What Are Some of the Similarities of a Beetle & a Moth?

Phylogenetic Similarity

• Moths and beetles belong to the same kingdom, phylum and class. It is not until the subclass that their scientific classifications differ. As insects, both beetles and moths possess a body divided into three parts: a head; thorax, which can be divided into three segments (prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax); and abdomen, which can be divided into segments numbering from seven to eleven. Both moths and beetles have an exoskeleton made out of an N-acetylglucosamine polymer, chitin.

Visual Similarities

• Moths and beetles have a number of visual similarities. All insects possess three pairs of legs and two antenna and go through metamorphosis on their journey to adulthood. Both moths and beetles, after going through metamorphosis, emerge with two pairs of wings, although beetles only use one pair for flying, while moths use both pairs. While the difference between moths and beetles many be difficult to distinguish in flight, the distinction is more apparent when they are not flying -- the wings of a moth will remain horizontal, while a beetle's wings will vertically fold up.

Agricultural Pests

• Moths and beetles are both regarded not only as household pests but also as agricultural pests. Some species of moths cause significant damage to crops and forests, especially in the temperate regions and subtropics. Similarly, beetles can cause severe crop damage. There are hundreds of thousands of moth and beetle species, however, and while some target different plants and crops, many others cause no economic damage.

Benefits to Humanity

• Despite the agricultural harm inflicted by moths and beetles, they are not without benefit to humanity. The most notable commercial benefit of moths is the silk produced from cocoons of the silk moth -- to obtain a sufficient supply of silk, silk moths are commercially farmed. Beetles also benefit humanity by participating in the delicate balance of ecosystems. Beetles prey on other insects and thereby help to control certain pest populations. So while we have all been bothered by moths and beetles in the past, perhaps we just have to accept a love/hate relationship. Moths and beetles are both integral to a wide range of diverse ecosystems, and while most of us can deal with not having a silk sweater, the collapse of an ecosystem may be too much for humanity to handle.