Moths are found all around the world and are closely related to the colourful butterfly. However, moths are not generally so brightly coloured as the butterfly as the moth is a nocturnal animal and so blends in to the darker surroundings.
Fast Facts about Moths
1. Some moths are notorious for their ability to impersonate other animals. To avoid being eaten, some moths have evolved to look like less palatable insects, such as wasps, tarantulas and the praying mantis. Some moths even mimic bird droppings.
2. Some moths don’t have mouths. For example, the beautiful Luna moth does not have a mouth — so cannot eat — and will live only for about one week, with the singular purpose of mating!
3. The world’s largest moth, the Atlas moth of Southeast Asia, has a wingspan of nearly a foot.
4. As with their butterfly cousins, moths are known to play a vital role in the pollination of plants as they flutter between them.
5. . Moths are highly attracted by alcohol.
6. Moths are great impersonators. Many moths have evolved to imitate other animals as a way to deter would-be predators.
7. Moths are herbivorous animals and therefore survive on a plant-based diet.
8. Moths predominantly drink the nectar from the plants using their long straw-like tongue and moths are also known to do a similar thing with sugary fruits and berries.
9. The moth has numerous natural predators throughout the world that include birds, bats,reptiles, amphibians, rodents and even other insects and larger spiders.
10. An average moth species has an adult life span of 2 weeks or less.
