MY PAINTINGS OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS - Dr Chirasri Jayaweera Bandara

MY PAINTINGS OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

DR. C.D. JAYAWEERA BANDARA

I shall commence with some general observations on butterflies and moths before showing my paintings.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS?

Although both of these fluttering insects come under the Classification LEPIDOPTERA, they possess many differences that classify them as a Butterfly or a Moth.

•    THEIR WINGS ON RESTING

One of the most obvious differences between Butterflies and Moths is their resting position. Moths rest with their wings open (horizontal), whereas Butterflies tend to rest with their wings closed (vertical). However, many Butterflies ‘sun bake’ with their wings open. 

•     NOCTURNAL VS DIURNAL

Butterflies are primarily active during the day (diurnal), whereas Moths are generally active at night (nocturnal), although there are a few exceptions

•      ANTENNA SHAPE

Butterflies and Moths have very different Antennae. Moth antennae tend to be leaf or feather-shaped. Butterfly antennae tend to be long, bare, and eject from the head in a club shape. They also have a bulb at the end. Although this is normally the case, some moths have slender antennae rather than feathered. 

•      FRENULUMS

Moths have a Frenulum, which is a wing coupling device that ensures the wings travel together during flight. Butterflies do not have this. 

•     PUPAE

In the metamorphism from caterpillar to Butterfly, caterpillars spin a Pupa consisting of hardened protein. On the other hand, Moth caterpillars form a silk pupa, which is known as a cocoon.

However, there are exceptions, where Moths form pupae that resemble that of a Butterfly and Butterfly, which makes a cocoon.  

•     GENERAL APPEARANCE

Widely speaking, Moths tend to be stockier and have furry bodies, whereas Butterflies are smooth and lean. This difference in appearance is due to scale size; Butterflies possess far smaller scales. 

•     EYES

As Moths are nocturnal and Butterflies are diurnal, it makes sense that the two species would adapt to have different eyes to suit their light conditions. In general, Moths have superposition eyes, which reflect light at the same angle that they take it in. This type of eye creates images up to 1000 times brighter than acquisition eyes but sacrifices image quality. On the other hand, Butterflies have apposition eyes, which gather multiple images and combine them in the brain. 

•     COLOUR

In general, Moths tend to be duller and less vibrant in colour, with less intricate and striking patterns. Although this is a generalised rule, some Moths are incredibly colourful and striking.

 

                                                            BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies can be found in nearly all types of habitats, including deserts, wetlands, grassland, forest and alpine. Some butterflies in the Family Lycaenidae spend part of their lives underground!

The Natural History Museum in London has identified Colombia as a country with the most species of butterflies in the world.

Butterflies can be seen almost anywhere in the world except in Antarctica. 

                                                               MOTHS

Moths are found everywhere, from the seaside to almost bare mountain tops, in fact, wherever there are plants for caterpillars to eat.

Moths are found on old walls during the day. They are found on the bark of trees and on the underside of leaves in the shrubs.

Moths avoid light and are most commonly found in dark locations such as basements, attics and closets. Within these locations, moths can be found in the folds of fabrics, or hiding in corners.

The largest moths are found in New Guinea and Australia.

                                                      BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Butterflies are beautiful, and some moths are even more beautiful.

Some of the moths resemble butterflies. Hence, the names of all the moths are given to confirm that they are really moths and not butterflies. In addition, the moths' wingspan is given in all the pictures to judge their real size, as the paintings are large.

The names and wingspan of the moths will confirm their authenticity. Some of the names of the butterflies are given, but where the names are not, they are obvious butterflies.

1. GOLDEN TAILED HAIR STREAK BUTTERFLY             2.  ATLAS MOTH                                                                                                                                                                          WINGSPAN   24 cms ( 9.4 inches )

3.  BUTTERFLY                                                                                                       4.  ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH                                                                                                                                                                                      WINGSPAN    45 – 60 mm

5. BATWING BUTTERFLY                                                                                        6.  PROMETHEA MOTH                                                                                                                                                                      WINGSPAN  7.5 – 10cms

7.  BUTTERFLY                                                                                                        8. ZODIAC MOTH                                                                                                                                                                                         wingspan 10 cm    

    9. TWO TAILED SWALLOW BUTTERFLY                                         10. LUNA MOTH                                                                                                                                                    WING SPAN  3 – 4.5 inches

11. PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY                                       12. BLUE NOCTUID MOTH                                                                                                                                                      WINGSPAN   0.8 – 30.5 cms