Page 18 - North Haven Magazine Issue 29 Summer 2023

Blackberry Looper Moth Garden Tiger Moth

W h y d o M o ths M at t e r?
Why do Moths Matter?

by Sally Brockett

It seems that beautiful butterflies get all the attention, with pollinator gardens
and pathways. It is important to protect and aid the butterflies, but we need to
also understand and appreciate moths and how they benefit us. There are also
gorgeous and unique moths, but most are nocturnal, so we do not see them as
often. Let’s take a closer look at moths and learn why they matter.
Differences between moths and butterflies: Both butterflies and moths belong to
the order Lepidoptera, but there are physical and behavioral differences be-
tween these two insects.
ven though we are much more familiar with butterflies because they are
Eactive in the daytime, moths in Connecticut significantly outnumber
them. There are 435 moths identified on the CTButterflyIdentification.org
website while approximately 120 butterflies occur in Connecticut. Within the
U.S., moths outnumber butterflies 10 to 1.

Moths do not have noses but do smell
fragrances – Odor molecules are de-
tected by the antennae.
A major food source – bats and birds
depend on moths and caterpillars.
However, Tiger moths make ultra-
sonic clicks to jam bat sonar so bats
cannot find them.
Are moths a superfood? – In Africa,
over 90% of people consume cater-
pillars, which contain 100% of daily
Male Cecropia Moth value of some vital minerals, as well
as protein and healthy fats. Rosy Maple Moth shows feathered antennae
The well-known Pantry moth and Clothes moth:
Probably the moths we are most familiar Why moths matter: We know some of the Look at your property and see what plants
with are the pantry moth and clothes moth. problems associated with two types of you have that serve as hosts for butterflies
These moths are not actually feeding on moths, but why do moths matter? Are they and moths. A native tree will support hun-
your food and clothes. It is their larvae that beneficial in some way? Moths matter in dreds of moths and butterflies, which in
do the nibbling! So, it is important to focus the cycle of life. They are low on the food turn, will encourage many birds to live in
on treating the problem without ignoring chain and many other species depend on your yard. Native varieties of trees support
the larvae. Just killing the adult moth will moths and their larval stage, caterpillars, for thirty-five times more caterpillars than
not rid your home of the feasting larvae. their own food and that of their young. Bats, a non-native variety of the same species!
Both life stages need to be addressed. There birds, amphibians, and small mammals in- These trees attract the most species of moth
are a variety of approaches described on the clude moths and caterpillars in their daily and butterfly larvae:
Internet to manage these moths. nutrition. Night flying moths are a large part
of the bat diet, and birds catch caterpillars Oaks: host 534 species of moth and
Interesting facts about moths: to feed their young. If the moth population butterfly larvae. Imagine the differ-
Size – moths range in size from declines, it will have a ripple effect on many ence one oak makes!
smaller than a pencil tip to a wing- other species. Willows, cherries, and plums: 456
span of nearly a foot. Birches: 413
Mimicry and camouflage – some have To put this in perspective, chickadees have Poplar and cottonwood: 368
one brood each spring which they feed for
evolved to look like unpalatable in- about 16 days. Depending on the number
sects, including wasps, tarantulas, of chicks, the parents need to harvest as Maples and box elder: 285
and praying mantis. Some mimic many as five hundred caterpillar per day. Elms: 213
bird droppings to avoid being eaten. The adults also consume caterpillars for Pines: 203
Some do not eat – most moths suck their own nutrition through the summer,
nectar but the Luna moth has no so they are doing a lot of work to keep your Hickory: 200
mouth and does not eat during its yard clear of caterpillars that would be eat-
adult life. It lives about a week to ing your plants. Like a canary in the mine, moths play a key
mate and lay eggs. role as a signal to the health of our environ-

North Haven Magazine - Summer Issue 2023
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