Why is a specific species a micro butterfly and not a macro butterfly? It is more of a practice that has evolved over the years without being specifically outlined in any taxonomy rules. Families consisting mainly of small species are classified as micro butterflies. In most cases, these are species where the forewing length is less than 10 mm. Furthermore, micro butterflies are generally considered to be more primitive and are therefore placed at the beginning of the order of the Lepidoptera. Questionable families are the snout moths (Pyralidae) and the grass moths (Crambidae), whose species are often as large as many geometer moths (Geometridae).
For macro moths, the flight period is a crucial parameter in determining the species. For micro-moths, this can also be useful for identifying a species, although common species can be found all year round. You will often find micro-moths in moth traps or on a white sheet, but you will find many species during the day in the garden, tree- and shrub-rich areas, and grasslands. During the day, they are disturbed to settle down somewhere else after a short flight. Identification can be made easier by examining plants or leaves for the presence of the larvae.
