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moth

 
Dictionary: moth   (môth, mŏth) pronunciation

n., pl., moths (môTHz, mŏTHz, môths, mŏths).
  1. Any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, generally distinguished from butterflies by their nocturnal activity, hairlike or feathery antennae, stout bodies, and the frenulum that holds the front and back wings together.
  2. A clothes moth.

[Middle English motthe, from Old English moththe.]


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moth
Any of more than 150,000 lepidopteran species, found in all but polar habitats. Moths are chiefly nocturnal and have a stouter body, duller colouring, and proportionately smaller wings than butterflies. They have distinctive feathery antennae and, when at rest, fold their wings, wrap them around the body, or hold them extended at their sides. Wingspans range from about 4 mm (0.16 in.) to nearly 30 cm (about 1 ft). The life cycle has four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar, or worm), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago). Both larvae and adults of most species are plant eaters, and many seriously damage forests, agricultural crops, and fabrics. See also bagworm moth; gypsy moth; hawk moth; luna moth; miller; saturniid moth; silkworm moth; tiger moth; tussock moth.

For more information on moth, visit Britannica.com.

 
moth, any of the large and varied group of insects which, along with the butterflies, make up the order Lepidoptera. The moths comprise the great majority of the 100,000 species of the order, and about 70 of its 80 families. The adult moth, like the butterfly, has sucking mouthparts, two compound eyes, and two pairs of wings that function as a single pair and are covered with flattened, dustlike scales. It is distinguished from butterflies by its stouter, usually hairy body and its unknobbed, often feathery antennae. Most moths are nocturnal in their habits, while butterflies are mostly diurnal. A moth flattens its wings against the surface on which it is resting, while a butterfly holds them horizontally. Moths range in size from species with a wingspread of 1/6 in. (2 mm) to the Atlas moth with a wingspread of 10 in. (25 cm). Many are protectively colored to match their backgrounds: their patterns may exactly resemble, for example, certain lichens or the bark of certain trees. Many others have large, eyelike markings on the hind wings that are thought to frighten potential predators. Moths undergo a complete metamorphosis (see insect), from egg through larva and pupa to adult. Moth larvae, or caterpillars, are wingless and wormlike, with a row of simple eyes on either side of the body. They have chewing mouthparts and feed on leaves or other plant material. Many do great damage, such as the bee moth, the codling moth, the gypsy moth, the clothes moth, and the cutworm. The pupa of most moths is protected by a cocoon, built by the larva just before pupating. The cocoon is often made wholly or largely of silk; the cocoon of the domesticated silkworm moth is the source of commercial silk. Some moths make a cocoon of bits of wood or of a leaf, glued together with silk; some pupate underground. During pupation the body form changes to that of the winged adult. Most adult moths feed on the nectar of flowers, and many plants depend on them for pollination. The short-lived adults of certain species do not eat at all. Among the large and beautiful moths of North America are the cecropia moth, largest of the E United States, and the pale green luna moth. Moths are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Lepidoptera.


Insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera; see arcyophora.

Dream Symbol:

Moth

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Moths live in darkness but are attracted by light. An answer to a condition or a problem that the dreamer has been kept in the dark about may be revealed and brought into the light.


Wikipedia:

Moth

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Moths
Emperor Gum Moth, Opodiphthera eucalypti
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
(unranked): Heterocera

A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. The differences between butterflies and moths are more than just taxonomy. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" (butterflies) and "Heterocera" (moths) are used to formalize the popular distinction. Many attempts have been made to subdivide the Lepidoptera into groups such as the Microlepidoptera and Macrolepidoptera, Frenatae and Jugatae, or Monotrysia and Ditrysia. Failure of these names to persist in modern classifications is because none of them represents a pair of "monophyletic groups". The reality is that butterflies are a small group that arose from within the "moths"[citation needed] and there is thus no way to group all of the remaining taxa in a monophyletic group, as it will always exclude that one descendant lineage.

There are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth, with thousands of species yet to be described.[1] Most species of moth are nocturnal, but there are crepuscular and diurnal species.

Contents

Etymology

Mating pair of Laothoe populi, or Poplar Hawk-moths, showing two different color variants

The Modern English word "moth" comes from Old English "moððe" (cf. Northumbrian "mohðe") from Common Germanic (compare Old Norse "motti", Dutch "Mot" and German "Motte" all meaning "moth"). Perhaps its origins are related to Old English "maða" meaning "maggot" or from the root of "midge" which until the 16th century was used mostly to indicate the larva, usually in reference to devouring clothes.

