A few of the adults, such as female cankerworms, are wingless.
Metamorphosis is complete, the life stages being the egg, larva pupa, and adult.
The larvae of butterflies and moths are called caterpillars and have chewing mouthparts. The pupa of most moths is enclosed in a cocoon. Moths hide during the daytime and are active at night, while butterflies fly during the day and are inactive at night. Butterflies are usually brighter colored than moths, hold their wings upright when at rest, and have their antennae enlarged or knob-like at the tip. One group of butterflies, the skippers, have the tips of their antennae bent back like the handles of canes.