The moths comprise the great majority of the 100,000 species of the order, and about 70 of its 80 families. The adult moth, like the butterfly, has sucking mouthparts, two compound eyes, and two pairs of wings that function as a single pair and are covered with flattened, dustlike scales. It is distinguished from butterflies by its stouter, usually hairy body and its unknobbed, often feathery antennae.
Most moths are nocturnal in their habits, while butterflies are mostly diurnal.
A moth flattens its wings against the surface on which it is resting, while a butterfly holds them horizontally. Many others have large, eyelike markings on the hind wings that are thought to frighten potential predators. Moth larvae, or caterpillars , are wingless and wormlike, with a row of simple eyes on either side of the body. They have chewing mouthparts and feed on leaves or other plant material. Many do great damage, such as the bee moth , the codling moth , the gypsy moth , the clothes moth , and the cutworm .