Butterflies and Moths play an important role in the environment as pollinators and indicators of the health of ecosystems.
Butterflies and Moths can be seen throughout the spring and summer months, feeding on the nectar of flowers and basking in the sunshine. As they move from flower to flower in search of nectar, they transfer pollen from one plant to another, fertilising them and allowing them to produce fruit and seeds.
Butterflies and Moths are also an important food source for other animals, such as birds, lizards, and small mammals.
Butterflies versus Moths
Moths and butterflies as cousins in the insect world – they’re both part of the Lepidoptera order, meaning “scale-winged” because of the tiny, overlapping scales on their wings.
The easiest way to tell them apart is often by when they’re active: butterflies are generally diurnal, meaning they fly during the day, while most moths are nocturnal, coming out at night.
You’ll also notice differences in their antennae: butterflies usually have thin, club-shaped antennae with a little knob at the end, while moths often have feathery or thread-like antennae that can be quite elaborate.
When they rest, butterflies typically hold their wings upright over their backs, whereas moths usually spread their wings flat or fold them in a tent-like shape over their bodies.
Finally, butterflies tend to have slender, smooth bodies, while moths often have plumper, hairier bodies, which helps keep them warm during their nighttime adventures.
Butterflies
Moths
It has been reported that there are approximately 350 moth and micro moth species in the park.
We have very few in our gallery, can you help?
Caterpillars
Butterflies and Moths start life as caterpillars.
An egg hatches into a caterpillar, then enters a pupa stage, and finally emerges as an adult butterfly or moth.
Photographs on this web page were taken in Wollaton Park and are reproduced with the original artist’s permission. Copyright © for each picture remains with the original artist, who is duly acknowledged for their contribution.
On this page: Maurice Moore, Unni Williams (Red Admiral), Botanic Garden, Mark Searle (Orange Tips), Colin Robbins (Ringlet, Small Copper), Gary Thrall (Peacock), Nigel Downes (Yellow-legged Clearwing).