What Qualities Does a Moth Have That Makes it a Moth?

Wings

• Moths, as well as butterflies, have scaly wings, which distinguish them from other insects. The order, Lepidoptera, means "scaly wings." Moths and butterflies have two pairs of wings, the hindwings and the forewings, that are covered in rows of tiny overlapping scales. Typically, butterflies and moths rest their wings in different postures. Whereas butterflies tend to rest with their wings held upright together over their back, moths tend to fold their wings over their back. Moths also usually have drab colored, brownish wings while butterflies often have brightly colored wings.

Body and Antennae

• Moths are insects and like other insects, moths have bodies that consist of a head, an abdomen and a thorax -- or the part of the body where the wings and legs are attached. Unlike butterflies, however, moths usually have "hairy" bodies, which consist of modified scales. Moths have two antennae that they use for balancing and smelling. Typically butterflies have clubbed or hooked antennae while most moths lack clubbed antennae and instead have antennae that are feathered or tapered. Moths' antennae are also designed to assist them in locating a mate's scent, or pheromones.

Life cycle

• Moths, like butterflies, go through four stages of a life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa and adult. Moths begin their lives in eggs laid by their mother on or near host plants. When the egg hatches, a caterpillar emerges. Caterpillars go through different stages of molting or skin-shedding before the pupa stage. When a moth is ready to pupate, or begin transforming into an adult with wings and antennae, it sheds its skin one last time. Whereas a butterfly in its chrysalis or pupa form is often naked, the pupae of moths often form within silken bags, or cocoons, which the moth spins when it is a caterpillar. Moths like to form their cocoons in loose soil. When the moth emerges from its cocoon, it is an adult moth with wings.

Adaptation

• Moths do not have biting jaws or stingers so they must rely on other tactics, such as camouflage, to protect themselves. Both adult butterflies and moths can blend in with their backgrounds. Butterflies tend to be active during the day, while moths commonly are seen flying at night. Moths listen for the cries of bats and avoid them. Most moths that fly at night can camouflage themselves due to their dull-colored wings that blend in with tree bark, twigs and leaves.