MOTH

South African day-flying moth (Euchromia formosa) any of several thousand species of usually nocturnal insects belonging to about 47 families in the order Lepidoptera, which also includes the butterflies and the skippers. Moths vary greatly in size, ranging in wing span from about 4 millimetres to nearly 300 millimetres (about 1 foot). Highly diversified, they live in all but polar habitats. Like those of butterflies, the wings, bodies, and legs of moths are covered with dustlike scales that come off if the insect is handled. There are, however, several differences between butterflies and moths. Although some moth species are active during the day, moths generally tend to be nocturnal. Compared to butterflies, they have stouter bodies, duller colouring, and proportionately smaller wings. Moths also have distinctive feathery antennae, and, when at rest, they either fold their wings, wrap them around the body, or hold them extended at their sides. Like those of other lepidopterans, the life cycle of the moth has four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago). The larvae and adults of most moth species are plant eaters. Larvae, in particular, do considerable damage to ornamental trees and shrubs and to many plants of economic importance. The so-called bollworm and measuring worm (qq.v.) are two of the most destructive types of moth larvae. Some moth species (especially those of the family Tinidae, which includes the clothes moth) eat wool, fur, silk, and even feathers. Some of the better known moth families include: Gelechiidae, called the gelechiid moths, known for their destructive bollworm larvae that attack cotton, corn, tomatoes, and other crops; Tortricidae, or leaf-roller moths, a forest pest; Arctiidae, called tiger moths, including many brightly coloured tropical species; Olethreutidae, the olethreutid moths, including several destructive species such as the codling moth and the Oriental fruit moth; Noctuidae, the owlet moths, largest family of Lepidoptera; and Geometridae, the geometrid moths (or measuring worm moths), including the waves, pugs, and carpet moths.