moths usually rest with their wings spread out to their sides. butterflies frequently fold their wings above their backs when they are perched although they will occasionally "bask" with their wings spread for short periods. however some butterflies, like the skippers, may hold their wings either flat or folded or even in-between (the so-called "jet plane" position) when perched. most moths also occasionally fold their wings above their backs when they are in a certain spot (like when there is no room to fully spread their wings). a sometimes confusing family can be the "geometridae" (such as the winter moth) because the adults often rest with their wings folded vertically. these moths have thin bodies and large wings like many butterflies but may be distinguished easily by structural differences in their antennae (e.g. bipectinate).