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Animal World

Arthropods: Crustaceans, Insects, and Spiders

How does a butterfly differ from a moth?

Characteristic Butterflies Moths
Antennae Knobbed Unknobbed
Active-time of day Day Night
Coloration Bright Dull
Resting wing position Vertically above body Horizontally beside body

While these guidelines generally hold true, there are exceptions. Moths have hairy bodies, and most have tiny hooks or bristles linking the fore-wing to the hind-wing; butterflies do not have either characteristic.

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