Are swallowtails considered moths?

The swallowtail is not a moth, but a type of butterfly. Butterflies and moths both belong to the order Lepidoptera, but they have some differences in morphology, ecology, and behavior.

Here are some differences between butterflies and moths:

Antenna morphology: The antennae of butterflies are usually slender with bulbous or hook-shaped ends, and the base of the antennae is thicker. The antennae of moths are usually more feathery and complex in shape, without a sheath-like base.

Fine scales: Butterflies have bright colors and fine scales on their wings, often showing patterns and spots that attract attention. In contrast, moth wings are usually gray, sometimes with vague texture, and the overall color is relatively dull.

Activity time: Butterflies are mainly active during the day. They have good vision and flight abilities, and are good at flying between flowers to find food and mates. Most moths are active at night, and their vision is relatively poor. They mainly rely on chemical sensing to search for food and mates.

Quiet posture: Butterflies often raise their wings and fold them together when at rest, while moths usually rest with their wings spread flat at their sides or covered behind their backs.

Papilio is a species of butterfly that has the characteristics of a butterfly. Papilio butterflies have beautiful colors and patterns, and have slender antennae. They are mainly active during the day, and usually raise and close their wings when they are still. Therefore, from the perspective of classification and characteristics, the swallowtail butterfly is not a moth, but a type of butterfly.

animal tags：