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MOTHS

Moths are insects in the order Lepidoptera along with butterflies. There are over 11,000 species of moths in the United States and 1,850 known moth species in Illinois – yes, there are more moths than butterflies. They grow in the metamorphosis life cycle made up of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar for moths), pupa (cocoon for moths) and adult. Most moths are noctural (awake at night), but some are diurnal (out during the day). Moths are an understudied insect due to limitations in the ability to research their behavior at night, but they have a strong role in pollination. The majority of moth adults eat nectar, but some, like the luna moth, do not have mouth parts and therefore don't eat. This small group of moths eat enough as caterpillars to get them through their chrysalis and adult stages. The adults only live for a short amount of time to mate and lay eggs. In the winter, various moths can be found in your garden in their egg, larva or pupa stage.