Science article #1 Moths don’t eat your clothing.

When you think of a moth do you think of something like this?

                          

Well, guess what,

The truth is,

99.9999% of MOTHS DON’T EAT YOUR CLOTHING!!!!!!

 Carpet beetles do.

Carpet beetle

and 1 type of moth caterpillar does. Here is the dictionary definition.

Tineola bisselliella, known as the Common Clothes Moth, Webbing Clothes Moth, or simply Clothing Moth, is a species of fungus moth (family Tineidae). Therein it belongs to the subfamily Tineinae. It is the type species of its genus Tineola. The specific name is commonly miss-spelled biselliella – for example by G. A. W. Herrich-Schäffer, when he established Tineola in 1853. [1]The caterpillars of this moth are considered a serious pest, as they can derive nourishment from clothing – in particular wool, but many other natural fibers – and also, like most related species, from stored produce.(wikipedia)

Now to make up for all your accusations against moths, let’s learn a bit about them.

The moths you see are common house moths. They can do nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, to hurt you, or harm you in any way. They are just nighttime pollinators, and have accidently gotten in your house because they always fly to the light. Just shoo them out with your hand, or take them out with a cup.

These are Luna moths. (Don’t worry they aren’t flying into your house.)  They are about half the size of your hand. Seeing one is a rare treat. They seem to glow when they fly. One of my pictures above is male and one is female. Can you guess which is which? The lovely moth on the right is the male. You can tell by his fluffy antennas. The female’s antennas are fluffy, but not quite as much.

These are Polyphemus moths. They are the same size as the Luna moths. Again you won’t see them that often. You can identify their gender the same way you do Luna moths. In fact, that is how you identify all moths’ gender. Again they are a rare treat to see in action. I have been lucky enough to raise both of them. Do you see their beautiful eyespots? Scroll down to see what they’re for.

 

AHHH! Did that scare you? Well guess what. It was supposed to.

This is a close up of an eyespot on a moth, and is a common defense. But to humans it sure is beautiful.

Don’t run from moths. Run to them.