The study of butterflies and moths is known as lepidoptery, and biologists that specialize in either are called lepidopterists. As a pastime, watching butterflies and moths is known as butterflying and mothing. The latter has given rise to the term "mother" for someone who engages in this activity—sometimes written with a hyphen (moth-er) to distinguish it from its usual meaning. This confusion does not arise in speech as it is pronounced differently (/ˈmɒθər/, not /ˈmʌðər/).

Economic significance of moths

An adult male Pine Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa). This species is a serious forest pest when in larval state. Notice the bristle springing from the underside of the hindwing (frenulum) and running forward to be held in a small catch of the forewing, whose function is to link the wings together.

Moths, and particularly their caterpillars, are a major agricultural pest in many parts of the world. Examples include corn borers and bollworms.[2] The caterpillar of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) causes severe damage to forests in the northeast United States, where it is an invasive species. In temperate climates, the codling moth causes extensive damage, especially to fruit farms. In tropical and subtropical climates, the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is perhaps the most serious pest of brassicaceous crops.

Several moths in the family Tineidae are commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat fabric such as clothes and blankets made from natural proteinaceous fibers such as wool or silk.[3] They are less likely to eat mixed materials containing artificial fibers. There are some reports that they can be repelled by the scent of wood from juniper and cedar, by lavender, or by other natural oils. However, many consider this unlikely to prevent infestation. Naphthalene (the chemical used in mothballs) is considered more effective, but there are concerns over its effects on human health. Moth larvae may be killed by freezing the items which they infest for several days at a temperature below −8 °C (17.6 °F).[4]

Moths are sturdy and usually are more resistant to pesticides than are mosquitoes and flies.[citation needed]

Some moths are farmed. The most notable of these is the silkworm, the larva of the domesticated moth Bombyx mori. It is farmed for the silk with which it builds its cocoon. As of 2002, the silk industry produces over 130 million kilograms of raw silk, worth about 250 million U.S. dollars, each year.[5][6][7] Not all silk is produced by Bombyx mori. There are several species of Saturniidae that are also farmed for their silk, such as the Ailanthus moth (Samia cynthia group of species), the Chinese Oak Silkmoth (Antheraea pernyi), the Assam Silkmoth (Antheraea assamensis), and the Japanese Silk Moth (Antheraea yamamai).

The mopane worm, the caterpillar of Gonimbrasia belina, from the family Saturniidae, is a significant food resource in southern Africa.

Despite being framed for eating clothing, most moth adults do not eat at all. Most like the Luna, Polyphemus, Atlas, Prometheus, Cercropia, and other large moths do not have mouths. When they do eat, moths will drink nectar.[3]

Attraction to light

Time exposure at floodlight showing moth flight paths

Moths frequently appear to circle artificial lights, although the reason for this behavior remains unknown. One hypothesis advanced to explain this behavior is that moths use a technique of celestial navigation called transverse orientation. By maintaining a constant angular relationship to a bright celestial light, such as the Moon, they can fly in a straight line. Celestial objects are so far away, that even after travelling great distances, the change in angle between the moth and the light source is negligible; further, the moon will always be in the upper part of the visual field or on the horizon. When a moth encounters a much closer artificial light and uses it for navigation, the angle changes noticeably after only a short distance, in addition to being often below the horizon. The moth instinctively attempts to correct by turning toward the light, causing airborne moths to come plummeting downwards, and - at close range - which results in a spiral flight path that gets closer and closer to the light source.[8]

In 1972, Henry Hsiao, now a professor of biomedical engineering, suggested that the reason for moths circling lights may have to do with a visual distortion called a Mach band.[9] He says that they fly towards the darkest part of the sky in pursuit of safety and are thus inclined to circle ambient objects in the Mach band region.

Hsaio says that the celestial navigation theory should cause moths to circle lights, not to head directly toward them, as many are seen to do. He conjectures that moths, which are nocturnal creatures, must find a place to hide from predators when daylight comes, but cannot do so in darkness. Their instinct when morning comes is to fly toward the light (presumably up) and then down again, with some probability landing on a surface which matches their camouflage.[8]

A theory which has been advanced in an attempt to explain the attraction male moths have for candles specifically is based on olfaction. There is evidence that olfaction might be, in some cases, mediated by detection of the infra-red spectra of substances.[10] The spiky infrared spectra of a candle flame happens to contain a number of emission lines which coincide with the vibrational frequencies of the female moth's pheromone.[11] The male moth is thereby powerfully attracted to the flame. Other sources with different spike patterns, eg. hurricane lamps, are less powerful attractants.

