All About Moths - Moth Facts & Information

About Moths

Found throughout the UK, Moths are a fascinating insect belonging to the order Lepidoptera, which also includes butterflies.

Although sometimes seen as pests, Moths are a really important part of our ecosystem. They serve as pollinators and a food source for birds, bats and many other species of wildlife.

Moths undergo complete metamorphosis, with stages including egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. The caterpillars of many species are well camouflaged to avoid predation.

There are many species of Moths, and all exhibit different colours and markings and patterns. Some, like the Jersey Tiger Moth and the Elephant Hawk Moth, are very colourful, while others are more subdued to blend into their surroundings.

Moths vary greatly in size, from tiny micro moths to large species (Macro Moths) like the Death's-head Hawk Moth.

This insect is nocturnal, meaning they are typically active from dusk to dawn, with peak activity during warm nights. Some species are specific to certain times of the year, such as the Brimstone Moth, which is often seen in July.

Why Are Moths Attracted to Light

Moths being attracted to light, known as phototaxis, is a well observed but not fully understood behaviour. Here are some theories:

Navigational Hypothesis

It is thought that Moths use natural light sources, like the moon and stars, for navigation and maintaining a constant angle to these lights helps them fly in a straight line. Artificial lights are much closer and confuse Moths, causing them to head towards the light.

Escape Response

It has also been proposed that Moths fly towards the light as an escape response. The light might signal an open and safe space to them.

Mating and Attraction

Another theory is that the UV light emitted by artificial light sources might mimic the UV reflection patterns of flowers that Moths feed on. So, Moths might be mistaking artificial lights for potential mates or food sources.

Types of Colourful Moth Species UK

Moths are categorised into macro and micro moths based on their size. The macro moths are larger, while micro are smaller and harder to identify moths.

Jersey Tiger Moth

Known for its striking black and white forewings and bright red or orange hindwings, this is a Moth that is easy to identify. It is often found in flowery grasslands and urban areas.

Brimstone Moth

This Moth is recognised by its bright yellow wings with brown markings and is found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens.

Elephant Hawk Moth

Named for its caterpillar's resemblance to an elephant's trunk, this large moth has beautiful pink and olive-green colouring.

What Do Moths Eat?

As caterpillars, the Moths diet consists of leaves, stems and flowers from plants, Moth larvae are also known for eating fabric - but there are only two species that do this (Common Clothes Moth & Case Bearing Clothes Moth) - these Moths consume the nature fibres (silk, cotton, wool) found in clothing. 

Once they turn into adult moths, they survive on nectar from flowers and juices from rotting fruit and vegetables. However, some Moth’s will not eat at all as they only survive for a number of days.  

How Long do Moths Live?

Most adult moths live for a really short period of time, depending on the species, they can live anywhere from a few weeks to a few days.  Some species, like the Luna moth, live for about a week, focusing mainly on reproduction and not feeding during this time.

The larval stage can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Some species have larvae that overwinter, extending this stage up to a year.

Moth Breeding

From late spring to early Autumn, Moths will begin breeding. The first step is to attract a mate, using pheromones to attract a mate, the female will release these chemical signals for the males to detect using their antenna. 

Once they have located a mate, the courtship begins. This process involves behaviours and movements to show readiness for mating. 

Once the eggs are ready to lay, the female will lay them near a suitable food source. Depending on the species, this can include fabric, plants or food products. 

The egg stage can last from just a few days to several weeks. Once hatched, the caterpillars spend their time focusing on growth and development. 

Once fully grown, the larvae enter the pupal stage, forming a cocoon or chrysalis. During this stage, they undergo metamorphosis, transforming into adult moths. This can take a few weeks to several months.

Moth Predators

As a species, Moths have a real variety of natural predators, and serve as an important food source for many of these. 

Many birds, such as warblers, sparrows, and blackbirds, feed on moths and their caterpillars. Some birds even specialise in catching moths in flight or picking caterpillars off plants.

Bats are major predators of adult moths. They use echolocation to detect and capture moths during flight at night.

Certain wasp species, including parasitic wasps, lay their eggs inside moth larvae or pupae. The developing wasp larvae consume the moth from within.

Five Facts about Moths

1. There are over 160,000 species of moths worldwide, significantly outnumbering butterfly species. Moths belong to the order Lepidoptera, which also includes butterflies.

2. Most moths are active at night and are attracted to artificial lights, a phenomenon known as positive phototaxis. This behaviour often leads them to congregate around porch lights or street lamps.

3. Many Moths have evolved intricate patterns and colours on their wings that allow them to blend into their surroundings, providing protection from predators. Some species mimic leaves, bark, or even bird droppings.

4. Moths undergo a complete metamorphosis in their life cycle, which includes four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), and adult. This transformation allows for specialised stages focused on growth, development, and reproduction.

5.  Male moths often have feathery or elaborate antennae that can detect the pheromones released by females from miles away. This keen sense of smell is crucial for locating mates.