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Moths vary greatly in size, with a wide range of wingspans. The wings, bodies, and legs of moths are covered with dust-like scales that come off if the insect is handled. Compared with butterflies, moths have stouter bodies and duller coloring. Moths also have distinctive feathery or thick antennae. When at rest, moths either fold their wings tent-like over the body, wrap them around the body, or hold them extended at their sides, whereas butterflies hold their wings vertically.
The moth life cycle has four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago). The larvae and adults of most moth species are plant eaters. Larvae in particular do considerable damage to ornamental trees and shrubs and to many other plants of economic importance.