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Moth

What is moth?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Order Lepidoptera[1]
Species worldwide About 160,000[1]
Life cycle Egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), adult (imago)[1]
Distribution Nearly worldwide[1]
Classification history Formerly placed in suborder Heterocera, now not used in modern classifications[1]

A moth is an insect in the order Lepidoptera, the same order as butterflies and skippers. With about 160,000 species worldwide, moths are a large, mostly nocturnal group. They include silk moths and hawk moths.

Context

Moths are insects in the order Lepidoptera, sharing this order with butterflies and skippers [1]. They are a very large group, with about 160,000 species worldwide, and are mostly nocturnal [1]. Moths undergo a complete metamorphosis with four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), and adult (imago) [1]. They are found nearly worldwide [1]. In older classifications, moths were placed in a suborder called Heterocera, but modern classifications do not use this grouping [1]. Moths are often confused with butterflies, but they can be distinguished by their antennae in general descriptions, though this is not a strict taxonomic rule [2].

Documented claims

  • Moths are part of the order Lepidoptera, which also includes butterflies and skippers. [1]
  • Moths have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. [1]

Related

Rosy Maple MothEn vanlig och farggram nordamerikansk art som lasare kan vilja lasa mer om.Cecropia MothEn av de storsta moth-arterna i Nordamerika, relevant for lasare som vill se exempel.Polyphemus MothEn kanda nordamerikansk art med karakteristiska ogonflackar, naturlig fortsattning.

Questions and answers

What is called a moth?

A moth is an insect in the order Lepidoptera, with about 160,000 species worldwide [1].

What does it mean if you see a moth?

Seeing a moth is not a sign of anything specific; moths are simply insects that are often attracted to light at night [2].

What causes moths around your house?

Moths may enter homes in search of food or light, but the specific causes are not detailed in the sources [2].

Sources

  1. Moths | Missouri Department of Conservation — mdc.mo.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. What Are Moths? Facts and Control Tips — moth-prevention.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature