Both butterflies and moths are of the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Anthropoda, Class Insecta, and Order Lepidoptera. Insects in this order are distinguished from all others by their two pairs of scale-covered wings. Both butterflies and moths go through complete metamorphosis in which they lay eggs that larva hatch from, and go through a pupal stage where the final adult form arises. They have a strong sense of smell; females release a species-specific chemical compound called pheromones that is to be detected by the males. The lifespan of Lepidoptera is one to two weeks. They are beneficial in regulating plant growth and some are pollinators. But there are a few that are pests and compete with humans for resources.
Though butterflies and moths have many similarities, they are very different in many ways. Butterflies are generally brighter in color and fly during the day time. The wings of butterflies are larger and fold together when they are resting compared to the smaller, linked wings of moths. The color of moths are more dull, and they tend to be nocturnal and fly during the night time. Moths make cocoons that are wrapped in a silk covering while butterflies make chrysalis, which is hard and smooth.
Though butterflies and moths have many similarities, they are very different in many ways. Butterflies are generally brighter in color and fly during the day time. The wings of butterflies are larger and fold together when they are resting compared to the smaller, linked wings of moths. The color of moths are more dull, and they tend to be nocturnal and fly during the night time. Moths make cocoons that are wrapped in a silk covering while butterflies make chrysalis, which is hard and smooth.
The moth in "The Great Peacock Moth" is further identified to be in the Family Saturniidae, Genus Saturnia, and Species pyri. It is known to be the largest moth in Europe. It also goes by the names of the Great Peacock Moth, Giant Emperor Moth, and Viennese Emperor. They have very distinctive ringed eye spots on their wings and feather-like antennae, which are larger in males so that they are able to locate the females.
The butterflies in van Gogh's series are not as easily identifiable, but they all seem to be of the same species of butterfly; all of them consists of a pale yellow color with black spots. The butterfly that has the closest resemblance is of the Family Pieridae, Genus Pieris, and Species rapae. They are also known as the Small Cabbage Whites, and their color ranges from yellow to white. The image on the left shows a female butterfly. Females have two spots, whereas, males typically only have one. The Small Cabbage White is the most common butterfly; they have spread quickly around the world.
The butterflies in van Gogh's series are not as easily identifiable, but they all seem to be of the same species of butterfly; all of them consists of a pale yellow color with black spots. The butterfly that has the closest resemblance is of the Family Pieridae, Genus Pieris, and Species rapae. They are also known as the Small Cabbage Whites, and their color ranges from yellow to white. The image on the left shows a female butterfly. Females have two spots, whereas, males typically only have one. The Small Cabbage White is the most common butterfly; they have spread quickly around the world.