Some butterfly and moth eggs are almost impossible to find, except by following the females during oviposition.

As warmth is required for ovipositing, many but not all species lay eggs during the mid to late afternoon, starting around 2PM. On extremely warm days some butterflies (for example the Red Admiral) will lay eggs as early as 9AM in the morning.

Many butterfly and moth eggs tend to be camouflaged by either matching the colouraton of the host plant or resembling part of the plant.

Some species which generally require observation of the females ovipositing are shown opposite.