What Kind of Bug Is This? Common Bug Groups

Is It a Moth? How to Tell Moths From Look-Alikes

Moths: 4 marks to check, what they are often confused with, whether they bite or sting, and where they turn up, quoted from university entomology and IPM sources.

These pages help you narrow a bug down to its group from what you can see. They are not medical advice. Seek medical care promptly for severe symptoms or any sign of an allergic reaction.

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At a glance

Group: Order Lepidoptera, the same order as butterflies
Body plan: Adult moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) have coiled, siphoning mouthparts and two pairs of wings covered with scales.
Bites or stings: Not covered by the sources we opened; handle unknown bugs with care.
Where you find them: Some moths (such as clothes moths) occur indoors and are usually found close to infested items, in dark areas such as closets.

How to tell it is one of the moths

Antenna shape: moths typically have feathery or spindle-shaped antennae, unlike the slender, club-tipped antennae of butterflies.
Contrast (butterflies): butterflies are day-active, brightly colored, and have long, thin antennae with a knob on the end.
Resting posture: moths typically fold the front and hind wings over one another in a V-shape when at rest.
Contrast (butterflies): butterflies typically hold their wings vertically together over the body when at rest.

Often confused with

People most often mix moths up with:

Butterflies

Open the other page and compare its list against the marks above; the differences are usually in the antennae, wings or the way the body is divided.

Pest or beneficial?

In Kentucky gardens there are few pest butterfly species, but many moth pests.

Where they turn up

Some moths (such as clothes moths) occur indoors and are usually found close to infested items, in dark areas such as closets.

How to photograph it for identification

Get as close as your camera will focus, from directly above, in daylight or a bright lamp. Include the whole body with the legs and antennae in frame; a second shot from the side shows wings and body segments. Put a coin or ruler next to it for scale. For a bite or a bug found on skin or bedding, photograph the bug itself, not the mark. The app names the likely group; use the list above to confirm.

FAQ

Do moths bite or sting?

The sources we opened for this group do not describe bites or stings. Treat any bug you cannot identify with care and avoid handling it bare-handed.

What is the quickest way to recognize moths?

Antenna shape: moths typically have feathery or spindle-shaped antennae, unlike the slender, club-tipped antennae of butterflies.

Are moths a pest?

In Kentucky gardens there are few pest butterfly species, but many moth pests.

How do I tell moths from butterflies?

Antenna shape: moths typically have feathery or spindle-shaped antennae, unlike the slender, club-tipped antennae of butterflies. Contrast (butterflies): butterflies are day-active, brightly colored, and have long, thin antennae with a knob on the end. Contrast (butterflies): butterflies typically hold their wings vertically together over the body when at rest. The Butterflies page lists its own marks.

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