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23rd April 2024One of the many joys of having a wildlife pond in your garden is observing the variety of wildlife that it attracts. The native water plants will provide nectar for visiting butterflies and moths for example, and will also be a food source for larvae and caterpillars.
These creatures are not only a vital part of the ecosystem, but they often have beautiful colouring and marking, and are enchantingly fluttery, delicate and eye-catching. However, many people mistakenly assume that they are watching a butterfly when in fact it is a moth. Here’s a look at how to spot the difference between them.
Moth myth-busters
Unfortunately, moths can get a bad rep because many people associate them with the dull brown house moths that flutter around lights at night, and eat holes in their favourite cashmere jumper. Clothes moths are about 5-7 mm long and are attracted to natural fibres such as cotton and wool, because the larvae feed on the keratin content.
To avoid an unwelcome infestation of clothes moths, always store clothes that have been freshly washed, because they prefer dirty garments with traces of sweat and skin. If you are not going to wear a garment for a few months, put it in a sealed bag. Dust and vacuum regularly, especially if you have wool carpets.
However, The Wildlife Trust explains that there are around 2,500 species of moth in the UK, and some are very colourful and are active on warm sunny days, just like butterflies. In fact, some butterflies are grey and brown and are only active at night, and some moths have vivid and beautiful colouring and prefer the daytime.
Ultimately, butterflies and moths are members of the Lepidoptera group, so it is not surprising that they share many of the same characteristics.
The key differences to look out for
Antennae shape
Most butterflies have ‘club-shaped’ antennae, while moths usually have tapering antennae that may also have a feathery appearance. There are some exceptions to this rule however, as BBC Wildlife Magazine explains. For example, the dingy skipper butterfly and the six-spot burnet moth have similar shaped antennae.
Resting position
Another good tip is to observe the creature when it is perching: butterflies usually fold their wings vertically over their backs, whereas moths tend to hold their wings horizontally when they are resting. However, this is just a general rule and there may be some exceptions.
Wing structure
Moths have a tiny bristle-like structure known as frenulum that hooks their front and hind wings together, and allows the wings to move together during flight. Female moths have a row of small multiple bristles, while male moths have a larger single bristle. European species of butterfly do not have a frenulum.
Habitats
Moths and butterflies do share habitats, but there are also differences. For example, moth caterpillars typically live on broadleaf trees, whereas few butterfly caterpillars do. Moth species are also more likely to be attracted to wetland habitats, so you may notice them visiting your pond more often than butterflies.
Unfortunately, the numbers of many species are declining due to habitat loss, changing land use, pesticides, pollution, and climate change. For example, The Guardian reports on the results of the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, which is described as the largest and longest-running scientific butterfly dataset in the world.
This year’s results have shown a sharp decline in numbers of the small tortoiseshell butterfly of 82 per cent. Scientists believe that this may be due to after effects of the 2022 drought, which caused many of the food plants that caterpillars feed on to die.
However, global warming has caused numbers of other species to rise, including the red admiral, probably because it is overwintering in the UK rather than migrating to hotter parts of the world.
Which pond plants will attract moths and butterflies?
Always choose native plants rather than exotics, which are not a natural source of food or pollen. Flowering pond plants such as Cuckoo flower, Forget-me-not, and Purple loosestrife will attract pollinators. Some species of moth will breed on pond plants with long stems, and also use them as a food source for caterpillars.
Other plants that are a good food source for various species of butterfly larvae are Common cotton grass, Devil’s bit scabious, the native primrose (Primula vulgaris) and Watercress. We can certainly attest to the latter as the leaves of Watercress in our nursey are regularly decimated by the larvae of the Green-veined white butterfly!
To encourage more moths and butterflies in your garden, leave piles of leaves or twigs overwinter where chrysalises can develop. Don’t be too fastidious about weeding, as the caterpillars will use them for a food source. Moths also favour trees and shrubs for breeding.