What sort of a butterfly is this? It's outside my back door as I type: [IMG][/IMG]

 

No idea, probably a moth

 

Could be a moth, the Common Emerald moth: Google Image Result for http://www.wildforms.co.uk/assets/images/pale_green_moth.jpg

It's about 3rd down the page.

 

I keep seeing an acid green/yellow butterfly in my garden but i have no idea what it is either

 

it is actually a moth

 

What is the difference between butterflies and moths?

 

i saw an amazing red and black one not so long ago.

 

Red Admiral?

 

Butterfly or moth?

 

Sounds like a brimstone: Google Image Result for http://www.uksafari.com/jpeg2/brimstn4.jpg

 

I thought it was a cabbage white at first. I kill about 10 every day and feed them to my chickens. Bladdy hard to catch though

 

Butterflies are almost exclusively day fliers, while moths are largely nocturnal.

Butterflies often have slim antennae that end in a little club, whereas moths often have feathery antennae.

Moths tend to have large, squat, hairy bodies whereas butterflies have slim streamlined ones.

Many butterflies rest with their wings up so when seen from the side the dark-coloured underwings are seen rather than the bright upper surface, whereas moths often rest with their wings flat open.

There are exceptions in every case with this list, but it's a good rule of thumb to work by.

HTH

 

Ah ha, so if its around in the day its usually a butterfly, that makes it easier.
I suppose, thinking about it, if a moth was about in the day it would head for the sun as a light source and be burnt to a crisp

 

Christ.

 

Ok, maybe it wouldn't make it that far but it would try

 

Sara do you ever make sensible comments?

 

This is what you call a moth!
Had a 10" wingspan.

A few butterflies also taken today.

 

not on this site, no

 

Where were those taken? We saw similar ones outside the Natural History Museum in London, they've got a temporary butterfly and moth display.