Moths are often overshadowed by their more colorful relatives, butterflies, but they are just as fascinating. With over 160,000 species worldwide, moths play essential roles in ecosystems and exhibit incredible adaptations. Here are 10 surprising facts about moths that you might not know!
1. Some Moths Don’t Have Mouths
While most moths feed on nectar or other plant-based substances, some species, like the Luna moth, don’t have mouths at all! These moths emerge from their cocoons solely to reproduce, relying on the energy stored from their caterpillar stage. They live only about a week before they perish.
2. Moths Are Expert Pollinators
Many people associate pollination with bees and butterflies, but moths are just as important—if not more so. Night-blooming flowers, such as jasmine and yucca, rely on moths to transfer pollen. Moths’ fuzzy bodies pick up and distribute pollen as they move between flowers, helping plants reproduce.
3. Some Moths Mimic Other Creatures
Moths are masters of disguise! Some species mimic other animals to avoid predators. The Atlas moth, for instance, has wing markings that resemble a snake’s head. Other moths imitate wasps, spiders, or even bird droppings to blend in with their surroundings.
4. They Can Hear Ultrasonic Sounds
Many moths have developed the ability to hear ultrasonic frequencies to detect their primary predators—bats. Some species can even produce sounds that jam a bat’s echolocation, confusing the predator and increasing the moth’s chances of survival.
5. Moths Can Be Gigantic
The largest moth in the world is the Atlas moth, boasting a wingspan of up to 12 inches! Another enormous species, the White Witch moth, has a wingspan that can reach nearly 14 inches, making it one of the widest moths in existence.
6. Some Moths Drink Tears
In certain tropical regions, moths have been observed drinking the tears of animals, including birds and mammals. Scientists believe they do this to obtain essential nutrients, particularly sodium, which is scarce in their typical diets.
7. Moth Caterpillars Can Be Toxic
While most moth caterpillars are harmless, some have venomous spines that can cause severe pain or allergic reactions. The puss caterpillar, the larval form of the Southern flannel moth, is one of the most toxic in North America, delivering a sting that feels like a severe burn.
8. They Navigate Using the Moon and Stars
Moths are famous for their attraction to artificial lights, but they originally evolved to navigate by the moon and stars. When artificial light sources disrupt their natural instincts, they can become disoriented, leading them to spiral around lamps and other bright lights.
9. Moths Outnumber Butterflies
Butterflies get most of the attention, but moths vastly outnumber them. For every butterfly species, there are about 10 moth species. Moths are incredibly diverse, with species adapted to nearly every habitat on Earth, from rainforests to deserts.
10. Some Moths Produce Silk
Silk production is usually associated with silkworms, the larvae of the domesticated silk moth (Bombyx mori). However, several wild moth species also produce silk, including the Japanese oak silk moth and the giant silk moths of South America. Please Note: This content was created with the assistance of AI and thoroughly edited by a human before publishing.