What do moths eat? – AZ Animals

Do Moles Really Eat Sweaters? You may have pulled the sweater out of the back of the closet and found holes in it. Do you blame this on the mole? Yes, you can. Moths are similar to butterflies, they are small insects with wings that come out mostly at night. Adult butterflies are not to blame for the sweater eating; it is the moth caterpillar that bites through clothes made of wool, silk, fur and felt. They contain the protein keratin, which the caterpillar gets from the fibers. But since sweaters are not found in nature, let’s see what else moths eat.

How do moths eat?

Butterflies have a proboscis – a long appendage extending from the head of the butterfly. Basically, it is a long straw used to suck out liquid from plants or other sources. For example, they insert the proboscis into flowers and suck out the nectar. Adult butterflies live on a liquid diet.

Caterpillar stage moths require a lot of food and gnaw on plants, leaves and tissues with their strong jaws (jaw bones).

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

this? more

Want more inspiring stories like this? *

Enter your email below to stay updated!

Submit

What do moths eat?

Adult butterflies live on a liquid diet and require very little food. They will eat liquid from flower nectar, liquid from rotting fruit, sap, honeydew, and even suck nutrients from bird droppings or animal dung.

Moth caterpillars need a lot more energy and will consume what they can find. They will eat leaves and plants in the wild, and if they enter the house, the mother butterfly lays its eggs in humid places where the fungus can live. So your sweaters stowed away for the winter are the best nesting spot. Caterpillars will eat wool, silk, cotton, and fur. They’ll even eat pet fur if need be!

A complete list of what moths eat:

• Flower nectar liquids
• Rotting fruit
• Bird droppings
• Juice
• Nectar
• Animal dung
• Wool
• Silk
• Cotton
• Pet fur

What does moths eat?

When butterflies are in the pupal stage, they are often eaten by wasps. Wasps are also common butterfly predators. As they turn into caterpillars, they are hunted by spiders and birds. The adult moth is also eaten by various birds and spiders.

What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?

Is it a moth or a butterfly? The two insects have a lot in common, but there are clear differences when comparing butterflies and butterflies. Both moths and butterflies have scales covering their wings, and they can both twist their proboscis (the tube they use to eat). Butterflies are generally more colorful than moths, but there are several colorful species of butterflies, such as the Madagascar sunset moth. Butterflies are usually smaller than butterflies. We may be more familiar with butterflies because they walk during the day, whereas most butterflies are nocturnal and come out at night. A similar diet for moths and butterflies.

Is there a butterfly with a tongue a foot long?

Yes! Scientists have discovered a mole in Madagascar that has a tongue (proboscis) 12 inches long! The Wallace Sphynx mole has been proven by DNA testing as a distinct species. Can you imagine trying to fly with a tongue this size? The Wallace Sphinx butterfly must roll up its tongue to move. After DNA testing, many differences were found between this species and the subspecies to which it was believed to also belong. If I had a 12-inch tongue I wouldn’t be wasting it on flower nectar, I would definitely go for milkshakes!