Within the arthropods, we find the insects, the most diverse group not only of the phylum to which they belong, but of all the animals that exist on the planet. Butterflies, which correspond to the order Lepidoptera, are a type of insect. On the other hand, butterflies with nocturnal habits are also commonly known as moths (although scientifically this is not the case) using more generally the term butterfly for those with activity daytimeHowever, they can also be differentiated by certain anatomical aspects, but it must be taken into account that they are not absolute criteria for their classification.
We invite you to continue reading in this article on our site, in which we want to present information about the night butterflies, types and characteristics.
Characteristics of moths
Night butterflies have a number of characteristics, some are unique to the group, while others are shared with day butterflies. Let us know below the traits that define nocturnal butterflies:
- As a distinctive feature of Lepidoptera, they have, both on their wings and in other areas of the body, flattened scales: which are of great importance in the reproductive process, to camouflage and achieve flight stabilization.
- A characteristic that distinguishes them from diurnal butterflies is that their antennae are threadlike or feathery in appearance, without bulges at the tips.
- Generally they have colors that are not so vivid: with more uniform and monochromatic patterns, although there are exceptions such as the Madagascar sunset moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus) who presents a beautiful coloration.
- Most moths are nocturnal, but some others have diurnal habits.
- Night butterflies contain the greatest diversity of species of Lepidoptera.
- They have a life cycle made up by phases: the egg, the larva or caterpillar, pupa or chrysalis, and adult or imago. To reach this last stage they go through the process of metamorphosis.
- Night butterflies have ultrasonic hearing organs: many of them produce sounds for sexual communication.
- They have the ability to produce silk to protect themselves in the larval stage and they also wrap themselves in cocoons for the pupal stage.
- It is estimated that nocturnal moths proliferated in the Cretaceous.
- Various species have migratory habits.
- Certain species have an extraordinary ability to imitate other animals.
- Some moths in their caterpillar phase generate significant agricultural damage
- Various types of these insects are excellent pollinators.
- They form an important part of the food webs in the ecosystems they inhabit.
Types of moths
As we mentioned before, moths include most of the Lepidoptera, so they are very diverse. Depending on the type of antennae they have, they are included in the group known as Heteroceros, which means variety of antennae.
For convenience, and without systematic basis, a classification is eventually used within these insects with nocturnal habits, so they are divided into:
- Macrolepidoptera: those with wings less than 1 centimeter.
- Microlepidoptera: those with wings greater than 1 centimeter.
There are many families of types of nocturnal butterflies, below, we present the most representative or those that have an important variety of species.
Noctuidae
Members of this large family, which has more than 10 thousand species, are often referred to ascutworms , armyworms or owl moths (Noctua pronuba). They have a global distribution, except in Antarctica, although some species are in certain cold areas. Various members of the family are agricultural pests
Geometridae
The geometrids, as they are known, are also a family with a great variety of species, more than 20 thousand species are estimated. The larval stage is known as inchworms, since when they move they seem to measure the land. They can also be pests and are widely distributed in Asia, America and Europe.
Arctiidae
With around 11,000 species, they are known as butterflies tiger moths (Arctia villica) and the larvae as woolly worms. They are present in many parts of the world and are a classic example of nocturnal butterflies (although there are adults and larvae with daytime activity) that have organs to produce and perceive ultrasonic sounds
Sphingidae
Butterflies sphinx moths or hawk moths, are a less numerous group compared to the previous ones, however, they are grouped around 1.400 species. Some have peculiar flights, as they are able to float while feeding like hummingbirds. They are mainly present in the tropics.
Tortricidae
Butterflies tortrix moths or leaf rollers, are species with a significant economic impact on agriculture. Some 11,000 species have been identified, with a global distribution.
Drepanidae
Some members are known as hook-tip butterflies because the apex of the wings resemble these objects, while, Other species of this type of moths are called false owl moths, due to their resemblance to that group. In the case of larvae they have a variety of shapes depending on the species.
Alucitidae
They are known as multi-feathered wings, because these structures have been modified to resemble those of a bird. There are a little over 200 species and they are distributed in temperate and subtropical zones.
Crambidae
Many are known as butterflies grass moths for their ability to camouflageon this type of vegetation, some have attractive colors. About 10 thousand species are included. Its presence is also global.
Notodontidae
The common name of the group is prominent moths, due to their heavy body and long wings , also, some are known as kitten moths. The nearly 4 thousand species, although they have a wide distribution, have a greater presence in the tropics of the American continent
Limacodidae
This family is known as slug moths or cup moths, in the first case because the caterpillars resemble a slug, in the second, by the shape of the cocoon they build. Contains almost 2.000 species described, with a presence mainly in tropical regions.
Saturniidae
In the saturnids there are around 2,300 identified and in this group are the largest species in the world, for example, the known as emperor moths, king moths, and giant silk moths. Although they have a wide global distribution, most are found in tropical and subtropical areas.
What do moths eat?
Night butterflies maintain the type of feeding common to Lepidoptera, which corresponds to a herbivorous diet, although some may consumeanimal fat and remains of other insects.
The phases or stages in which they eat actively correspond to the caterpillar stage and the adult stage. We can see them as follows:
- Caterpillar stage: they usually ingest large quantities of the plants where the eggs were placed and when they emerge from these they start feeding. They also move to other plants when the food they are on begins to run out. Depending on the species, they can feed on different plant organs.
- Adult stage: For their part, adults suck mainly liquids, such as nectar, exudates from plants or fruits, as their digestive system is adapted for suction feeding.
A curious fact is that there are species of these insects that in their adult stage do not consume food , as they have or lack vestigial mouthparts, so they are only few days oldIn these cases, the imagoes have a fundamental reproductive function, once the process is completed, they die. Some examples are found in the Saturniidae and Limacodidae families.
Are moths dangerous?
Night butterflies are practically harmless in their adult stage, eventually they can develop some toxicity, for smaller predators, but they do not they usually affect people and in the case of pets, if they were to consume it, it does not cause major problems.
However, in the caterpillar stage some species have highly stinging hairs, that they can cause important allergic problems, as is the case of the species known as pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), among others.
On the other hand, many species also in the larval stage cause significant agricultural damage, as they become pests that feed on crops used for human consumption, for example codling moth (Epiphyas postvittana) and summer fruit tortrix (Adoxophyes orana).