Night-blooming flowers usually depend on moths (or bats) for pollination, and artificial lighting can draw moths away from the flowers, affecting the plant's ability to reproduce. A way to prevent this is to put a cloth or netting around the lamp. Another way is using a colored light bulb (preferably red). This will take the moth's attention away from the light while still providing light to see by.

Predators and parasites of moths

Nocturnal insectivores often feed on moths; these include some bats, some species of owls and other species of birds. Moths are also eaten by some species of lizards, cats, dogs, rodents, and some bears. Moth larvae are vulnerable to being parasitized by Ichneumonidae.

Baculoviruses are parasite double-stranded DNA insect viruses that are used mostly as biological control agents. They are members of the Baculoviridae, a family that is restricted to insects. Most baculovirus isolates have been obtained from insects, in particular from Lepidoptera.

There is evidence that ultrasound in the range emitted by bats causes flying moths to make evasive maneuvers because bats eat moths. Ultrasonic frequencies trigger a reflex action in the noctuid moth that cause it to drop a few inches in its flight to evade attack.[12] Tiger moths also emit clicks which jam bats' echolocation.[13][14]

Notable moths

Moths of economic significance:

See also

Gallery

References

  1. ^ http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/keynotes/spring01/moths.htm – The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
  2. ^ The First Decade of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States. USDA.
  3. ^ a b Scott, Thomas (1995). Concise Encyclopedia Biology. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 3110106612. Retrieved on 2009-02-06.
  4. ^ How to Manage Pests: Pests of Homes, Structures, People, and Pets
  5. ^ "Table 74. Raw silk: production (including waste)". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/AD452E/ad452e2a.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-02. "Table lists worldwide raw silk production 132,400 metric tonnes in 2002" 
  6. ^ "Silk Exchanges of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh". Central Silk Board of India. http://www.indiansilk.kar.nic.in/csb/Statistics/forexchg_tasar/forexchg_tasar_Local/SilkFlash/RawSilkPrice_tnap.asp. [dead link] gives silk prices in rupees. Exchange rate is about 50 RS to dollar.
  7. ^ "Silk Worm Farming". Vegan Society. http://www.vegansociety.com/html/animals/exploitation/silk_worm.php. Retrieved 2008-10-02. "World Raw Silk Production in 1996 is listed as 83,670 metric tonnes" 
  8. ^ a b Why are Moths Attracted to Flame? (audio) All Things Considered, August 18, 2007.
  9. ^ Henry S. Hsiao, Attraction of moths to light and to infrared radiation. San Francisco Press (1972) ISBN 0-911302-21-2
  10. ^ Wright, R. H., The Sense of Smell. CRC Press, London (1982)
  11. ^ Callahan, P.S., Moth and candle, Applied Optics 12, 3089-3097
  12. ^ Jones, G; D A Waters (2000). "Moth hearing in response to bat echolocation calls manipulated independently in time and frequency.". Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences 267: 1627. doi:10.1098/rspb.2000.1188. PMID 11467425. 
  13. ^ NationalGeographic.com
  14. ^ NPR.org, Some Moths Escape Bats By Jamming Sonar (video)
  15. ^ Tait, Malcolm (2006-08-28). "1". Animal Tragic: Popular Misconceptions of Wildlife Through the Centuries. Think Books. pp. 38. ISBN 184525015X. http://books.google.com/books?id=o8jDkO2fMTgC&pg=PA38&dq=sunset+moth&sig=0cilixqygrcbn_6e49-x5BH9uls#PPA5,M1. Retrieved 2008-02-19. 
  16. ^ ^ Brundage, Adrienne (March 23, 2009), Other Arthropods of Forensic Importance, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University Forensic Entomology Lecture

External links


Translations:

moth

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Moth

Dansk (Danish)
n. - natsværmer, møl

Nederlands (Dutch)
mot, nachtvlinder

Français (French)
n. - (gén) papillon de nuit, mite

Deutsch (German)
n. - Motte, Nachtfalter

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (εντομ.) ετερόκερο λεπιδόπτερο, νυχτοπεταλούδα, (μτφ.) σκόρος

Italiano (Italian)
falena, tarma

Português (Portuguese)
n. - mariposa (f) (Entomol.), traça (f) (Entomol.)

Русский (Russian)
моль, мотылек

Español (Spanish)
n. - polilla, mariposa nocturna

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - nattfjäril, mal, moth(plan)

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
蛾, 蠹, 蛀虫

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 蛾, 蠹, 蛀蟲

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 나방

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - ガ, イガ, 蛾

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) عث, فراشه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮עש‬


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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
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Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Dream Symbol. The Dreams Encyclopedia. 1995 ©Visible Ink Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Moth" Read more
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