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Species or hybrid? Skippers are fascinating insects that populate my garden the latter part of summer into fall. They exhibit characteristics of both butterflies and moths, but which one are they? They fly like stealth bombers but have thick chunky moth-like bodies.



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Answers

 

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth is to look at the antennae. A butterfly’s antennae are club-shaped with a long shaft and a bulb at the end. A moth’s antennae are feathery or saw-edged.

14 Aug, 2020

 

OK but these have a long shaft with a feathery thing at the end. They are also diurnal, yet have stout fuzzy moth-like bodies.

14 Aug, 2020

 

They are butterflies, having clubbed antennae. Moths have feathered or combed antennae as Owd says. Most butterflies land with wings vertical over their backs unless when sunning them selves and fly during the day. [though there are a few diurnal moths with vertical wing placements the early Thorn for example]
they are thought to be one of the earliest group of butterflies to have evolved from moth like ancestors. Hairy bodies are not unknown especially for those in colder climes.

I did an article for a gardening group about moths in our garden. I will copy it onto GoY.

14 Aug, 2020

 

Ok Eileen thanks I'll be looking for your article. Let me know when it's up.

14 Aug, 2020

 

gardening with moths in mind is now posted Paul.

15 Aug, 2020

How do I say thanks?

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