When the sun goes down the horizon, the nocturnal pollinators come alive!
Butterflies are often known for their coloured wings, graceful flight and daytime pollination. But what about their close relatives who take over when the darkness falls? Meet the moths! Both butterflies and Moths belong to the order Lepidoptera, which means “Scaly wings” in Greek. Despite their similarities, they are very unique from each other. Butterflies usually have slender bodies, club-shaped antennae, and form a chrysalis during pupation. Moths are often stouter and hairier, with feathery, thread-like or spindle-shaped antennae. Many also spin a silk cocoon around their pupae. But the real magic begins when the sky turns dark. The moths are well prepared for the night. They possess highly developed sensory systems that help them survive in the darkness. Their well-developed vision allows them to navigate light, while their powerful chemosensory perception helps them find mates through pheromone communication, locate food sources and detect harmful predators. Some moths can ...
