Dictionaries seem to treat lepidopterology and lepidoptery as synonymous. Is there a distinction in meaning? (For example, lepidoptery for the practice of hunting butterflies and lepidopterology for the study?) or are they just two words for the same thing. If the latter, why give the longer one for the word of the day rather than the shorter?

interesting.. it looks to me like lepidoptery is a newer and less formal term. perhaps one formulated by the hobbyists? OED2 merely notes that lepidoptery = lepidopterology

as to why Anu gave the longer one, well, lepidoptery doesn't have fifteen letters, does it!?
-ron o.