Difference between revisions of "Moth" - New World Encyclopedia

Latest revision as of 23:16, 3 April 2008

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—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 butterflies 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 Northeast United States, 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 mosquitoes 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 kilograms of raw silk, worth about US$250 million 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) – 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 evidence of evolution, or more specifically natural selection

Difference between moths and butterflies

Moths and butterflies are often confused with each other, which is understandable, 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 exceptions 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
Giant leopard moth (Arctiidae)
Dryocampa rubicunda (Rosy maple moth)
Grammia parthenice (Tiger moth) (Arctiidae)
Nyctemera amica (Arctiidae)
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. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
Hsiao, H. S. 1972. Attraction of Moths to Light and to Infrared Radiation. San Francisco Press. ISBN 091130221

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

Moth ^history

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

History of "Moth"

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Copyedited}}{{Paid}}{{Approved}}{{Images OK}}{{Submitted}}
 {{Taxobox_begin | color=pink | name=Moths}}
-{{Taxobox_image | image =  [[Image:Emperor Gum Moth.jpg|200px|]] | caption =[[Emperor Gum Moth]] }}
+{{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Emperor Gum Moth.jpg|200px|]] | caption =Emperor Gum Moth }}
 {{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}
 {{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}
@@ 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 taxonomy, not a scientific one. Sometimes the names "[[Rhopalocera]]" (butterflies) and "[[Heterocera]]" (moths) are used to formalise 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&mdash;having descended from a single common ancestor&mdash;moths are an artificial group, defined as any lepidopteran that is not a butterfly. However, neither hold formal [[taxonomy|taxonomic]] rank.
-Most species of moths are [[nocturnal]], but there are [[crepuscular]] and [[Diurnal animal|diurnal]] species. They can be distinguished from butterflies in [[Difference between a butterfly and a moth|several ways]].
+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."
-People who study butterflies and/or moths are called [[lepidopterist]]s; the study of butterflies is known as [[butterflying]], and the study of moths [[mothing]], the latter giving rise to the term mother for someone who takes part in this activity &ndash; 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).
+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 butterflies 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.
-==Economic significance of moths==
+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.
-[[Image:Caterpillar feeding2.jpg|thumb|A moth [[caterpillar]] eating a leaf]]
-Moths, and more particularly their [[caterpillar]]s, are a major [[agriculture|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 [[Cabbage worm|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 [[Cloth|fabric]] such as [[clothes]] and [[blanket]]s made from natural proteinaceous fibers such as [[wool]] or [[silk]]. They are less likely to eat mixed materials containing artificial fibres. There are some reports that they can be repelled by the scent of wood from [[juniper]] and [[cedar]], by lavender or by other natural oils. However, many consider this unlikely to prevent infestation. [[Naphthalene]] (the chemical used in [[mothball]]s) is considered more effective, but there are concerns over its effects on health. Moth larvae are not killed by freezing the items which they infest.
+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).
-Moths are sturdy and usually are more resistant to pesticides than mosquitos and flies.
+==Economic significance of moths==
+[[Image:Caterpillar feeding2.jpg|thumb|A moth [[caterpillar]] eating a [[leaf]]]]
+Moths, and more particularly their [[caterpillar]]s, are a major [[agriculture|agricultural]] pest in many parts of the world. The caterpillar of the [[Gypsy moth]] (''Lymantria dispar'') causes severe damage to forests in Northeast United States, 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.
-Some moths are [[farm]]ed. 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. <!--http://www.indiansilk.kar.nic.in/csb/Statistics/forexchg_tasar/forexchg_tasar_Local/SilkFlash/RawSilkPrice_tnap.asp
+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.
-gives silk prices in rupees. Exchange rate is about 50 RS to dollar. http://www.vegansociety.com/html/animals/exploitation/silk_worm.php gives productions as 134 mkg —>
-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]]'' group of species), the Chinese Oak Silkmoth (''[[Antheraea pernyi]]''), the Assam Silkmoth (''[[Antheraea assamensis]]'') and 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.
+Moths are sturdy and usually are more resistant to pesticides than [[mosquito|mosquitoes]] and [[fly|flies]].
