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Moths

Emperor Gum Moth

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera

A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly. Both are of the order Lepidoptera. The division of lepidopterans into moths and butterflies is a popular, not a scientific distinction. While butterflies are considered to be a natural group, in having descended from a single common ancestor, moths are an artificial group, defined as any lepidopteran that is not a butterfly. However, neither hold formal taxonomic rank.

Popularly defined, most species of Lepidoptera are moths, and about 70 of the 80 families of the order. Butterflies can be considered to be a small group that arose from within the "moths."

In general, moths are considered to be distinct from butterflies in that moths are chiefly nocturnal, while butterflies are diurnal; moths have comb-like or feathery antennae while butterlies have thin, slender, and filamentous antennae; and moths have a stouter and more furry-looking body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than butterflies. However, there are many exceptions to each of these characteristics.

Moths are important economically, offering both positive impact, such as producing silk, or negative impact, such as agricultural pests and clothing pests. The harmony in nature can been seen in some species of moths serving as pollinators of night-blooming flowers. This allows the plants to reproduce, while the moths receive nectar in exchange.

People who study moths and butterflies are called lepidopterists; the study of moths is known as mothing. This later term gave rise to the term mother for someone who takes part in this activity—sometimes written with a hyphen inserted (moth-er) or as moffer to distinguish it from the word for a female parent (in spoken English, confusion does not arise as the two are pronounced differently).

Economic significance of moths

A moth caterpillar eating a leaf

Moths, and more particularly their caterpillars, are a major agricultural pest in many parts of the world. The caterpillar of the Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) causes severe damage to forests in North East USA, where it is an exotic species. In temperate climates, the Codling moth causes extensive damage, especially to fruit farms. In tropical and subtropical climates, the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is perhaps the most serious pest of brassicaceous crops.

Several moth species in the family Tineidae are commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat fabric such as clothes and blankets made from natural proteinaceous fibers such as wool or silk. They are less likely to eat mixed materials containing artificial fibers. Naphthalene (the chemical used in mothballs) is considered effective, but there are concerns over its effects on health. Moth larvae are not killed by freezing the items that they infest.

Moths are sturdy and usually are more resistant to pesticides than mosquitos and flies.

Some moths are farmed. Most notable is the silkworm (the larva of the domesticated moth Bombyx mori), farmed for the silk with which it builds its cocoon. The silk industry produces over 130 million kg of raw silk, worth about 250 million US dollars worldwide.

Not all silk is produced by Bombyx mori. There are several species of Saturniidae that are also farmed for their silk, such as the Ailanthus moth (Samia cynthia), the Chinese Oak Silkmoth (Antheraea pernyi), the Assam Silkmoth (Antheraea assamensis), and the Japanese Silk Moth (Antheraea yamamai).

The mopane worm (the caterpillar of Gonimbrasia belina, from the family Saturniidae) is a significant food resource in southern Africa.

Attraction to light

A Plusiinae moth attracted by porchlight

Moths are apparently attracted to light, or more specifically, are known to circle bright objects. The reason for this behavior is not known. It may be moths navigate by maintaining a constant angular relationship to a bright celestial light (such as the moon), but on encountering a bright artificial light it navigates by maintaining a constant angle to the light, resulting in the moth flying in a spiral until it hits the light source. Hsiao (1972) suggests that the reason for moths circling lights may have to do with a visual distortion called a Mach band.

Night-blooming flowers usually depend on moths (or bats) for pollination, and artificial lighting can draw moths away from the flowers, affecting the plant's ability to reproduce. Light pollution is coming under increasing scrutiny as a source of many subtle ecological changes.

Moth species

Large and dramatic Moth species include:

Death's-head Hawkmoth Acherontia sp.
Luna Moth Actias luna
Atlas moth Attacus atlas The largest moth in the world
Emperor Gum Moth Opodiphthera eucalypti
Polyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus

Moths that are of economic significance include:

Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar
Cotton bollworm or corn earworm Helicoverpa zea, a major agricultural pest
Codling moth Cydia pomonella, a pest mostly of apple, pear, and walnut trees
Light brown apple moth Epiphyas postvittana
The silkworm Bombyx mori is the larva of a moth.

