Moth Facts Part I

Moth Facts Part I

Source:  

"Macroglossum stellatarum01(js)" by Jerzy Strzelecki. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macroglossum_stellatarum(js).jpg#/media/File:Macroglossum_stellatarum01(js).jpg

1. The Hercules Moth (or Atlas Moth) of north Queensland is the world’s largest moth, reaching a wing-span of about 25 cm. It is a velvety brown colour.

2. Moths are nocturnal, or active at night.  

3. Luna moths are also called moon moths

4. There is moth caterpillar that is carnivorous, the Ashen Pinion, Lithophane antennata  which is a well-known predator of winter moths.

5. Some tiger moths in the family Arctiidae are known to "jam" bat echolocation by producing sounds.

6. The North Carolina Heritage Program lists 99 state concern moths mostly from the mountains, sandhills and coast.

7. Many females of the Tussock family of moths don't have wings.

8. The Hawk moth (Sphinx) is the worlds fastest flying insect attaining speed of over 50 kph

9. Moth antennae are either feather like or a hair like filament.

10. The Cecropia moth is North America's largest insect with a six inch wingspan.

11. Moths have hairy bodies to help retain internal body temperature necessary for flight.

12. Quite a few moths fly during the day, such as the Hummingbird Clearwing, Virginia Ctenucha and the Spear-Marked Black.

13. In colder climates some moths can have a two year life cycle.

14. Some moth caterpillars, such as the "Io" are covered with stinging hairs.

15. Moths make up 80 percent of the order lepidoptera.

16. A small group of moths are called "Bird Dropping" moths because -you guessed it- that's what they resemble when they are at rest.

17. Moths navigate by two methods. They use the moon and stars when available and geomagnetic clues when light sources are obscured.

18. Cloth Moths eat such things as wool, fur and other animal products. It is their ability to digest Keratin a protien found in these foods.

19. Some moths pupate under ground. Such as many of the Sphinx moths.

20. Moths heat up their flight muscles by vibrating their wings, since they don't have the radiant energy of the sun at their disposal to serve that purpose.