Both belong to the order Lepidoptera . And yet their reputations are completely different. Butterflies are associated with colour, beauty, and sunshine, while moths are connected with night, the destruction of trees and clothes, and getting caught in people's hair. That's hardly a fair comparison between creatures that are often difficult to tell apart. Quite a few butterflies are cloaked in drab browns or greys, while a lot of moths are vibrantly coloured.
Some moths are pests, but most are harmless.
There are four stages in the life cycle of Lepidoptera . In the first stage, the adult lays eggs on or near the larval food plant. In the second stage, the larva, or caterpillar, spends most of its time eating and undergoes rapid growth. During its resting stage as a pupa, the caterpillar transforms into the winged moth or butterfly. The final stage occurs with the emergence of the adult Lepidopteran from its cocoon.