What order contains both butterflies and moths?

The order containing both butterflies and moths is Lepidoptera.

The name Lepidoptera comes from Greek words meaning “scale” and “wing,” referring to the microscopic scales covering adult wings. These scales often create colors through pigments, light reflection, or both.

Butterflies are not a separate biological order from moths; they are a specialized group within Lepidoptera. In general usage, butterflies are often distinguished from moths by daytime activity, clubbed antennae, and resting posture, but none of these traits applies perfectly to every species.

Lepidoptera includes four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Caterpillars usually eat and grow, while adults commonly focus on dispersal, mating, and, in many species, feeding on nectar or other liquids.