Other notable moths:

Peppered moth Biston betularia The subject of a now well known, and controversial, study in evolution, as an evidence of evolution, or more specifically natural selection.

Difference between moths and butterflies

Moths and butterflies are often confused with each other, which is understable given that the division is a popular distinction, not based on principles of biological classification. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" (butterflies) and "Heterocera" (moths) are used to formalize the popular distinction.

Among common distinctions are those noted above, involving antennae, coloration, body structure, and noctural/diurnal habit. Other means of distinguishing a moth from a butterfly include pupae (most moth caterpillars spin a cocoon within which they metamorphose, while most butterflies form an exposed pupa) and the position of the wings at rest (moths usually rest with wings at sides, while butterflies frequently fold their wings above their backs). However, there are exceptiosn to every rule. (See Differences between a butterfly and a moth for more discussion.)

Gallery

Forester moth (Zygaenidae) on a flower.
A moth
Case Moth (Psychidae)
Case Moth (Psychidae)
Looper Moth
LeopardMoth.jpg

Giant Leopard Moth (Arctiidae)
Dryocampa rubicunda Rosy Maple Moth
Moth-Georgia-Oct12005.jpg

Grammia parthenice Tiger Moth (Arctiidae)
Nyctemera amica (Arctiidae)
Chelepteryx collesi (Gray) (Anthelidae)
Chelepteryx.collesi.02.jpg

Chelepteryx collesi (Gray) (Anthelidae)
Lyssa zampa (Uraniidae) Grey Sunset Moth
Atlas moth

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Ahmad M., R. M. Hollingworth, and J. C. Wise. 2002. Broad-spectrum insecticide resistance in obliquebanded leafroller Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Michigan. Pest Management Science 58:834-838.
Dunley, J. E., J. F. Brunner, M. D. Doerr, and E. H. Beers. 2006. Resistance and cross-resistance in populations of the leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana and Pandemis pyrusana, in Washington apples. Journal of Insect Science 6:14, available online: insectscience.org/6.14.
Hsiao, H. S. 1972. Attraction of Moths to Light and to Infrared radiation. San Francisco Press. ISBN 091130221.

