Differences Between Moths and Butterflies

Photo of male Gypsy Moth's feathery antennae and flat resting wings courtesy 123rf.com


Photo of  Silver-studded Blue Plebejus' clubbed antennae and vertical resting wings courtesy 123rf.com

I know one difference between moths and butterflies is when at rest moths' wings lie flat and butterflies' wings are held vertically; but when I look at pictures of them where all wings are displayed flat I haven't been able to tell the difference between the two.

Three other differences between moths and butterflies are:
1.  Butterfly antennae are clubbed on the ends, moth antennae are thin or feathery on the ends.
2.  Butterfly bodies are thin and smooth, moth bodies are thick and fuzzy.
3.  Butterflies are active in the day, moths are active at night.

By the way, butterfly pupal stage is called chrysalis, moth pupal stage is called cocoon.

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