There are 127 different families of moths and butterflies worldwide, consisting of more than 100 000 species. In Australia 82 of these families are represented with over 20 000 different species. The families of moths and butterflies are divided into 4 main groups or suborders, the Zeugloptera, Aglossata, Heterobathmiina and Glossata. The majority of species are classified into families in the Glossata with the other 3 suborders consisting just one family each. Follow the links below to find out more about the different families of moths and butterflies. Those in bold represent the moth and butterfly families present in Australia.

For more moth and butterfly species visit the Australian Insect Common Names - Lepidoptera section found here.