Moth

Moth, in entomology, any lepidopterous insect belonging to the division Heterocera, as distinguished from the Rhopalocera, or butterflies; formerly confined to the small nocturnal insect (belonging to the genus Tinea), which breeds in fur, clothes, &c. (see LEPIDOPTERA). The word in 0 Eng. is moppe, and corresponds to Ger. Motte.