Credits

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@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 {{Taxobox_end}}
-A '''moth''' is an [[insect]] closely related to the [[butterfly]].  Both are of the order [[Lepidoptera]]. The division of lepidopterans into moths and butterflies is a popular, not a scientific distinction. While butterflies are considered to be a natural group, in having descended from a single common ancestor, moths are an artificial group, defined as any lepidopteran that is not a butterfly. However, neither hold formal [[taxonomy|taxonomic]] rank. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" (butterflies) and "Heterocera" (moths) are used to formalize the popular distinction.
+A '''moth''' is an [[insect]] closely related to the [[butterfly]].  Both are of the order [[Lepidoptera]]. The division of lepidopterans into moths and butterflies is a popular, not a scientific distinction. While butterflies are considered to be a natural group, in having descended from a single common ancestor, moths are an artificial group, defined as any lepidopteran that is not a butterfly. However, neither hold formal [[taxonomy|taxonomic]] rank.
 Popularly defined, most species of Lepidoptera are moths, and about 70 of the 80 families of the order. Butterflies can be considered to be a small group that arose from within the "moths."
 In general, moths are considered to be distinct from butterflies in that moths are chiefly nocturnal, while butterflies are diurnal; moths have comb-like or feathery antennae while butterlies have thin, slender, and filamentous antennae; and moths have a stouter and more furry-looking body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than butterflies. However, there are many exceptions to each of these characteristics.
+Moths are important economically, offering both positive impact, such as producing [[silk]], or negative impact, such as agricultural pests and clothing pests. The harmony in nature can been seen in some species of moths serving as pollinators of night-blooming [[flower]]s. This allows the plants to reproduce, while the moths receive nectar in exchange.
 People who study moths and butterflies are called lepidopterists; the study of moths is known as mothing. This later term gave rise to the term mother for someone who takes part in this activity&mdash;sometimes written with a hyphen inserted (moth-er) or as moffer to distinguish it from the word for a female parent (in spoken English, confusion does not arise as the two are pronounced differently).
@@ Line 59: / Line 61: @@
 *Peppered moth ''Biston betularia'' The subject of a now well known, and controversial, study in [[evolution]], as an [[evidence of evolution]], or more specifically [[natural selection]].
-===Difference between '''butterflies''' and '''moths'''===
+===Difference between '''moths''' and '''butterflies'''===
-Butterflies and moths are often confused with each other. This is understandable, given that separation of Lepidoptera into butterflies and moths is a common classification, not one that is recognized by [[taxonomy|taxonomists]]. The "moths" are an artificial group, defined only as everything in the order that is not a butterfly. Butterflies, on the other hand, are a natural group, in that they are all considered to have descended from a single common ancestor, but they do not have a formal taxonomic rank.
+Moths and [[butterfly|butterflies]] are often confused with each other, which is understable given that the division is a popular distinction, not based on principles of biological classification. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" (butterflies) and "Heterocera" (moths) are used to formalize the popular distinction.
-Although there are many ways of distinguishing a butterfly from a moth, there are exceptions to every rule. Among some of the means of distinguishing them are:
-*'''Antennae'''. Most butterflies have thin, slender, filamentous antennae, which are club-shaped at the end, while moths often have comb-like or feathery antennae, or filamentous and unclubbed. This distinction is the basis for the non-standard taxonomic divisions in the Lepidoptera&mdash;the Rhopalocera ("clubbed horn," the butterflies) and the Heterocera ("varied horn," the moths).
-*'''Wing coupling mechanisms'''. Many moths have a frenulum, which is a filament arising from the hindwing and coupling with barbs on the forewing. The frenulum can be observed only when a specimen is in hand. Butterflies lack these structures.
-*'''Pupae'''. Most moth caterpillars spin a cocoon made of silk within which they metamorphose into the pupal stage. Most butterflies on the other hand form an exposed pupa, which is also termed as a chrysalis.
