8 August 2024
Bug Season continues this month as caterpillars pupate into adult moths and butterflies. What species have we found? The first step is to decide: Is it a moth or a butterfly? Clues include:
- Antennae: Feathers vs Knobs
- Flying: Night vs Day
- Wing Position At Rest.
To make matters more complicated, skippers are considered butterflies but they break the butterfly Wings At Rest rule.
For simple pointers to use in the field, check out this vintage article:.
(*) Details about the top photo: According to Wikimedia, the tussock moths Halysidota tessellaris (banded tussock moth) and Halysidota harrisii (sycamore tussock moth) cannot be told apart in the east by a photo.