HOME | DD

Description

Butterfly and Moth rays, despite looking very similar, are in fact not closely related. Butterfly rays, belonging to the order Lepidoperaqua, are an order all of their own, while the Moth rays are in a subfamily of Myliobatiformes called Mylioheterocera. The month of May is marked by a mass migration of Butterfly rays, where they move from the southern oceans to the northern oceans. Moth rays most often undertake smaller migration paths, as they have shorter lifespans once they reach adulthood. the most reliable way to differentiate between Butterfly and Moth rays are their antennae. Moth rays have delicate feathery antennae, used to filter feed as they swim. Butterfly rays use their more prehensile antennae to grab fish and small crustaceans as they hunt.

Description

Butterfly and Moth rays, despite looking very similar, are in fact not closely related. Butterfly rays, belonging to the order Lepidoperaqua, are an order all of their own, while the Moth rays are in a subfamily of Myliobatiformes called Mylioheterocera. The month of May is marked by a mass migration of Butterfly rays, where they move from the southern oceans to the northern oceans. Moth rays most often undertake smaller migration paths, as they have shorter lifespans once they reach adulthood. the most reliable way to differentiate between Butterfly and Moth rays are their antennae. Moth rays have delicate feathery antennae, used to filter feed as they swim. Butterfly rays use their more prehensile antennae to grab fish and small crustaceans as they hunt.