Can one tell the difference between the Caterpillar of a moth and that of a butterfly?

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 22 February 2005)

Caterpillars from some butterfly families

There are no general ways of distinguishing a butterfly Caterpillar from a moth Caterpillar. Butterflies constitute only half a dozen or so families out of the 100 or so in Lepidoptera in Australia: all the rest are moths. The Caterpillars of each family in the Lepidoptera have some general recognisable characteristics, butterflies included. But the Caterpillars of the various butterfly families differ from each other as much as the Caterpillars of each of all the other Lepidoptera familes.

For more information see our webpage :
"Identifying Australian Caterpillars"

Caterpillars from some moth familes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back to Frequently Asked Questions about Caterpillars

Link to Australian Lepidoptera on Australian Stamps

Link to Australian Butterflies on Overseas Stamps

Link to Australian Moths on Overseas Stamps

Link to Australian Butterfly Caterpillars

Link to Australian Moth Caterpillars

Return to Australian Caterpillars