Do any butterflies fly at night or is that just the prerogative of moths? Stuart Blackman takes a look
Gaudy, sun-loving exhibitionists versus subtle, introverted creatures of the night – there’s something of the yin and yang about butterflies and moths. But there are a few awkward characters out there that refuse to conform to expectations.
Is there a nocturnal butterfly species?
Among the moths, no one could accuse cinnabars, burnets, clearwings or hummingbird hawks of skulking under the cover of darkness. But it’s only in the past decade or so that it has been established that there are any nocturnal butterflies.
The 35 or so species of the family Hedylidae, known as American moth-butterflies, have long puzzled taxonomists.
Like butterflies, they rest with their wings open and have long, slim abdomens. But they have moth-like antennae and fly at night. In keeping with their nocturnal habits, they have developed a vision system that utilises a suite of light-sensitive molecules similar to those of moths and they are attracted to artificial lights.
Historically, they were lumped in with moths, but modern genetic techniques now place them solidly within the butterfly lineage.
Wondering how to tell the difference between moths and butterflies? Check out our handy guide.
More fascinating butterfly facts
Check out our expert guides, including can butterflies hear? And why do moths have ears and butterflies not?, how do butterflies smell? And what about moths?, butterflies of the UK: common species to see, how to submit sightings, and how they’re being helped and how does a caterpillar turn into a butterfly?
Main image: Macrosoma bahiata © James Sullivan, Research Collection of J. B. Sullivan