Every adult moth and butterfly have a pair of antennae on their head. They use the antenna to detect odors and as a touching organ. Antenna vary in size among the butterflies and they greatly vary between moths and butterflies. Antenna is the best way to distinguish between moths and butterflies. Click here for close-up antenna drawings.
Butterflies have a very keen sense of taste.
The wings have overlapping scales on them that overlap just like shingles on a roof. These scales contain color or pigment. The purpose of the specific colored markings is to camouflage, to control temperature, for species recognition by other butterflies, and as an alert or warning to predators that they might not taste good. The scales are supported by veins that are inside the wing membrane. The wings are very large and lightweight in relation to other insects.