What do Moths Eat

A moth is closely related to a butterfly, and their similarity lies in more than just taxonomy. Read on to know about what moths eat.
To state a fact, an adult moth doesn't eat anything. The nutrients required to complete its life cycle are consumed in the larval stage. Depending on the species of the moth, a female moth lays eggs on either woolen or silk cloths or under the leaves. The larva of the moth feeds on the fabrics or the leaves before pupating inside a silken case. Again depending on the species of the moth, the pupal stage can last up to four years. However, there are species that become an adult in just 90 days.

In a larval stage, a moth larva feeds on protein-based materials of fur, wool, and cotton. However, an adult moth feeds through a tube-like tongue known as proboscis. A moth feeds on nectar of various flowers, liquid oozing out of a fruit, sap, wound of animals and also from animal droppings. A certain species of moth also sip muddy water to absorb the nutrients from the soil.

Are you not curious to know what butterflies eat? Read information about butterflies.

By Maya Pillai
Published: 11/5/2008
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