what's the difference?

[goosey]

What's the difference between Micro and Macro moths?
when I'm searching on some sites for an ID , I have to do seperate searches as I don't know.
sorry if it's been asked before but I've only been here a week.

[aeshna5]

The division of moths into macros + micros isn't a scientific distinction, but more of a convenience that's been adopted by mothing community.

As a general rule the micro families are smaller insects than those of macros, but there are many anomolies with some micros being larger than some macros (confusing eh!).

For example 2 micros I know well are Small Magpie + Mother of Pearl which are treated as micros, yet are relatively large + without going into details would appear to be macros.

Many mothers just do macros for which there are good field guides, whereas good literature is not so easily found for micros, though there's an easily obtained guide to pyralids (1 of micro families).

Hope I haven't confused you more. Even the distinction between butterflies + moths is a rather artificial classification!

[Paul mabbott]

In theory micromoths are small, macromoths are large *but* that isn't true in practice! It's just a convenient way of dividing up the moth families and is really meaningless. You will just need to learn which families are 'micros' and which aren't!

Microlepidoptera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[nightshade]

Micros are a way of dividing from macros
So micro 12mm and below (one is 40mm)
Macro the larger more interesting moths
Still confused ,and me

[jimfoxy]

Micros often have thin antennae folded back along their body. Their legs are often also thin, and spindly with long barbs. They often also have a 'sheen' about them. I am sure there are other unscientific clues which I use subliminally, too!

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

In theory micromoths are small, macromoths are large *but* that isn't true in practice! It's just a convenient way of dividing up the moth families and is really meaningless. You will just need to learn which families are 'micros' and which aren't!

Microlepidoptera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I agree with Paul on this one, there is no size division as some so called "macros" are smaller than some "micros" and vice-versa, its all down to specific moth families and how they are classified.
My advice as a moth'er is to try and get to grips with both micro and macro moths together, it may seem a little daunting at first but it eventually makes sense and with the help of some good books and the UK moths website you will find that it really isn't that difficult, plus there are plenty of us here on WAB who will be happy to help you out if you get stuck.

[wyevilla]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

I agree with Paul on this one, there is no size division as some so called "macros" are smaller than some "micros" and vice-versa, its all down to specific moth families and how they are classified...

Separate families indeed. The Macro families are:

Hepialidae - swifts
Cossidae - Leopards & Goats
Zygaenidae - Foresters & Burnets
Limacodidae - mostly tropical ony 2 species in British Isles
Sessiidae - Clearwings
Lasiocampidae - Eggars
Saturniidae - Emporers
Endromidae - just 1 species in Britain (Kentish glory)
Drepanidae - Hook Tips
Thyatiridae - small family sometimes thought as part of Drepanidae
Geometridae - huge family of Carpets, Pugs, Waves & Beauties
Sphingidae - Hawkmoths
Notodontidae - Prominents & Kittens
Thaumetopoeidae - Processionaries
Lymantriidae - Tussocks
Arctiidae - Tigers
Ctenuchidae - sometimes thought to be part of Arctiidae
Nolidae - very small family with half a dozen species recorded in UK
Noctuidae - very large family with many familiar members

The rest of the families are classed as micros regardless of size! I guess its all down to those Victorian naturalists.