The group of insects that includes moths; characterized by having antennae with different shapes compared to butterflies, typically feathery or filament-like rather than clubbed.
From hetero- (different) + -cera (from Latin cera and Greek keras, horn/antenna). The term literally means 'different-horned' or 'different-antennae,' distinguishing moths from butterflies.
Scientists named moths 'heterocera' because they noticed their antennae looked completely different from butterfly antennae—moths have feathery, delicate antennae like tiny brushes, while butterflies have clubbed ones. This tiny detail is how you can tell them apart.
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