Moth

Moths are a group of winged insects of the order Lepidoptera, the other well-known members of which are butterflies; they are characterized by dark or dull patterned wings. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (suborder Rhopalocera) and neither subordinate taxon is used in modern classifications. Moths make up the vast majority of the order. There are approximately 160,000 species of moth, many of which have yet to be described. Most species of moth are nocturnal, although there are also crepuscular and diurnal species. Moths have a multi-stage life cycle, and undergo complete metamorphosis. Winged adults generally lay eggs on or near plant foliage on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. Although most feed on plant matter, some species such as Eupithecia orichloris are carnivorous insectivores. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed will pupate, often after constructing a cocoon from silk. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out and slowly expands its wings to dry and harden, before flying off. Moths are commonly thought to eat clothes and fabrics, however it is only their larvae, caterpillars, which may consume natural fibres. Moths are very widely distributed across diverse terrestrial habitats and are found on all continents except Antarctica.