery. Eyespots on the wing are oval-...
Saddleback Caterpillar
This highly unusual caterpillar becomes a brown moth as an adult. The caterpillar stings and this can sometimes leave a rash...
Silver-spotted Skipper
This ubiquitous skipper can be found in a diverse variety of habitats. They are very common in eastern North America, but are...
Small-eyed Sphinx Moth
A member of the Hawk Moth family, the size of this species is startling. Females can average 3" while males are usually smal...
Snowberry Clearwing Moth
Though this species looks like a bee, it does not land on flowers as bees do. Instead, it hovers in front of the flower to c...
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
This spcecies of butterfly can be found in gardens and at the edges of forests.
Its coloration resembles that of the Pipev...
Tersa Sphinx Moth
The large, stiff wings of this moth may give it the appearance of a small bird. Their size and projection at the tip of their...
Tobacco Hornworm Moth
The name of this moth likely comes from its appearance as a caterpillar. The green body has black and white diagonal stripes...
Vine Sphinx Moth
This moth bears a striking multi-faceted pattern of lines and stripes. Its hindwings show pink patches when they are visibl...
Walnut Sphinx Moth
Native to deciduous woodlands, Walnut Sphinx Moths are highly common throughout Missouri with limited appearances in certain ...
Wasp Moth
This moth mimics the coloring of a wasp as a measure of protection. Predators are less likely to attack if they believe they...
White-lined Sphinx Moth
Sphinx moths are larger than most moths. This species is active during the day and at night. They are attracted to lights an...
Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth
The adult moth has yellow coloring with black dots on its forewings, but pink coloring and gray dots on its hindwings.
T...
Zebra Butterfly
This beautiful butterfly is a common site throughout most of the Gulf States, only rarely appearing the other states mentione...
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