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Butterflies and Skippers and Moths, Oh My!
Hello fellow lepidopterists! Butterflies, skippers, and moths are all closely related insects. In fact, some might argue that there are very few differences between butterflies and moths in a scientific context. However, there are enough that the two groups can be distinguished from each other. This is an example of a behavior called "puddling" where butterflies drink muddy water to obtain vital nutrients and minerals. Here we have a comma butterfly. Note the straight antennae and the four visible legs which help identify this as a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Butterflies can range in size from a wingspan of...