All the butterflies and
moths in our gardens belong to the Lepidoptera Family of
insects. They have a pair of wings covered with tiny
overlapping scales that give them their colors. A few
moth species are wingless.
Butterflies are
distinguished from moths by their slender bodies and
slender antennae with small clubs on the ends.
Both moths and
butterflies are not harmful in their
adult form. These critters
feed on nectar from flowers using their long, coiled
tongues. Some of them feed on sap from trees, rotting
fruit, carrion and animal droppings.
The larvae of several
species, however, are considered pests. Among these
would include gypsy moth caterpillars.
