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National Moth Week 2023 -NW Library: Home

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What is National Moth Week?

Moths are one of the most diverse organisms on earth, with an estimate of 150,000 – 500,000 different species. Additionally, moths are important pollinators to crops and flora, and they are food sources to many animals. National Moth Week spotlights these creatures to celebrate their beauty and appreciate their essential role to the environment.

This year, National Moth Week is observed July 22nd - July 30th, 2023. 

Visit the National Moth Week Organization's webpage for more information regarding National Moth Week.

cartoon depictions of four moths in a row, of varying colors: green, burgundy, orange and spotted, and yellow.

Butterfly or Moth?

The easiest way to tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth is by looking at its antennae and its wing position.

 

Antennae

Butterflies and moths have differently shaped antennae. One way you can tell the two apart is by looking closely for these features:

  • Butterflies have skinny, club-shaped antennae with a long shaft and bulb at the end
  • Moth antennae are feathery or saw-edged

Sometimes you will see moths with antennae that appear skinny like a butterfly's, but after looking closer, you will see that they still have the saw-edges.

 

Wing position

You can also tell apart a butterfly from a moth by looking at how the insect holds its wings while resting:

  • Butterflies fold their wings up on their backs vertically
  • however, moths tend to display their wings flat against their body to hide the abdomen

cartoon depictions of four moths in a row, of varying colors: white, brown, spotted black and white, and tan.

The Tarrant County College District Libraries are pleased to provide a wide assortment of digital displays and online exhibits designed to educate, inform, entertain, and engage our entire community, and to help support the learning experience outside of the traditional classroom environment.  To view more of these web-based displays, visit our Digital Display Archive page.