Butterflies represent one of the two major groups within the order Lepidoptera, the other being the moths. The distinction between butterflies and moths is largely traditional rather than scientific — an arbitrary division based on appearance and behaviour. While almost everyone can recognise a butterfly, few could clearly define what separates it from a moth.
An order of insects that consists of the Moths and Butterflies.
Macrolepidoptera is a traditional, informal grouping that encompasses the larger and more conspicuous moths within the order Lepidoptera. Though not a single, strictly defined taxonomic category, the macrolepidoptera share several recognizable traits: relatively large body size, broad wings, and often vivid or distinctive patterns that make them easier to observe and identify than smaller moths.
Microlepidoptera, or micro moths, represent the smaller and often more intricate members of the order Lepidoptera. Like the macrolepidoptera, the term is informal and does not correspond to a single evolutionary lineage, but it remains a useful distinction for practical identification and study. Micro moths are generally characterized by their small size, many species having wingspans of less than 10 millimeters, and by their remarkable diversity in form, behavior, and ecology.
