Moth

? 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. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" (butterflies) and "Heterocera" (moths) are used to formalize the popular distinction.

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.

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 butterflies and moths

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 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.

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—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.

See also

• Difference between a butterfly and a moth
• List of moths

Gallery

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  Forester moth (Zygaenidae) on a flower.

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  A moth

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  Case Moth (Psychidae)

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  Case Moth (Psychidae)

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  Looper Moth

• LeopardMoth.jpg

  Giant Leopard Moth (Arctiidae)

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  Dryocampa rubicunda Rosy Maple Moth

• Moth-Georgia-Oct12005.jpg

  Grammia parthenice Tiger Moth (Arctiidae)

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  Nyctemera amica (Arctiidae)

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  Chelepteryx collesi (Gray) (Anthelidae)

• Chelepteryx.collesi.02.jpg

  Chelepteryx collesi (Gray) (Anthelidae)

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  Lyssa zampa (Uraniidae) Grey Sunset Moth

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  Atlas moth

External links

• Moths of North America - diagnostic large format photographs, taxonomy, descriptions
• North American Moth Photographers Group—web site with thousands of photographs (reproduced with permission there—check with individual photographers to reproduce)
• BugGuide—moths
• Life cycle photos of the salt marsh moth Estigmene acrea
• UK Moths
• UK Lepidoptera
• Butterflies and Moths of the Netherlands
• "European Butterflies" by Christopher Jonko : http://www.lepidoptera.bai.pl/start.php?lang=UK

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

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