Common Ground Despite diff erences, moths and butterfl ies do have a lot in common. Start with how these insects use some of their body parts. When they land on something, they tap, tap, tap with their front feet. T ey aren’t feeling it. T ey’re tasting it. T ey breathe through holes in their sides. T ey smell with their antennae. T eir wings are pretty amazing, too.


T ousands of tiny scales cover them. T e scales overlap like shingles on a roof. T ey protect the wings. On most moths, each scale is a single color. Together, they make swirls, spots, and other cool patterns. Moths and butterfl ies share another trait,


too. T ey start life the same way. T ey both begin as crawling caterpillars.


Scales on a sunset moth turn colors in sunlight, making it one of the most colorful moths.


Is this a moth or a butterfl y? Look at its antennae for a clue.


MAY 2011 5


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