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Moth (order Lepidoptera)

InvertebrateInsectPollinator

Luna moth (Actias luna), a large pale-green moth with long tails on its wings.

Luna moth (Actias luna).

Image: Carlowenby, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Moths are insects of the order Lepidoptera — the same order as butterflies — and they vastly outnumber butterflies in species. Most moths are active at night, with scaled wings, feathery or thread-like antennae, and a coiled feeding tube (proboscis) in many species. The reference shown here is the luna moth (Actias luna), a large, pale-green moth with long hindwing tails.

Moths range from tiny species to giants with broad wings, and they are a cornerstone of ecosystems — as pollinators, and as food (especially their caterpillars) for countless other animals.

Note: moths are extraordinarily diverse, so habits vary enormously between species. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Moths live almost everywhere on land, from forests and grasslands to deserts, wetlands, mountains, and gardens, on every continent except Antarctica. Their caterpillars are usually tied to particular food plants, so moth diversity is closely linked to the variety of vegetation in a place.

Diet

The caterpillars are the main feeding stage, and most eat plants — leaves, stems, seeds, or other plant parts — though some specialise on materials like fungi, and a few unusual ones eat other things. Adult moths often feed on nectar through a coiled proboscis (pollinating flowers as they do), while some adults do not feed at all and live only to reproduce.

Behavior

Moths undergo complete metamorphosis — egg, caterpillar, pupa (often in a cocoon), and winged adult. Most are nocturnal and navigate partly by light and scent; males of many species detect females' airborne pheromones from great distances using their feathery antennae. Many moths rest by day, camouflaged against bark or leaves.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Moths are ecologically vital as pollinators (especially of night-blooming plants) and as a huge food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife. A small number are crop or stored-product pests, but the great majority are harmless and beneficial, and many populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and light pollution. Consult authoritative sources for specifics.

More photos of the moth

Luna moth resting on foliage, showing its eyespots.

Luna moth (Actias luna).

Image: Abigail Staffelbach, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Moth

What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
Both are Lepidoptera, and the line between them is not sharp. In general, moths tend to be active at night, have feathery or thread-like antennae, and often rest with wings spread or folded roof-like, while butterflies are usually day-flying with club-tipped antennae. There are exceptions to all of these, and moths are far more numerous in species.
Why are moths attracted to light?
Many night-flying moths are drawn to artificial lights, and the exact reason is still studied. Leading ideas involve moths becoming disoriented by bright lights when they normally use natural light cues (like the moon) to steer. Whatever the cause, artificial light at night can disrupt their behaviour.
Are moths pollinators?
Yes — many are important pollinators, especially of flowers that open or release scent at night. As adult moths visit blooms to drink nectar through their proboscis, they carry pollen between flowers, making them valuable to many wild and cultivated plants.
Do all moths eat clothes?
No — that is a misconception about a few species. The vast majority of moths never go near clothing. Only a small number of "clothes moth" species have caterpillars that feed on natural fibres like wool, and even then it's the larvae, not the adult moths, that do the damage.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.