-*'''Coloration of the wings'''. Most butterflies have bright colors on their wings. Nocturnal moths on the other hand are usually plain brown, gray, white, or black and often with obscuring patterns of zigzags or swirls, which help camouflage them as they rest during the day. However many day-flying moths are brightly colored, particularly if they are toxic. A few butterflies are also plain-colored, like the Cabbage White butterfly.
-*'''Structure of the body'''. Moths tend to have a stout and hairy or furry-looking bodies, while butterflies have slender and smoother abdomens. Moths have larger scales on their wings that make them look more dense and fluffy. Butterflies, on the other hand, possess fine scales. This difference is possibly due to the need for moths to conserve heat during the cooler nights, whereas butterflies are able to absorb solar radiation.
-*'''Behavioral differences'''. Most moths are nocturnal or crepuscular, while most butterflies are diurnal. 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, since there are many exceptions to each of these characteristics, it is perhaps better to think of butterflies as a group of day-flying moths.
+Among common distinctions are those noted above, involving antennae, coloration, body structure, and noctural/diurnal habit. Other means of distinguishing a moth from a butterfly include pupae (most moth caterpillars spin a cocoon within which they metamorphose, while most butterflies form an exposed pupa) and the position of the wings at rest (moths usually rest with wings at sides, while butterflies frequently fold their wings above their backs). However, there are exceptiosn to every rule. (See [[Butterfly#Difference between butterflies and moths|Differences between a butterfly and a moth]] for more discussion.)
-==See also==
-*[[Difference between a butterfly and a moth]]
-*[[List of moths]]
 ==Gallery==
 <gallery>
-Image:Lepidoptere(s).jpg|Forester moth ([[Zygaenidae]]) on a flower.
+Image:Lepidoptere(s).jpg|Forester moth (Zygaenidae) on a flower.
 Image:Moth.jpg|A moth
-Image:Case moth.jpg|Case Moth ([[Psychidae]])
+Image:Case moth.jpg|Case Moth (Psychidae)
-Image:Case moth02.jpg|Case Moth ([[Psychidae]])
+Image:Case moth02.jpg|Case Moth (Psychidae)
 Image:Looper moth.jpg|Looper Moth
-Image:LeopardMoth.jpg|[[Giant Leopard Moth]] ([[Arctiidae]])
+Image:LeopardMoth.jpg|Giant Leopard Moth (Arctiidae)
 Image:Rosy Maple Moth.png|''Dryocampa rubicunda'' Rosy Maple Moth
-Image:Moth-Georgia-Oct12005.jpg|''Grammia parthenice'' Tiger Moth ([[Arctiidae]])
+Image:Moth-Georgia-Oct12005.jpg|''Grammia parthenice'' Tiger Moth (Arctiidae)
-Image:Nyctemera.amica.jpg|''Nyctemera amica'' ([[Arctiidae]])
+Image:Nyctemera.amica.jpg|''Nyctemera amica'' (Arctiidae)
 Image:Chelepteryx.collesi.jpg|''Chelepteryx collesi'' (Gray) (Anthelidae)
 Image:Chelepteryx.collesi.02.jpg|''Chelepteryx collesi'' (Gray) (Anthelidae)
-Image:Bigmoth.jpg|''Lyssa zampa'' ([[Uraniidae]]) Grey Sunset Moth
+Image:Bigmoth.jpg|''Lyssa zampa'' (Uraniidae) Grey Sunset Moth
-Image:atlas_moth.JPG|[[Atlas moth]]
+Image:atlas_moth.JPG|Atlas moth
 </gallery>
-==External links==
+== References ==
-*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/moths.htm Moths of North America - diagnostic large format photographs, taxonomy, descriptions]
+* Ahmad M., R. M. Hollingworth, and J. C. Wise. 2002. Broad-spectrum insecticide resistance in obliquebanded leafroller ''Choristoneura rosaceana'' (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Michigan. ''Pest Management Science'' 58:834-838.
-*[http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/MainMenu.shtml North American Moth Photographers Group]--web site with thousands of photographs (reproduced with permission there—check with individual photographers to reproduce)
+* Dunley, J. E., J. F. Brunner, M. D. Doerr, and E. H. Beers. 2006. Resistance and cross-resistance in populations of the leafrollers, ''Choristoneura rosaceana'' and ''Pandemis pyrusana'', in Washington apples. ''Journal of Insect Science'' 6:14, available online: insectscience.org/6.14.
-*[http://bugguide.net/node/view/82 BugGuide]—moths
+* Hsiao, H. S. 1972. ''Attraction of Moths to Light and to Infrared radiation. San Francisco Press. ISBN 091130221.
-*[http://www.pollinator.com/plant_pol/caterpillars/barbarea_verna2.htm Life cycle photos of the salt marsh moth ''Estigmene acrea'']
-*[http://www.ukmoths.force9.co.uk/ UK Moths]
-*[http://www.uklepidoptera.co.uk/ UK Lepidoptera]
-*[http://www.leps.nl/ Butterflies and Moths of the Netherlands]
-* "European Butterflies" by Christopher Jonko : http://www.lepidoptera.bai.pl/start.php?lang=UK
-== References ==
-<ref>Henry S. Hsiao, Attraction of moths to light and to infrared radiation. San Francisco Press (1972) ISBN 0911302212</ref>.
-<references/>
 {{credit|61604974}}
 [[Category:Life sciences]]