Similarities Between Moths And Butterflies

So you would think that despite the fact that there are visible differences between moths and butterflies, there would also be a number of similarities.  And, of course, there are!

The most common and widely spread order of insects is Lepidoptera, and both of these flying delights belong to it. 

I found the word, Lepidoptera, so interesting that I had to share some facts.  The word was coined by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in 1773 and is derived from the Latin word for scaly wing.  In all, there are over 170,000 species in this order that are known.  There may be more.  That’s right – more beautiful butterflies to admire and more moths to eat your clothes!

But back to some more similarities.  They all go through four life cycle stages – egg, larva, pupa and adult. 

They all also have tiny three dimensional scale-like structures on their wings, which serve a couple of different purposes. The first is the more well-known effect: creating the colours of the wings.  These structures also assist in thermoregulation and flight.  In males, the scales play a part in the production of pheromones – so crucial in the courtship and mating ritual. 

The benefits to humans of these insects include the pollination of plants, essential in food production.  Some moths and butterflies produce certain chemicals in their bodies that may, for example, be used in the production of antibiotics.

In studying symbolism, both moths and butterflies have had their run at it.  In ancient Greek mythology moths and butterflies were sometimes associated with death.  In Japan a butterfly was seen as representative of a person’s soul.  In China, two butterflies flying together symbolize love.  Some feel that moths symbolize sensuality because moths are attracted to light much as sensuality involves physical attraction. 

So whether a moth or a butterfly, they are similar in that they have their own form of beauty.