What Do Moths Look Like?

Significance

• Moths and butterflies are the only insect groups that have scales covering their wings, for the most part. They also have the ability to coil up their proboscis, which is a feeding tube through which they garner nectar from plants. Moths will have feathery antennae that look like threads, while butterflies have antennae that are tipped with what look like minute clubs.

Types

• Moths can have wingspans of several inches or just a few millimeters. Moths that fly mostly at night are normally dull colors, such as brown, gray, white and black. Those moths that are out during the daylight hours can be brightly colored like butterflies are, so there is an awesome variety in the different shades that the moths can come in. For example, the very large luna moth is a lime green, while the silver spotted skipper is brown, orange, white and metallic silver.

Features

• Almost all moths have large compound eyes on their head and very sensitive antennae. Most species have a long tubular mouth part and a strongly muscled midsection that has two pairs of scale-covered wings attached to it. They possess three pairs of legs and have digestive, respiratory, reproductive and circulatory parts. The male moths often have smaller bodies than the females.

Function

• Many types of moths have special coloration features that protect them from the eyes of potential predators. Some have markings on their wings that resemble eyes, so that birds are confused and startled when the wings move. Some have such odd color combinations that the outline of a moth isn't readily obvious; this is called disruptive patterning. Others are the same color as tree bark or flowers, allowing them to blend in and be almost invisible.

Misconceptions

• The idea that adult moths eat clothes is incorrect. It is actually the larvae that damage fabrics, wool, carpets, curtains and the like. Only a very small number of species are responsible for this problem.