These Things May Seem The Same, But They Have Some Pretty Important Differences

Moths Are The Ugly Step-Sister Of Butterflies

Photo credit: YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Blw Naturstudio/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

The easiest way to tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth is how they set their wings when they stand. A butterfly will always sit with their wings up, but a moth sets their wings back and down flat.

Another notable difference between the two is their antennae. A butterfly has smooth, rounded antennae but a moth has what they call “scissored” or feathery antennae. They also fly at different times. You can see butterflies during the day, but moths are nocturnal and mostly operate at night, which is why they’re always hoving around your outdoor lights.