Good question! Yes, I don't mind butterflies at all. They are such gentle creatures that don't land on you, get in your face, dive bomb you etc etc. You won't see a butterfly at night though, unlike the nocturnal moth.
Butterflies fly during the day but many moths are nocturnal, flying at night. However, some moths fly in the daytime. Moths come in all shapes and sizes, and some don't even look like moths at all; the clearwing moths, for instance, look like wasps to stop predators from attacking them.
I remember being on holiday in Corfu in 1992 when I went to pick up a what looked like a half smoked King Edward cigar on a shelf in our apartment. I just thought the cleaner had missed it when left by the previous occupant. As I touched it the 'cigar' opened up into a massive moth which flew around for a few seconds then landed on my face!!!
I think that was the start of my moth phobia!
Moths and butterflies are the same thing!*
They were simply classed differently at the time. In many languages there is not even a word for 'moth', just 'Night Butterfly'.
Being an amatuer Lepidopterist, trust me, I've seen many a butterfly do as what you have described, they are just showing an interest and maybe to lick some salt off your hand (or face). There really is nothing to worry about, but then, I think shirt buttons are dirty, but that is something I can ignore when I need to and have, many a time.
Also, many moths are just as colourful as butterflies and in fact, some butterflies are as dull and boring as some moths (the 'Skippers' for example) there is no real difference. And yes, things like The Burnet Spot moths fly by day and are often mistaken for butterflies.
If, however, you are trying to sleep during the day and don't want to be eaten by a bird or whatever, I guess it pays to look like a piece of tree bark or leaflitter.
i wonder if at night, they fly at you because... Well, it's dark? 😆
There are something like 61 species of Butterfly in the UK but well over 1000 moth species, so moths are more interesting by far.
As for your Cigar Moth, it might have been something like a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
* - Ergo, the supposed distinction is illogical. Besides, some moths are genuinely beautiful things.
