What’s the difference between butterflies and moths? Let’s check out.
Things Required:
Coat hanger
Pillowcase
2 large jars
Stocking
2 rubber bands
Broom handle or long stick
Butterfly and moth (instructions for catching below)
Directions:
Make an insect net by bending a coat hanger into a hoop. Attach the pillowcase to the hoop and secure the ends of the hoop to the broom handle. (This can be done by twisting the ends of the wire around the handle.)
Use the insect net to catch a butterfly and a moth for this study. Place the captured insects in separate jars. You can remove them from the pillowcase net by holding the net over the jar and gently shaking out the insect.
Cover both jars with a piece of stocking and secure with a rubber band.View both insects through the glass and record their similarities and differences.
Do they hold their wings the same? How about the shape of their antennae? Are they the same? Is there any difference in the size of their abdomens? You can discover the answers to these questions and record more differences between these two insects simply by visual observation.
This Is What Happens:
Butterflies and moths are similar in the number of legs, wings and antennae they have. They are different in the way that the wings are held, the shape of the antennae and the abdomen. Other differences and similarities are not visually obvious.
Science Behind It:
Both butterflies and moths have three pairs of jointed legs, two pairs of wings that are covered with tiny scales which produce their brilliant colours and patterns. One should try not to touch their wings because even light pressures can remove scales and seriously injure the insect. Though butterflies and moths resemble yet they still have very distinctive characteristics. The butterfly holds its wings upward while resting and the moth rests with its wings spread out. Both insects have slender, jointed, movable appendages on their heads called antennae. The butterfly’s antennae is slender and clubbed at the end. The moth has all shapes and sizes, but it is never clubbed. Most of them are feathery. The body and abdomen of the moth is thicker and larger than the slender-shaped butterfly. For more information about these insects, use a reference guide.
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