What do moths have on their wings. Some butterflies and moths have their eyespots hidden on their hindwings and will flash predators a startling glimpse of them. A moths scales which are actually tiny hairs help create the sometimes intricate patterns you see on his wings. Nocturnal moths on the other hand are usually plain brown grey white or black and often with obscuring patterns of zigzags or swirls which help camouflage them from predators as they rest during the day. Moths often have feather like antennae with no club at the end.
Moths are usually active at night and rest during the day in a preferred wooded habitat. If the scales do assist flight the effect is subtle. Moths tend to have thick hairy bodies and more earth tone coloured wings. These types of insects are identified by their scaly wings that emerge when theyre adults.
Moths have very long proboscis or tongues which they use to suck nectar or other. Most moths fly at night and sleep during the day so they dont need the bright colors of butterflies. Most butterflies have bright colours on their wings. Alessandro giusti curator of lepidoptera at the museum says many species eyespots have an interesting series of circles and in the middle there is a white part which almost mimics an eye reflecting light.
Moths and butterflies are classified as one order of insects. These patterns typically appear in dull colors such as brown and black. When perched their wings lay flat. The scales have at least four functions not necessarily on the same butterfly species.
The dust on butterfly and moth wings are modified hairs called scales. However many day flying moths are brightly coloured particularly if they are toxic.