-==Attraction to light==
+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 kilograms of raw silk, worth about US$250 million worldwide.
-[[Image:Moth attracted by light.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Plusiinae]] moth attracted by porchlight]]
+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'').
-Moths are apparently attracted to [[light]], or more specifically, are known to circle bright objects. The reason for this behaviour 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.
+The mopane worm (the caterpillar of ''Gonimbrasia belina'', from the family Saturniidae) is a significant food resource in southern [[Africa]].
-In 1972, Henry Hsiao, now professor of biomedical engineering, suggested that the reason for moths circling lights may have to do with a visual distortion called a [[Mach band]] <ref>Henry S. Hsiao, Attraction of moths to light and to infrared radiation. San Francisco Press (1972) ISBN 0911302212</ref>. Henry Hsiao conjectures that moths, as nocturnal creatures, fly towards the darkest part of the sky in pursuit of safety and are thus inclined to circle ambient objects in the Mach band region. This hypothesis is not scientifically accepted and has never been confirmed.
+==Attraction to light==
+[[Image:Moth attracted by light.jpg|thumb|250px|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 [[flower]]s 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 [[ecology|ecological]] changes.
+Night-blooming [[flower]]s usually depend on moths (or [[bat]]s) 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 [[ecology|ecological]] changes.
 ==Moth species==
+Large and dramatic moth species include:
-Large and dramatic Moth species include:
+*Death's-head hawkmoth (''Acherontia sp.'')
-*[[Death's-head Hawkmoth]] ''Acherontia sp.''
+*Luna moth (''Actias luna'')
-*[[Actias luna|Luna Moth]] ''Actias luna''
+*Atlas moth (''Attacus atlas'') &ndash; The largest moth in the world
-*[[Attacus atlas|Atlas moth]] ''Attacus atlas'' The largest moth in the world
+*Emperor gum moth (''Opodiphthera eucalypti'')
-*[[Emperor Gum Moth]] ''Opodiphthera eucalypti''
+*Polyphemus moth (''Antheraea polyphemus'')
-*[[Antheraea polyphemus|Polyphemus Moth]] ''Antheraea polyphemus''
 Moths that are of economic significance include:
-*[[Gypsy moth]] ''Lymantria dispar''
+*Gypsy moth (''Lymantria dispar'')
-*[[Helicoverpa zea|Cotton bollworm or corn earworm]] ''Helicoverpa zea'', a major agricultural pest
+*Cotton bollworm or corn earworm (''Helicoverpa zea'') &ndash; a major agricultural pest
-*[[Codling moth]] ''Cydia pomonella'', a pest mostly of [[apple]], [[pear]] and [[walnut]] trees
+*Codling moth (''Cydia pomonella'') &ndash; a pest mostly of [[apple]], [[pear]], and [[walnut]] trees
-*[[Light brown apple moth]] ''Epiphyas postvittana''
+*Light brown apple moth (''Epiphyas postvittana'')
-*The [[silkworm]] ''Bombyx mori'' is the larva of a moth.
+*The [[silkworm]] (''Bombyx mori'') &ndash; the larva of a moth
 Other notable moths:
-*[[Peppered moth]] ''Biston betularia'' The subject of a now well known study in evolution.
+*Peppered moth (''Biston betularia'') &ndash; The subject of a now well known and controversial study in [[evolution]], as [[evidence of evolution]], or more specifically [[natural selection]]
+===Difference between '''moths''' and '''butterflies'''===
+Moths and [[butterfly|butterflies]] are often confused with each other, which is understandable, 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.
-==See also==
+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 [[caterpillar]]s 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 exceptions to every rule (see [[Butterfly#Difference between butterflies and moths|differences between a butterfly and a moth]] for more discussion).
-*[[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:Looper moth.jpg|Looper moth
-Image:LeopardMoth.jpg|[[Giant Leopard Moth]] ([[Arctiidae]])
+Image:GiantLeopardMoth.jpg|Giant leopard moth (Arctiidae)
-Image:Rosy Maple Moth.png|''Dryocampa rubicunda'' Rosy Maple Moth
+Image:Rosy Maple Moth.png|''Dryocampa rubicunda'' (Rosy maple moth)
-Image:Moth-Georgia-Oct12005.jpg|''Grammia parthenice'' Tiger Moth ([[Arctiidae]])
+Image:Grammia parthenice.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==
-*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/moths.htm Moths of North America - diagnostic large format photographs, taxonomy, descriptions]
-*[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)
-*[http://bugguide.net/node/view/82 BugGuide]—moths
-*[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 ==
+* 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.
-<references/>
+* Dunley, J. E., J. F. Brunner, M. D. Doerr, and E. H. Beers. 2006. [http://insectscience.org/6.14 “Resistance and cross-resistance in populations of the leafrollers, ''Choristoneura rosaceana'' and ''Pandemis pyrusana'', in Washington apples.”] ''Journal of Insect Science'' 6: 14. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
+* Hsiao, H. S. 1972. ''Attraction of Moths to Light and to Infrared Radiation''. San Francisco Press. ISBN 091130221
 {{credit|61604974}}
 [[Category:Life sciences]]
+[[Category:Animals]]
+[[Category:Invertebrates]]
+[[Category:Arthropods]]