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How do moths and butterflies hold their wings while resting?
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Lepidoptera
Heliconius butterfly in South America.
Members of the order Lepidoptera exhibit distinct resting behaviors that help distinguish moths from butterflies:
- Butterflies: Typically hold their wings vertically over their backs when at rest.12
- Moths: Generally display more varied resting postures. They may fold their wings tentlike over the body, wrap them around the body, or hold them extended out at their sides.1