Moths differ from diurnal moths not only in their way of life, but also in appearance. There are many Lepidoptera who love darkness, and the most common among them are moths. Some exotic moths can be kept at home.
What is the difference between night butterflies and daytime ones
Butterflies, both day and night, belong to different groups of the order Lepidoptera. The body of moths is more voluminous and furry, and the wings, on the contrary, do not differ in large size. The color of those who like to fly at night is dim, velvet gray or chocolate. But there are also moths with a bright warning color, as well as among day moths you can see nondescript individuals.
Moths within their group are generally very similar in appearance, unlike their daytime relatives, which amaze with the variety and luxury of shapes and colors. Their body is densely covered with the finest hairs and transparent scales.
In moths, sensory structures are arranged in a special way, this is due to the need to move in the dark. These insects have a very delicate sense of smell, with the help of it they find food and mating partners.
Moths have hearing organs, and day moths are deprived of the ability to hear. The eyes of both groups of butterflies are approximately equally developed and capture movement better than forms. In the dark, you can often observe how moths flock to the light source and circle around it.
The main types of moths
Moths or Pyralidae are small moths and many of their species are pests. When folded, the wings of the moth take the shape of a triangle.
True moths (Tineidae) and fingerwings (Pterophoridae) are also small moths. The edges of their wings are decorated with a fringe of gray scales.
Caligo Eurilochus, or owl butterflies, are very beautiful. These large insects with gorgeous wings reach 20 cm. On the lower wings of the caligo there is a pattern that resembles the round eyes of an owl. This protective coloration frightens off birds of prey who are happy to eat butterflies. An owl butterfly can be kept at home, because it does not require exotic food and eats ordinary overripe bananas.
Sphingidae are also incredibly spectacular large butterflies that resemble hummingbirds. They scare off predators with a "dead head" pattern on the back.
Peacock eyes (Saturniidae) are wide-winged very large butterflies with a thick body. On the wings of these insects there is also a pattern with eyes.
Leaf rollers (Tortricidae) are pest butterflies. Their folded wings resemble a bell. The most dangerous pests from leaf rollers are the apple moth and the spruce budworm.
Bears (Arctiidae) are brightly colored, have a medium size and a hairy plump body.
